Christina El Moussa Gets a Makeover — See Her New Look

A Fan Once Helped Diagnose Tarek With Cancer

A registered nurse named Ryan Read was binge watching Flip or Flop when she noticed something odd about a lump on Tarek’s throat — and was suspicious it could be cancer (especially since it was paired with a cough).

Tarek took to the observation to heart and visited a doctor — who informed him it was cancer. He underwent surgery and treatment and now — fortunately — is cancer-free!

The Couple Was Seriously Hit by the Recession

Things weren’t always so easy for the El Moussas — and their business was seriously impacted by the recession and housing crisis of 2008.

“The beginning of our relationship was very tough and she rode the wave with me, never complaining about our situation. She was always by my side. She was filled with love even though we were struggling financially. We did not know how to pay our bills,” Tarek once gushed of his estranged wife. “I will never never forget when we had Taylor and she never bought maternity clothes because we couldn’t afford them. I will never forget going to Subway to split $5 Footlongs because that is all we could afford. I love her more and more every day.”

Christina Underwent IVF Before Conceiving Brayden

Having a second child was hard for the El Moussas due to Tarek’s iodine radiation, which can cause infertility. As a result, the couple turned to IVF (and sperm donation), and after two failed attempts at IVF, they welcomed their son Brayden.

Tarek and Christina Are No Strangers to Uncle Sam

As In Touch exclusively revealed, the reality stars faced some hard times when it came to their workshop Success Path, which teaches people how to flip houses. Several state Attorneys General became involved when several consumers claimed the El Moussas were ripping them off.

Tarek and Christina Met at a Real Estate Office

It’s no surprise their love for real estate runs deep — even before the show, the two met at work at a real estate office.

They Never Intended to be Reality Stars

In 2014 interview, Tarek explained how they landed their gig at HGTV.

“Being on TV is the last thing we ever imagine doing in our lives,” he said. ‘I always tried new ways to grow our business and one night, I said, ‘Honey, I am going to get us a TV show,’ kind of as a joke. She laughed and told me to go to bed. I looked online and randomly found a casting and here we are three-and-a-half years later. It was the biggest long shot in history but it somehow worked out.”