’s CHRISTINA STARTINGEL MOUSSA Nearly a year after her marriage came apart following an incident involving a gun, the HGTV star (CHRISTINA) SHIRT: YSL;BLACKJEANS: ORCHID LOSTOPSHOP;RINGS:ANGELES; BP;EARRINGS: (TAYLOR) SHIRT: OSHKOSH; LEGGINGS:(BRAYDEN)H&M; SHIRT: CAT&JACK;HUDSON; JEANS: HGTV talks about that rocky relationship, working with her ex and why OVER she’s finally ‘genuinely happy’ AFTER DIVORCE

By EMILY STROHM Photographs by JANA CRUDER

42 March 6, 2017 PEOPLE PEOPLE March 6, 2017 43 going to take it one day at a time, but I know this was the right decision for us. A STRAINED Tarek and I are ready to move forward MARRIAGE with the next steps of our lives.” ot so long ago Christina El For the couple—who share daughter Taylor, 6, and son Brayden, 18 months— Moussa was in the backyard leading separate lives isn’t really a possi- of her home in Yorba Linda, bility yet. Just as Tarek filed for divorce Calif., rattling off Valentine’s this January, their hit seriesFlip or Flop Day plans. “Every year I like to returned to high ratings, and whatever go really cutesie, so I buy heart- their personal challenges, the pair are Pressure of Fame shaped balloons for the kids and decorate determined to stay united onscreen. As Flip or Flop took The El Moussas are currently filming off, “the more she the dining-room table,” she says. “For new episodes of season 7 and remain sparkled, the more N he regressed,” says dinner we’ll make heart-shaped pepperoni under contract with HGTV through a source. pizzas, then do movie night.” But this much of 2017. They also cohost a series year the romantic holiday was different— of lucrative seminars. With a real estate it was the first time in a decade she didn’t empire worth millions, they have plen- spend it with her husband. “I’m adjusting,” ty of incentive to work as a team. “It’s just normal to us,” Christina says. At a Christina says of ending her seven-year Feb. 10 joint appearance in Las Vegas, marriage to her HGTV costar and busi- “we had fun onstage together and went ness partner Tarek El Moussa. “We are home to different houses, but we both His Cancer Battle went home happy. It’s comfortable for Tarek took just us to work together.” one week off for cancer treatment, Why They’re Making It Work Getting there hasn’t been easy. In even shooting “I know couples who run businesses December it was revealed that the El as he underwent together after divorce,” says Moussas, who played a happy couple radiation. Christina (with Tarek on Dec. 15). in public, had been secretly separated “Either one of you stops or both of you can continue for the for months. The cause of the split was sake of your family.” disturbing: According to a Yorba Lin- da police report, a hysterical and cry- ing Christina called 911 in May 2016, believing her husband was suicidal after he fled their home with a gun following a heated argument. A heli- A Fertility Battle Christina miscarried copter and 11 officers were dispatched while pregnant to the scene. Tarek was apprehended via IVF. She was in nearby Chino Hills State Park and, on bed rest when while not judged dangerous by author- pregnant with her son Brayden. ities, was ordered to temporarily hand over his extensive gun collection. After a swirl of damaging speculation about his erratic behavior, the pair closed BOTTOM LEFT: SPLASH NEWS; TOP RIGHT: HGTV;(FAMILY) : CHRISTARENEE ranks, describing the incident as an “unfortunate misunderstanding” in a joint statement and suggesting that he had brought the pistol along on a hike to protect himself against mountain lions. (It is illegal to carry firearms in A Media Frenzy California state parks.) “I was surprised In a Feb. 13 interview at her home, how many people Christina was careful not to discuss thought it was a big exactly what happened that fateful deal,” Christina says of the split news. day—a source says the couple have an “We’re not used to agreement not to disparage each other. this kind of press.”

44 March 6, 2017 PEOPLE Still, she says it proved to be the break- ing point in a troubled union: “It just made me realize that us being separat- ed was healthier for both of us.” After the incident she packed up her children ‘I DON’T KNOW and moved in with their nanny for six weeks, returning to the family home WHAT THE once she knew Tarek had moved out. “I didn’t necessarily know that we weren’t FUTURE HOLDS, going to get back together,” she says. “It BUT I KNOW was after seeking therapy and trying to work things out that we both realized IT’S GOING this is for the best.” (Tarek El Moussa declined to comment for this story.) TO BE GOOD’ As they became rich as a house- —CHRISTINA EL MOUSSA flipping double act, the El Moussas discovered reality fame didn’t mix well with marriage. The California natives met while working in real estate in 2005 and wed four years later. “Like any couple we had our share of issues,” says Christina. “But we went through a lot in a short amount of time.” A suc- cessful audition tape led to stardom HAIR & MAKEUP: SHANNON RHODES; STYLIST:CANDICE LAMBERT/ ONLYTHE AGENCY;TANK: ALEXANDERWANG; JEANS: HUDSON; RINGS: TOPSHOP;EARRINGS:BP; PROP STYLIST: NANCI BENNET on Flip or Flop in 2013, but not long after, Tarek was diagnosed with thy- roid cancer. “I had never even known anyone with cancer, so it was a very scary time,” says Christina. Doctors recommended radiation, and Better Off Apart the couple, who had been “I feel that the trying for baby No. 2, opted decision we made to bank his sperm rather was right,” says than wait more than a year Christina (at her Yorba Linda for his system to clear. As home on Feb. 13). Tarek went through can- “There’s been cer treatment, Christina no doubt began a grueling two-year in my mind.” struggle to get pregnant via in vitro fertilization and suffered a miscarriage in 2014. Ultimately the El Moussas welcomed a son, Brayden, in 2015, but the stress- es intensified. Speaking engagements multiplied alongside a grueling shoot- ing schedule, and to keep up with their accelerating business interests, Chris- tina went back to work four weeks after having her baby. “It was too soon for me,” she says. “I was overwhelmed. Tension between me and Tarek was high.” Showing off their new infant in a 2015 interview and photo shoot for People, the pair joked about Tarek’s unwillingness to change a diaper and inability to handle household tasks.

46 March 6, 2017 PEOPLE sadness. Christina says sharing the news with her daughter was particular- ly heartbreaking: At first “we just tried to be really vague. We’re always remod- eling our house or the yard, so when I moved out with the kids temporarily, we didn’t really get into it, and she didn’t ask.” When the couple decided that rec- onciliation was not an option, “Taylor askedif wecould get backtogether,” she recalls. “We had to explain that some- times couples get divorced but that she and Brayden are our No. 1 priority. We’ll always be a family.” Even before their separation became known, the El Moussas began dating other people. Still, tabloid speculation that infidelity factored in the breakup has been devastating to Christina. “It’s completely false and couldn’t be farther from the truth,” she says. “Those rumors have really bothered me.” Although she has been photographed with contractor Gary Anderson, she says she’s single and a new relationship is the last thing on her mind. Both exes are sensitive when it comes to new romances. “Tarek and I

don’t discuss each other’s personal lives. (CHRISTINA) SHIRT: YSL;JEANS:CURRENT ELLIOT; RINGSAND BRACELETS: TOPSHOP;EARRINGS:BP; (TAYLOR) (BRAYDEN)H&M; DRESS: SHIRT: OSHKOSH HUDSON ; JEANS: It is what it is, and we are going through a divorce and we will be dating other people,” she says. “I’m happy for him Life as a Single Mom and whatever steps he takes in his life “The hardest part for me was and hope he’s happy.” being separated for my kids,” As she navigates the complexity says Christina. “The first night they weren’t at home I felt Behind the scenes those of divorce, Christina is focused on like there was a gaping issues were no laughing mat- ‘MY FOCUS her children first. “It’s easier to make hole in my chest.” ter. “We weren’t able to prop- HAS ALWAYS [coparenting] work than to not make it erly communicate anymore,” work,”shesays.Thepairsplittimewith she says. “It got to the point where we BEEN ON the children equally. “No matter what, weren’t even driving to set together.” I never want to say something about When they finally separated last THE KIDS. Tarek that my kids would have to read May, Christina felt relief. “I think the I LIVE FOR about later. That’stheir dad, and it’snot separation process begins long before my focus to put him down.” people actually separate,” she says. “So BEING A MOM’ Thus far the dissolution of the El by the time we officially did, I felt like a —CHRISTINA Moussa marriage has proceeded with weight was lifted off me.” The pair kept EL MOUSSA little ugliness, and the couple is com- the split secret from HGTV execs and mitted to working together in the others for months, “not because we future. But Christina is also realizing were trying to hide anything or deceive that playing half a real estate dynamic Watch the full episode ofPeople Cover Story: anyone, but because we’re private peo- duo may be over. She is pursuing her Christina El Moussa, ple. We just weren’t ready to make a big, own business interests, including writ- available now on the new public statement.” Whatever displea- ing a new book. “There are so many People/Entertainment Weekly Network sure that caused, the network and the unknowns, [but] it’s invigorating to (PEN). Go to people El Moussas quickly decided to remain know I am starting over,” she says. “It’s .com/PEN, or download the PEN app on your in business together. fun to be able to create my own destiny favorite device. But personally there has been great right now.” •

48 March 6, 2017 PEOPLE