Huda Kattan and Her Ex: What Most People Get Wrong

Huda Kattan and Her Ex: What Most People Get Wrong

Search for "Huda Kattan ex boyfriend" and you’ll likely hit a wall of confusion. Most people are actually thinking of her sister, Mona Kattan, and the very public drama with her ex-fiancé, Dominic Nowell-Barnes. Or, more recently, they’re getting tripped up by the 2025 headlines involving Love Island USA star Huda Mustafa and her boyfriend, Louis Russell.

But the real story of Huda Kattan—the billionaire behind Huda Beauty—is surprisingly low on "ex" drama. Honestly, it's kind of refreshing. While the internet loves a messy breakup, Huda’s romantic history is almost entirely defined by one person.

The High School Sweetheart Reality

If you’re looking for a long list of exes, you won’t find it here. Huda met her husband, Christopher Goncalo, when she was just a teenager. They were high school sweethearts in Tennessee. That’s basically a lifetime ago in the world of beauty moguls.

They started dating way back when she was studying finance at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Chris isn't just a husband who showed up after the fame; he’s been there since the "scrappy" days before the $6,000 loan that started the lash empire.

  • Met: High School (Cookeville, Tennessee)
  • Married: June 2009
  • Move to Dubai: 2006 (Before the brand existed)

Because they’ve been together since they were kids, there isn’t a "famous ex" in Huda's closet. Any "ex boyfriend" talk usually stems from fans misidentifying her or mixing up the Kattan sisters' lives.

The Mona Kattan Connection: Where the Confusion Starts

The search for a "Huda ex boyfriend" is often a case of mistaken identity. Mona Kattan, Huda’s sister and the mind behind Kayali fragrances, had a very high-profile relationship that played out on their Facebook Watch reality show, Huda Boss.

Mona was engaged to Dominic Nowell-Barnes, the founder of the Dubai-based brand The Giving Movement. They met on Tinder—a fact Mona was super open about. Dom even converted to Islam during their relationship. It looked like a total fairytale, but they called off the engagement in late 2020.

Mona eventually found her "happily ever after" with Hassan Elamin, marrying him in 2022. But because the sisters are so closely linked in the business, people often search for Huda's history when they’re actually remembering Mona’s TV drama.

The 2025 Huda Mustafa Controversy

Adding another layer of "Google confusion" is the recent fallout between Huda Beauty and a different Huda. In late 2025, Huda Kattan’s brand officially cut ties with Love Island USA contestant Huda Mustafa.

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The drama centered around Huda Mustafa and her boyfriend, Louis Russell. During an Instagram Live, a caller used a racial slur, and the couple’s reaction—which many interpreted as laughing or being dismissive—caused a massive internet firestorm.

Huda Kattan’s company released a firm statement: "At Huda Beauty, kindness and humanity are at the heart of everything we do." They scrubbed Mustafa from their marketing and ended the partnership immediately. If you’ve seen "Huda and her boyfriend" trending for the wrong reasons lately, this is likely the source.

Why Huda and Chris Almost Didn't Make It

Even though there’s no "ex" in the picture, Huda has been incredibly raw about how close she came to having one. Building a billion-dollar brand isn't exactly great for a marriage.

In several interviews, including a candid chat with Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, Huda admitted that her obsession with work nearly destroyed her relationship with Chris. There was a point where they almost divorced. She was working 24/7, and the balance just wasn't there.

They had to consciously decide to save the marriage. Chris transitioned into the business, eventually becoming the COO. By making him a part of the "Huda Beauty" machine, they found a way to stay connected while she built her empire. It’s a rare "happily ever after" in an industry that usually eats relationships for breakfast.

Identifying the "Ex" Search Intent

When you're digging into this topic, it's helpful to know which "Huda" or which "Kattan" history you're actually looking for. Use this quick mental checklist:

  1. Is it about a breakup on a reality show? You're likely looking for Mona Kattan and Dominic Nowell-Barnes.
  2. Is it about a 2025 brand controversy and a racial slur? That’s Huda Mustafa and Louis Russell.
  3. Is it about a high school sweetheart who is now a COO? That’s the real Huda Kattan and Christopher Goncalo.

To avoid getting caught in the "misinformation loop" when following beauty moguls or reality stars, always verify the specific person’s full name. The "Kattan" brand is a family affair, which makes it easy to swap details between Huda, Mona, and Alya.

If you're following the Huda Mustafa situation, look for official statements from the brand's verified Instagram rather than third-party gossip sites. For the Kattan sisters, their own YouTube "Behind the Grid" series is usually the most authentic source for their actual relationship status and history.

Stick to these verified narratives to separate the billionaire's steady marriage from the viral headlines of 2025 and 2026.