Christina Haack’s Ex Ant Anstead Makes Controversial Move as ‘Flip Off’ Judge

Christina Haack‘s ex-husband Ant Anstead took on judging duties on “The Flip Off,” but there was one big problem. It turns out, it was very difficult for Anstead to separate their personal history from the job at hand.

Ant Anstead Makes Controversial Judging Decision on Christina Haack’s HGTV Show

Each week, Haack faces off against her first ex-husband Tarek El Moussa and his wife, Heather Rae El Moussa, on the house flipping competition. There’s bound to be drama, but when Anstead stepped in as a guest judge on the February 19 episode, things got pretty awkward.

How could Anstead be a fair judge when he and Haack share a son, Hudson? The outcome was exactly as most fans expected — Anstead had to choose Haack over the El Moussas.

Anstead told the HGTV stars, “I came into this endeavor thinking this was about assessing and judging based on the performance, the design, the execution, the house. But actually it dawned on me that it was so much more than that.”

He continued, “Hudson is five now. And in those five years, it’s been really, really difficult. And that changed three months ago. The relationship that we have now is really, really important. And it’s been a transformation.”

The couple went through a bitter divorce and custody battle, but are now in a good place.

Anstead explained why he had to give the win to Haack. “As parents, it took us four and a half years to get to that point, which is really shameful,” the TV presenter said. “You and I will be connected forever because we have a kid. So ultimately, I have to stand by the mother of my kid.”

Ant Anstead Reveals Christina Haack Won Before the Competition Even Started

Anstead revealed that Haack’s “The Flip Off” win was always going to be the outcome.

“It’s not gonna be something that you want to hear because unfortunately, it puts Christina and me on the same team forever,” Anstead said about them sharing a child.

He added, “Because of that, this judge is swayed. She’s on my team and you guys lose.”

There was no changing Anstead’s mind, either. “My parents raised me in a way that says when you know who your family are, you stick with your family,” he explained. “Regardless of rules, regardless of performance, when I left the house this morning, Christina had already won.”

He did drop a truth bomb on Haack, however, later telling her in private that Tarek and Heather’s house “is better than yours.” He noted, “It’s in a better location. They’ve done better mods.”

Anstead picked her for the win, believing it would give her “a fighting chance,” but advised the HGTV star to “up your game big.”