Christina Haack (formerly known as Christina Hall), the HGTV star famous for Flip or Flop, recently stirred up some attention on Instagram when she posted a picture with her “great friend” Jared Merrell, which led many followers to believe she might be dating again, just three months after her split from her third husband, Josh Hall.
On November 2, 2024, Christina shared a warm and celebratory birthday post for Jared, who appeared in the photo alongside her, both smiling and posing closely together.
Christina wore a form-fitting white tank top, and Jared sported a graphic tee, with their arms draped around one another, clearly enjoying a moment of closeness. Christina’s caption read:
“Happy Birthday to my brother from another mother @jaredjstar25. Thank you for ALWAYS being such a great friend. Love you and your family so much. So happy to be celebrating you all weekend!”
The post was full of well-wishes from Christina’s followers, but many quickly speculated that this might be an announcement that Christina had moved on from her recent divorce.
Some fans were so convinced that Christina was introducing a new boyfriend that they left comments such as, “Next husband Lmao!” or “WHO IS YOUR MAN NOW?”
Others, however, were more cautious and admitted to jumping to conclusions, especially after Christina clarified that they were just good friends.
“Thought this was husband number 4 for a second there,” one fan wrote, while another shared, “I first thought she was introducing us to a new boyfriend I was like damn girl slow down!!”
However, a deeper look at the situation suggested that Christina and Jared are indeed just friends.
Christina reposted a photo from a friend that showed her enjoying a hot tub moment with a group of gal pals, including what appeared to be Jared’s wife, as her Instagram handle matched that of @mrsmerrill22.
The group seemed to be celebrating Jared’s birthday together, possibly during a getaway to Punta Mita, Mexico. The presence of Jared’s wife was a clear indicator that the relationship between Christina and Jared was purely platonic.
Divorce From Josh Hall
This post came shortly after Christina’s messy divorce from Josh Hall, which has been widely reported on due to the ongoing legal battles over spousal support and other financial matters.
Christina and Josh Hall, who had married in 2021, filed for divorce in July 2024 after almost three years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
Their split became public just as Christina was wrapping up the filming of The Flip Off, a reality show initially meant to feature both Christina and Josh, along with Christina’s first ex-husband, Tarek El Moussa, and his current wife, Heather El Moussa.
However, since the divorce filing, Josh has been absent from the project, and it’s unclear who Christina’s new partner will be on the show.
Christina and Josh’s split has had a ripple effect not only on their personal lives but also on their professional endeavors. Josh was initially involved in The Flip Off, but now, as the show continues filming, Christina is seen teaming up with Tarek and Heather.
The show, which is centered around competing to buy, renovate, and flip homes for the highest profit, seems to be going forward without Josh.
The trio of Christina, Tarek, and Heather has continued to post promotional content for the show, but none of these promos have featured Josh, signaling that he is no longer part of the project.
The divorce also brings to light Christina’s history with marriage. This marks her third divorce, following her previous marriages to Tarek El Moussa (with whom she shares two children, Brayden and Taylor) and Ant Anstead (with whom she shares a son, Hudson).
Christina’s relationship patterns have led to mixed reactions from fans, with some urging her to slow down and take some time for self-reflection.
Many are concerned about the impact her relationships might be having on her children, especially given the rapid succession of divorces and new relationships.
Some followers have voiced concern about Christina’s emotional well-being, questioning whether she has truly taken the time to reflect on her past relationships.
One commenter pointed out,
“She needs to slow down and do an inventory of her previous partners and why they did not work. Then be alone for a while with your kids and have fun. Leave the men alone until you are sure it’s right. Don’t be desperate!”
Others have suggested that she might be rushing into new relationships or public displays of affection without giving herself the time to heal and reflect.
On the other hand, Christina has always maintained a public persona that includes her professional commitments and her active social media presence.
She continues to be a major figure in the HGTV world, with her shows Christina on the Coast and Christina in the Country still airing.
Fans continue to watch her journey as she navigates both her personal and professional life, often offering both support and criticism as she moves forward.
Despite the drama surrounding her personal life, Christina has been quick to show her positive side, posting images of family celebrations, working on home renovation projects, and staying involved with her children, whom she shares with Tarek and Ant.
Her children—Brayden and Taylor with Tarek, and Hudson with Ant—remain her main focus, and Christina often shares moments of joy with them, reinforcing her role as a devoted mother.
As for the future, Christina’s fans will no doubt continue to follow her journey with keen interest. Whether she chooses to take a break from dating or is simply finding new connections, her life seems to be one of constant change, both on and off the screen.
Fans will likely continue to watch her as she faces the complexities of her personal life, career, and motherhood, all while balancing the pressures of public scrutiny.
