USA TODAY International Edition
Christina El Moussa redesigns her life
HGTV star has a new show and a new husband
PASADENA, Calif. — Millions of fans know Christina El Moussa from the HGTV hit “Flip or Flop.”
After a much-reported divorce from her “Flip” co-host, Tarek El Moussa, she’s back – as Christina Anstead – on a new HGTV series, “Christina on the Coast” (May 23, 9 p.m. EST/PST).
It follows her Southern California design business and her personal life after the marital split, including how she got the new last name: marrying Ant Anstead, who hosts the British car show “Wheeler Dealers.”
Anstead, 35, pulled off a surprise wedding in December at the couple’s home in Newport Beach, California.
Christina and Tarek El Moussa, who have a son and daughter, were the popular married stars of HGTV’s “Flip or Flop” and their split in late 2016 drew much attention. They continue to host the series, which is going into its eighth season.
Anstead spoke about the life changes Tuesday at the Television Critics Association.
“As you guys know, it’s been a challenging couple of years for me,” she said. “I’m currently helping Season 8 of ‘Flip or Flop’ … but when the divorce was going on, and everything was happening, I didn’t know where my career was going to be.”
“I’m really excited to do something on my own,” she said she told HGTV. “I’ve been known for design, so I think it would be awesome to be able to do a show where I just help people who want to design their homes.
“What’s really great about the new show is it also focuses on my personal life, getting engaged and getting married, which is really exciting.”
Anstead said she always has been adventurous in pursuing her career dreams, saying she had no background in real estate or design before diving in and learning about them.
“All my life I’ve been a risk taker and a go-getter. I’m one of those people that, if you want to try something just do it,” she said.
“If anyone here wanted to flip a house, you should try it. It’s so rewarding.”
Her ex, Tarek, is producing his own pilot for a potential new HGTV series on house-flipping.