Christina Haack and Tarek El Moussa have both moved on from their marriage since their divorce was finalized in 2018, but they’re still on friendly terms.
However, Haack’s second ex-husband, Ant Anstead, sees it a bit differently.
In the Feb. 19 episode of HGTV’s series “The Flip Off,” Haack invited Anstead to judge the latest round of the competition, which pits Haack against Tarek El Moussa and his wife, Heather Rae El Moussa, as they renovate and flip homes.
Before delivering his final verdict, Anstead gathered with Haack and El Moussas.
Haack teased Tarek El Moussa and said, “So were you bothering (Anstead) or what?”
“Your presence just being around him is bothering him,” he responded.
“No, he’s fine” Haack said.
Heather Rae El Moussa was curious to know how Anstead feels working with Haack again, following their tense divorce that was finalized in 2021.
Instead of answering the question, Anstead teased Tarek El Moussa and Haack, saying, “Once you guys stop flirting with each other, let’s get into it. Because we’re here to do a job.”
Tarek El Moussa played along and said, “I’m just an innocent victim. I just sit here and she abuses me.”
Anstead added, “We are both innocent victims.”
“We should get all of us together and start a boy band,” Tarek El Moussa joked.
Hoping to get the conversation going, Anstead said, “Stop flirting” once again.
“Ant, now you’re really going to be in trouble if you keep using that word,” Heather Rae El Moussa said.
While delivering his final verdict, Anstead revealed that Haack earned his vote and offered up a heartfelt explanation on how he reached that decision.
“I came into this endeavor thinking this was about assessing and judging based on the performance, the design, the execution, the house. But actually it dawned on me that it was so much more than that,” he said.
Anstead and Haack, who got married in 2018 and announced their separation in 2020, share a 5-year-old son named Hudson. After announcing their divorce, the couple embarked on a messy custody battle.
“Hudson is five now,” he said, talking to Haack. “And in those five years, it’s been really, really difficult. And that changed three months ago. The relationship that we have now is really, really important. And it’s been a transformation.”
“As parents, it took us four and a half years to get to that point, which is really shameful. You and I will be connected forever because we have a kid. So ultimately, I have to stand by the mother of my kid,” he added.
Tarek El Moussa was confused and asked, “What’s going on?”
Anstead then noted that he and Haack are “on the same team forever” since they share a son.
“My parents raised me in a way that says when you know who your family are you stick with your family. Regardless of rules, regardless of performance, when I left the house this morning, Christina had already won,” he said.
“Come on!” Tarek El Moussa responded.
Earlier in the episode of “Flip Off,” Haack explained that she and Anstead had reached a better point in their co-parenting relationship after her breakup with her ex, Josh Hall. It’s a sentiment he echoed while explaining why he chose Haack to win this round of the competition.
While Tarek and Heather Rae El Moussa were upset about Anstead’s decision, Haack was thoroughly pleased with the results.