We’re finally learning what might’ve gone wrong in Christina Hall‘s romance with Josh Hall!
As Perezcious readers know, the Flip Or Flop alum has entered her third divorce — and this one came on very suddenly! One minute she was promoting a new HGTV series with her hubby, and the next they were filing divorce docs and fighting over finances. A People source already said the pair “had issues in the marriage for quite some time,” too. But now, we’re hearing just what those issues were! Turns out money has been a big problem all along…
On Wednesday, an insider told Us Weekly that the reality star as been “trying” to fix her relationship struggles for a while — but now there’s no turning back. They explained:
“Christina was trying, but things happened, and it just wasn’t working. Christina was done when she filed the papers. It’s hard, but she’s doing great.”
“Things happened”?? That’s a little ominous…
The source confirmed that the couple had been “having issues for a while,” adding that Josh has moved out of their shared home. Whoa! Because there was no prenup and Josh is already fighting for spousal support, an equal division of community property, and rights to their shows, well, the confidant thinks things could get ugly. Oh, no!
Aside from alimony (which Christina doesn’t want granted to either of them), the couple will have to figure out what to do with their $12 million Newport Beach, California home (the outlet confirmed they’re both on the title). Plus, Josh notably wants the rights to the Discovery and HGTV shows they developed, produced, or signed contracts on during the marriage. After linking up with Christina, Josh made some appearances and was a consulting producer on her shows Christina on the Coast and Christina in the Country. He was also set to be in The Flip Off — though they’re now filming that without him.
The fact the real estate agent is going after all of his ex’s assets has got to be a frustrating blow. Because apparently, money is what tore a wedge between them! The source spilled:
“Christina works very hard and is successful. She felt like Josh was not contributing enough to the household.”
OOF!
Another insider, though, defended Josh. They said he was working throughout the partnership. Still, that doesn’t mean he was making much, though. Just saying!
New York-based divorce attorney Dror Bikel, who has no connection to the couple, seemed to think Christina would have the upper hand in these negotiations, detailing:
“She’s the monied spouse, she was more successful. We know that because he’s seeking alimony and equal division of property and assets from the media program they have together.”
Dror thinks it’s unlikely he’ll get as much ownership of the TV show rights as he wants, adding:
“[The court] will ask if people are tuning in for her or for him. Is it equal? Her side will likely argue that people are tuning in for her, [and that] it’s not 50/50, maybe 80/20, so she will have claim over more of that revenue.”
Well, that’s good for Christina! Him being so easily removed from the upcoming show helps her case, too! Speaking about the show, the source continued:
“They are moving forward without him. It doesn’t matter [that] a show was announced. This is her life, and kids are involved.”
She’s gotta do what’s best for her and the kids, whom she shares with both exes Tarek El Moussa and Ant Anstead.
Sadly, money may not have been the only thing that impacted this romance. The attorney also speculated that this marriage may have been the latest victim of Fleeting Fame Syndrome, when people get together “under magical circumstances” that are unsustainable or fade when their lives become public. He named The Bachelorette’s Rachel Lindsay and Bryan Abasolo, The Real Housewives of Miami’s Alexia and Todd Nepola, and Selling Sunset’s Chelsea and Jeff Lazkani as other couples who may have been affected by this kind of thing, musing:
“Under any circumstances, fame is difficult to deal with. When partners react differently to life in the public eye, it’s difficult to maintain a relationship.”
The mother of three even hinted at relationship struggles last summer when talking to Us. She was reflecting on her former breakups, saying that divorce “is very hard,” especially “on the kids.” But she wasn’t going to stay in a relationship to avoid the hard stuff, she noted at the time:
“Things that I would put up with in my 20s are things I would never put up with in my 40s.”
Hmm. Guess she held firm to this new POV, even if it meant suffering through another divorce! We hope this split doesn’t get too nasty. But it’s never a good sign when insiders are bracing for the worst! Thoughts?? Sound OFF!