Earlier this week, the news broke that Tarek and Christina El Moussa had separated after some kind of explosive fight that involved firearms. The fight was back in May, and they’ve apparently been quietly separated ever since, although they have still been filming episodes of their popular HGTV show, Flip or Flop. I hate Flip or Flop and I dislike Christina and Tarek, but I’m more on Christina’s side with this separation. If you told me that Tarek is a sweaty, creepy gambling addict who should not have access to guns, I would be with you 100%. Well, somehow Tarek and Christina have become this week’s big scandal or something, because they got the cover of People Magazine. They gave an interview too.
Nearly eight months after they secretly split, Tarek and Christina El Moussa are opening up about their shocking separation and the bizarre incident involving a gun.
“We decided to separate while we reevaluated the next steps in our married life,” the couple tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “We believed this was in the best interests of the children and the best way to determine a path forward.”
Though they announced their split on Monday, the Flip or Flop stars hadn’t been together since May 23, when a “crying and shaking” Christina called police after Tarek fled their California home with a gun in his backpack following an altercation. He then hopped the fence in their back yard and took off into the Chino Hills State Park as 11 police cars and a helicopter were dispatched. Once he was spotted, the reality star complied with police orders and now the couple say his “intentions were misread.”
“Tarek was going on a hike and took a gun for protection from mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes and rattlesnakes,” they add. As for his weapon collection (which includes five firearms kept “unloaded and in a locked gun safe”) Tarek agreed to turn them over to police for 30 days. Since then, both 35-year-old Tarek and 33-year-old Christina have been living apart and are trying to move on.
“We have both dated other people following the separation, but neither of us is ready to announce anything in terms of another relationship,” they say.
Despite their separate lives Tarek and Christina have no plans to split up their many businesses.
“We plan to continue our professional life together by being professional, by doing our jobs well, by being prepared and by working hard,” the couple explains. Currently filming for HGTV, they’re also releasing a book, Flip Your Life, in March.
For now, the couple says they has no plans to official file for divorce and their two children Taylor, 6, and Brayden, 16 months, are their No. 1 priority. “The most difficult part of the decision to separate was the kids. We want the best for them, and we’re doing everything we can to ensure that.”
His intentions were misread? Yeah, I’m sure that’s why Christina got the hell away from him immediately following the fight, right? I mean, I’ll cut her some slack – best case scenario, she’s trying to ensure that her kids have a good relationship with their father, and she’s trying to dial down the drama. Worst case scenario? Um, she’s only thinking about the money. It would not surprise me at all if they’re in debt up to their eyeballs, and the only consistent money they have coming in is through their HGTV deal. They’re worth more together than apart and they’re putting their brand before anything else. Maybe. Possibly. Who knows?
Christina got pap’d on Tuesday night, having dinner with a girlfriend. That’s her daughter Taylor.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet, cover courtesy of People.
One thing I can say, they’ve gotten hella good publicity out of this. I personally think both of them seem entitled and shallow, and it was pretty obvious they’ve barely tolerated each other for awhile. I don’t blame Christina, though, Trek sounds unstable. Hope the kids will be fine.
They love that HGTV money but viewers do not want to see a separated or divorced couple sharing a show. They want a feel-good vibe. The Neelys on Food Network had an apparently amicable divorce and they had to call it a day when it became public, even after faking it for a couple of years.
This messy split? Forget it.
I spilled some pizza grease on my favorite jeans last week & after two washes the grease stains still show down the front. They are in the donate pile but look like hers here. Is she dressed in the mom outfit of always having spilled juice down your front or are her jeans a style now?
I wondered about that, too! I thought a car had just driven by through a puddle & splashed her!
murphy’s oil soap, mc2.
magical stuff with grease stains.
Whats the bet she’s angling for a spin off from this? She is a fame wh*re.
I agree they are probably in debt up to their eyeballs.
All is not perfect in the world of spray tans and bleached white teeth, I just hope their kids have a healthy relationship with both and it doesn’t become a Kate & Jon + 8 scenario.
I guess I’m not a cynic at heart (who knew) but I liked this show and I thought they were a good couple. Obviously, a lot of the show is faked for the cameras, but I liked their designs and they always seemed to choose to do the best thing even if it cost more. I’m sure people that live in the neighborhoods that had property values benefit from a well done remodel aren’t complaining. Of course, reading this shows that a lot of terrible stuff must have been going on so I hope they all can move on and be happy.
He went for a “hike” with his gun, and, somehow, this was misinterpreted, and eleven officers and a helicopter showed up….right! Then she leaves him, right away….How stupid do they think people are ffs….I love HGTV and have been seeing their commercials, talking about how the Holidays are all about family and spending time together….Why wouldnt HGTV pull those commercials after this break up came out….
You know who’s breathing a sigh of relief during this whole thing ? Joanna and Chip!
Conspiracy theory —>>> What if HGTV leaked this information to TMZ on Sunday as a way to take the heat off the Gaines, because they make more money for the network and are better long term prospects for them?
Throw the El Moussa’s under the bus to save the Gaines!
Well, slap a tin foil hat on me because I thought the same thing!
Sherry , I think you’re on to something! It makes sense .
I thought the same thing!!! The Gaines are a cash cow right now with the shop, furniture line, inn, and speaking engagements. If the network knew it was just a matter of time before this information came out try probably pushed it along.
I’ve pretty much come down to watching the Property Brothers on Wednesdays now…when they seem to pile on their shows end to end, binge-watch style.
However, I refuse to add these folks to the empty buckets we’ve made into celebs, culminating in the fake president we have now.
That’s funny…the one show I really dislike is Property Brothers…just can’t watch it!
I read lot of smut but their story was the only one to make me feel super gross for reading it. I shall now go examine my feelings about this. Or I’ll just get back to work. Anything could happen lol
why on earth are they even talking about. letting alone thinking about, dating again after only 6 months apart?
especially with a toddler?
i dunno, man. i find people are really fast to move on, and i just don’t get it. does it not take time to work through the end of a relationship, then rebuild a new one with your own single self, and THEN look back into dating and such?
Tmz has the story. Her new boyfriend is one of their contractors and was a witness to what happened. They started dating months after 👀
I agree. I am sure they are probably living beyond their means. They seem to take too many risks and Christina also came across as high maintenance to me. I actually liked the show but the two of them get on my nerves b/c they have zero chemistry and they are so wooden when they are talking to the camera.
All that being said, I would not be surprised if this show is cancelled eventually.
We didn’t hear about this months ago because they had a season in the can and HGTV didn’t want to lose the money, so the story broke after they ran the shows. The fact that it is running the couple’s Christmas ad every 10 minutes, as my dvr of the other shows tells me, is absolutely bizarre and rather repulsive. My bloom of love is off the rose of HGTV right now for 1. promoting these odd money-grubbers in the first place (never watched this show because all they talk about is money while Christina looks like she can barely stand Tarek), 2. continuing to do so after what could have turned into a tragic family gun incident, and 3. treating the general public like they’re too stupid to understand any of this. And let’s not forget putting their name on a scam real estate seminar for ill-gotten cash off betting on the stupidity of common folk who want to glimpse a “star”. I guess Christina will be on Dancing with the Stars next.
Nice Louis Vuittion bag. Lol. I’m sure they have so much money that they don’t care if them being together makes them more money at this point.. it’s better to just be apart.