In his upcoming book, Flip Your Life: How to Find Opportunity in Distress — in Real Estate, Business, and Life, Tarek El Moussa shares his side of the story regarding his highly publicized split from his ex-wife and Flip or Flop co-star, Christina Hall. The book delves into the 2016 incident that involved a gun and ultimately led to their divorce. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE magazine, Tarek offers insights into that dark day and reflects on the challenging aftermath.
The couple secretly separated seven months before their split became public in December 2016, following an altercation that Tarek describes as a 'blowup' fight with Christina. During this incident, Tarek fled into a nearby nature area with a pistol, prompting Christina to call 911 and the park to be flooded with police. It marked the end of their seven-year marriage.
Tarek provides his perspective on that fateful day in Flip Your Life, stating that after a heated argument, he 'went out to our backyard in Yorba Linda and hopped over the fence.' While both parties agree on this detail, their explanations differ. Tarek claims that he wasn't fleeing but rather seeking exercise and scouting nearby trails after purchasing new mountain bikes. As the neighboring Chino Hills State Park is known for its wildlife, including mountain lions and bobcats, he brought along a .38-caliber pistol, which he refers to as an 'insurance policy.' He reveals that he had obtained a concealed-carry license a few weeks prior.
Unexpectedly, a helicopter appeared overhead during Tarek's exploration. Initially assuming it was responding to an emergency, he soon realized it was directed at him. An officer in the helicopter pointed a rifle at him, instructing him to raise his hands through a loudspeaker. More police swiftly arrived in off-road vehicles. Fortunately, the officer in the helicopter recognized Tarek and called out his name. Tensions eased as they lowered their weapons. However, this marked the beginning of a troubling period for the HGTV star.
Tarek vividly recalls sitting handcuffed on his driveway for several hours after the incident. Describing it as the last time their family was together, he paints a stark picture of Christina walking down the driveway, crying, while he questions what is happening. In the aftermath, he confides in PEOPLE that the weeks following their split were filled with both physical and emotional torment. He sought solace by isolating himself on his boat, engaging in heavy drinking and experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms from the testosterone he had been taking. Friends eventually intervened and guided him to a rehabilitation facility.
Tarek discloses how, in the midst of his separation, he felt abandoned by everyone, including magazines, outlets, and the network. He retreated from the spotlight for several months, residing in what he refers to as a halfway house. Despite his hardships, he remained determined to fight for the reunification of his family, eventually realizing that it was not in the cards when he discovered that Christina had moved on. Christina began dating Ant Anstead in 2017, which Tarek admits to finding devastating.
Flash forward seven years, and both Tarek and Christina have come a long way in their healing processes. Tarek holds no grudges against his ex-wife, acknowledging the challenges they faced due to his health issues and mental struggles caused by testosterone. Opening up about their relationship since the split, he affirms that it has improved and emphasizes their ability to communicate effectively, along with the involvement of his wife, Heather, and Christina.
Tarek shares that meeting Heather at a Fourth of July party in 2019 was a breakthrough moment for him. Since then, he hasn't looked back and expresses immense happiness and excitement for the family he has today. Tarek and Heather welcomed their son Tristan in January 2023, while Christina has also remarried – first to Ant Anstead and subsequently to Josh Hall in 2022.
The key takeaway from Tarek's book, Flip Your Life, is that he never gave up. Through perseverance, hard work, and the power of dreams, he managed to overcome his darkest times and build a new life for himself. The book, set to be released on February 6, offers readers insights into Tarek El Moussa's journey and his strategies for finding opportunities amidst distress, in real estate, business, and life.
