You remember the headlines. Back in 2016, the HGTV world basically imploded when the golden couple of house flipping, Tarek and Christina El Moussa, announced their split. It wasn't just a quiet "we grew apart" statement. It was a chaotic, police-involved, gun-toting mess that left fans of Flip or Flop reeling. And right in the center of that storm was a man named Gary Anderson.
Most people know him as the "pool contractor." Some call him the man who broke up a marriage. But if you look at the actual timeline, the reality is a lot more nuanced—and honestly, a bit more heartbreaking for everyone involved.
The Incident That Changed Everything
Let's go back to May 23, 2016. It’s a date etched into HGTV history.
Police responded to a call at the El Moussa home in Yorba Linda, California, regarding a "possibly suicidal male with a gun." Tarek had hopped over the back fence and headed into the Chino Hills State Park with a handgun. Christina was inside, visibly shaken.
Here is the part most people forget: Gary Anderson was there.
He wasn't just some random guy; he was a contractor who had worked on the couple’s pool and was reportedly working at a neighbor's house that day. He was the one who told deputies he saw Tarek run out the back door. He became a primary witness in a police report that would eventually go viral.
At the time, the public didn't know Gary and Christina were anything more than professional acquaintances. But the rumor mill started churning fast. Was he just a witness, or was he the reason Tarek "blew off steam" in the first place?
Were They Dating Before the Split?
This is the million-dollar question. If you ask Tarek’s camp back then, there were "inappropriate texts."
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According to various reports from insiders at In Touch and The Wrap, Tarek supposedly found text messages between Christina and Gary months before the gun incident. The narrative was that Christina had "grown close" to the wealthy, twice-divorced contractor during their pool renovation in 2015.
Christina has always denied any physical infidelity. She maintains that no third party was involved in the breakdown of her marriage before the separation. But in the world of reality TV, "emotional affairs" are the fuel that keeps the fire burning.
Gary was 57 at the time. Christina was 33. He was established, wealthy, and—most importantly—he was a shoulder to lean on during a time when her marriage was becoming a toxic workplace.
The Short-Lived Romance
By December 2016, the secret was out.
Christina and Gary were officially "seeing each other." They were spotted walking hand-in-hand in public, looking like a couple that had finally escaped the drama. For a few months, it seemed like Gary might be the permanent replacement for Tarek.
But it didn't last. Not even close.
By February 2017, the relationship had fizzled out. Why? The pressure was immense. You've got the paparazzi following your every move, a bitter divorce playing out in the tabloids, and the fact that Gary was a key witness in the very event that ended her previous life. That’s a lot of baggage for a new fling.
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Sources later claimed that Gary was "blindsided" by the breakup. He reportedly found out it was over by reading Christina’s statements online. Honestly, that's a rough way to go. One day you’re the rebound guy helping a superstar find her feet, and the next, you’re a "forgotten chapter" in a news cycle that has already moved on to her next husband.
Why Gary Anderson Still Matters in 2026
You might wonder why we're still talking about a contractor from ten years ago. It’s because the Gary Anderson era was the catalyst for the "New Christina."
Before Gary, Christina was one half of a brand. After Gary, she became a solo powerhouse. The fallout of that relationship taught her (and the public) how to navigate a personal life that is constantly under the microscope.
- The Rebound Effect: Gary was the classic "transitional" partner. He provided stability when Tarek’s life was spiraling.
- The Brand Pivot: This was the moment Christina realized she could survive the tabloid fire. She didn't hide; she rebranded.
- The Tarek Connection: Interestingly, Tarek later admitted that seeing Christina with Gary was "difficult" but helped him realize the marriage was truly over.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Gary Anderson was some "homewrecker" who swooped in to steal a wife.
If you look at the facts, the El Moussa marriage was already crumbling under the weight of Tarek’s health battles—he was fighting both thyroid and testicular cancer at the same time—and the stresses of sudden fame. Gary was a symptom of a broken home, not the cause of it.
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He was a wealthy man who liked a beautiful woman. She was a woman in a high-stress marriage looking for an escape. It’s a story as old as time, just with more expensive tiling and better landscaping.
Actionable Insights for the "Flip or Flop" Fans
If you're following the lives of these HGTV stars, there are a few things to keep in mind about how these relationships actually work behind the scenes.
- Tabloids vs. Reality: Always look at the source. Most "insider" quotes about Gary Anderson came from people trying to protect the "El Moussa" brand during a delicate time for HGTV's ratings.
- The Role of the Contractor: In the world of high-end real estate, your contractor is often in your house more than your spouse. It’s a high-proximity environment where lines get blurred easily.
- Healing takes time: Christina’s rapid move from Tarek to Gary, then to Ant Anstead, and later to Josh Hall shows a pattern of "loving to be in love." If you’re looking for relationship lessons, the Gary Anderson chapter is a masterclass in why you shouldn't rush into a relationship while the dust from your divorce is still settling.
The story of Gary and Christina isn't just about a "fling." It's about the messy, human side of reality TV that the cameras usually try to edit out. It’s a reminder that even the most polished houses have foundations that can crack.
To understand where Christina Haack (formerly Hall/Anstead/El Moussa) is today, you have to understand the Gary Anderson era. It was the bridge between her old life and the independent mogul she eventually became. Gary may have been "hurt and blindsided" in the end, but he played a pivotal role in one of the biggest celebrity shifts of the last decade.