Life is messy. If you've been following the HGTV universe for the last decade, you already know that "messy" is basically the brand standard for Christina Haack. But even for a woman who has lived her entire adult life under the glow of a production light, the recent turnaround with her second ex-husband, Ant Anstead, has been a total curveball.
Honestly, nobody saw this coming.
For years, the narrative was strictly "bitter exes." We’re talking about a custody battle so sharp it felt like it would never end. But fast forward to early 2026, and the vibe has shifted. They aren't getting back together—let’s kill that rumor right now—but they have managed to pull off a reconciliation that seemed impossible just eighteen months ago.
Why Christina Haack and Ant Anstead Still Matter in the Co-Parenting World
It started with a hug. That sounds like a cliché from a Hallmark movie, but it’s actually what broke the ice. Back in late 2024, right as Christina was reeling from the implosion of her third marriage to Josh Hall, she showed up at Ant’s house to pick up their son, Hudson.
She wasn't expecting much. Maybe a cold exchange of a backpack and a polite nod.
Instead, Ant gave her a massive hug. He told her he was sorry for what she was going through. For a couple that hadn’t even shared a friendly text in nearly five years, this was huge. That single moment of empathy effectively ended a feud that had been fueled by lawyers and public Instagram swipes since 2020.
By the time the cameras started rolling for The Flip Off in early 2025, the transformation was complete. Ant didn’t just show up as a guest; he acted as a genuine support system. He even joked on camera that he’d always pick Christina as the winner because they are "on the same team forever" for the sake of their son.
The Josh Hall Factor
You can’t talk about this peace treaty without mentioning the chaos of the Josh Hall divorce. That split was ugly. While Tarek El Moussa and Ant Anstead eventually found a groove with Christina, Josh went the opposite direction. He walked away with a $300,000 equalization payment in May 2025 and a whole lot of social media shade.
Funny enough, it was that shared "difficult" experience that brought the first two ex-husbands back into the fold. Christina even admitted that her relationships with everyone improved once Josh was out of the picture. It’s like the house finally stopped shaking, and everyone could see the foundation again.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Reconciliation
The biggest misconception? That they’re romantic again.
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They aren't.
Christina has moved on with Christopher Larocca, the CEO of Network Connex. They’ve been public for over a year now, and he’s been spotted at plenty of blended family events. Meanwhile, Ant is still linked to Renée Zellweger, despite some 2025 tabloids trying to claim they were on the rocks while she was filming in New York.
This isn't a "second chance at love" story. It’s a "second chance at being adults" story.
Breaking Down the New Normal
If you look at their social media now, it’s all about the kids.
- December 2025: They stood side-by-side at Hudson’s Christmas gingerbread performance.
- September 2025: They co-hosted a "chaos-filled" 6th birthday party for Hudson.
- January 2026: Christina shared snaps of her "blended fam" vacationing, proving the peace isn't just for the cameras.
It took them four and a half years to get here. Ant actually called that delay "shameful" during a 2025 episode of The Flip Off. It’s a rare bit of celebrity honesty. They realized that their pride was costing their son a peaceful childhood, and they finally decided to stop the bleeding.
The Actionable Truth for the Rest of Us
We might not have HGTV shows or Newport Beach mansions, but the "Christina and Ant" saga offers a pretty solid blueprint for anyone stuck in a toxic co-parenting loop.
First, stop the public performance. Christina stopped "smoking the toad" or looking for quick fixes and started working with a life coach. She took ownership of her choices. That's a big deal. You can't fix a relationship with an ex until you've fixed the anxiety inside yourself.
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Second, wait for the window. Sometimes you can't force a reconciliation. It took a major life crisis (the third divorce) for the guards to come down. If you're in a mess right now, realize that time—and a little bit of grace—can change the math entirely.
The goal isn't to be "besties." It’s to be able to stand in a school cafeteria together without someone wanting to scream. If Christina Haack and Ant Anstead can do it after everything they put each other through in court, there's a decent chance for anyone else too.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your communication: If every text to an ex is a battle, try the "Grey Rock" method or a parenting app to strip the emotion out of the logistics.
- Prioritize the "Golden Birthdays": Like Ant and Christina, pick the big milestones to show a united front, even if you have to fake the smile for the first twenty minutes.
- Forgive the "shameful" timeline: Don't beat yourself up if it takes years to reach a truce. The "transformation," as Ant calls it, matters more than how long it took to get there.