After seven years of marriage, the couple officially split up. The couple made a public statement in December 2016 “Like many couples, we have had challenges in our marriage.” Despite the couple’s separation announcement, they expressed that they will still continue to go to counseling as they decided on the future of their marriage.
With two children involved, divorce wasn’t an easy decision to make. Not to mention that Tarek and Christina El Moussa still had a contract to abide by, requiring them to film several more episodes together in 2017, however awkward it would be.
Flip or Flop Hosts’ Relationship
They say don't mix business with pleasure, and this seemed like it was the case for HGTV’s "Flip or Flop" hosts, Tarek El Moussa and Christina Anstead (formally El Moussa). These real estate agents would purchase foreclosed homes in Orange County, California, and renovate them into spectacular dwellings, while the entire process was documented for the show. They seemed like the ultimate husband-and-wife duo.
In 2016, reports of the couple not getting along began to emerge, fighting both at home and on the production set. And then, their most dramatic fallout happened. On May 23, 2016, after a heated argument, Tarek reportedly took his handgun and went off to the hiking trail behind their Orange County home. Christina, frightened, called the police and she was concerned Tarek would hurt himself. A helicopter that flew over found him and escorted him back to his home. Tarek claimed that he was just trying to "blow off some steam."
Christina Moved on Quickly
To many's surprise, Christina began dating their contractor, Gary Anderson. So Tarek's hope of patching things up and saving their marriage seemed futile. El Moussa also took it as a stab in the back because he knew Anderson personally, and everyone knew about his contractor's two messy divorces. So what was Christina thinking?
In March of 2017, Tarek El Moussa finally spoke out, "It was a gradual thing over time. We were both very busy people with health issues and kids...we just grew apart," he told US Weekly. Apparently, Christina's relationship with the contractor didn't last long, and later she began dating and eventually married English Television presenter, Ant Anstead, taking his last name. This didn't last long either, and their relationship ended in 2021.
Fixer Upper Skipped Lead Abatement
Chip and Joanna Gaines’ TV series "Fixer Upper" revolves around their company, Magnolia Homes, renovating old houses around Waco, Texas. Some of the houses they work on are decades old, and the ones built before 1978 were painted with lead-based paint before their use was banned.
After a few episodes aired, the question arose whether the Gaines were getting rid of the toxic paint properly. When the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigated Magnolia Homes’ handling of lead-based paint, they found that 33 properties they worked on were in violation. As a result, the couple had to pay a $40,000 fine and complete $160,000 worth of lead abatement work to resolve the issue.
For Display Purposes Only
On the show, "Fixer Upper", the homes at the end of each show are always equipped with the most stunning furniture and décor. The homeowners are usually speechless when they see their new homes. However, it turns out that the "Fixer Upper" families don’t actually get to enjoy the magnificent interior we see on television.
Talk about a letdown! The viewers that have an eye for details have even noticed that certain pieces were seen multiple times in different houses, and when the network was questioned about it on their website. The Gaines stated that the families have the option to purchase the furnishing but it all "depends on their budget."