Let's be real for a second. If you told anyone back in 2016—the year of the infamous "gun in the woods" incident—that Tarek El Moussa and Christina Haack would be vacationing together in Park City for New Year’s 2026, they would have laughed you out of the room. It just didn't seem possible.
The split was messy. It was public. It was the kind of thing that usually ends in "do not contact" orders and bitter courtroom battles. Yet, here we are. In 2026, the Flip or Flop duo hasn't just survived; they’ve basically rewritten the rulebook on how to be "famous and divorced" without losing your mind—or your career.
The Flip Off: How a Rivalry Saved the Brand
HGTV made a massive bet in 2025. They launched The Flip Off, a show that originally pitted Tarek and his wife, Heather Rae El Moussa, against Christina and her then-husband, Josh Hall. It was high-stakes. It was supposed to be a double-date showdown. But then, in typical Christina fashion, life threw a curveball.
The marriage to Josh imploded in mid-2024. Just as cameras were rolling.
Instead of the show being canceled, it became a fascinating study in resilience. Tarek actually stepped up. During the first season, there was this heavy, tearful scene where Christina apologized to Tarek for the past. It felt like a decade of tension just evaporated on screen. Honestly, it was the kind of "closure" most people only get after years of therapy, but they did it while flipping a kitchen.
By January 2026, the dynamic had shifted again. The Flip Off was renewed for Season 2 because people couldn't get enough of the "new" Christina. She’s solo on the show now (though she's dating businessman Chris Larocca in real life), and she's leaning into the "single mom boss" energy that her fans love.
Why the Solo Shows Died While the Rivalry Lived
You might have noticed that Christina on the Coast and The Flipping El Moussas both got the axe recently. HGTV did a bit of a "programming purge" in late 2025. Why? Because viewers are sorta tired of the polished, perfect "everything is fine" solo shows.
People want the mess. They want the truth.
When Tarek and Christina are in the same room—or at least the same zip code—the energy is different. It’s "flirty" but sibling-like, as Christina described it. They speak a shorthand language that comes from 1,000 house flips and two kids. That chemistry is what sells, and the network knows it.
The 2026 Blended Family Reality
If you follow them on Instagram, the New Year's 2026 posts were a trip. Heather Rae, Tarek, Christina, and her new boyfriend Chris were all in Utah. Together.
It’s not just for the cameras.
Heather and Christina have formed what they call a "deep friendship." They even did a "girls' night" vision boarding session at the El Moussas' new $5.2 million Newport Beach mansion. Think about that. The ex-wife and the new wife are literally planning their futures over wine. It’s unconventional, sure, but it’s remarkably healthy for the kids—Taylor, Brayden, and little Hudson.
What Really Happened with the Josh Hall Divorce?
A lot of people think the split with Josh was just "another divorce." It wasn't. It was expensive and legally brutal.
Christina was vocal about how much it cost her. She actually joked on social media about wearing $65 dresses because the legal fees were so high. The settlement, finalized in mid-2025, saw Josh walk away with multiple cars (including a Bentley), several properties in Tennessee, and a $300,000 payout.
The kicker? Josh apparently didn't love the "dynamic" between Tarek and Christina. He felt like a third wheel in his own marriage. It’s a common pitfall when you marry someone whose life is deeply entwined with an ex, especially when that entanglement is worth millions of dollars in TV revenue.
What Most People Get Wrong About Tarek
For a long time, Tarek was seen as the "villain" of the breakup. The 2016 incident, the alleged ego, the "King of Flipping" title.
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But Tarek’s 2024 memoir, Flip Your Life, changed the narrative. He was honest about his struggle with opiates after a back injury and the crushing pressure of cancer diagnoses. In 2026, he seems more grounded. He’s leaning into the "wellness" space with Heather, focusing on their son Tristan and building a real estate empire that doesn't just rely on HGTV.
He’s not just a guy with a hammer anymore; he’s a guy who survived his own "implosion," as he calls it.
How to Apply the "El Moussa Method" to Your Life
You don't need a reality show to learn something from these two. Their survival in the public eye boils down to a few very specific moves:
- The "Bounce-Back" Effect: Christina and Tarek both admit they can have a massive argument and be over it in five minutes. They don't let resentment simmer. They vent, then they move on.
- Putting the Brand (and Kids) First: They realized early on that their children’s happiness and their collective bank accounts were more important than their personal grievances.
- Adapting to the "New": When Christina’s third marriage failed, she didn't hide. She integrated it into the show. Being authentic—even when it's embarrassing—builds a trust with the audience that "perfect" people never get.
- The Power of the Pivot: When their solo shows were canceled, they didn't complain. They doubled down on the competition show that fans actually wanted to see.
If you’re looking to follow their lead, focus on the "next flip." Whether it's a house or a relationship, the past is just a series of lessons you've already paid for. You might as well use them to build something better.
Check out the premiere of The Flip Off Season 2 later this year. It's going to be a wild ride, especially with Christina’s new champagne line, Clé Cachée, likely making an appearance in every scene.
Next time you’re scrolling through their updates, remember: it’s not just about the houses. It’s about how they keep rebuilding their lives from the studs up.
Actionable Insight: If you're navigating a complex co-parenting or business relationship with an ex, take a page from the El Moussa playbook: focus on the "shared asset"—whether that's a child or a company—and keep the personal drama off the balance sheet. Efficiency in communication is your best tool.