The Real Reason Ant Anstead Is Still Devastated By Christina Anstead Split
In September 2020, Flip or Flop star Christina Anstead announced that she and husband Ant Anstead were breaking up, a separation that was confirmed in November 2020 with divorce papers. Though the split has undoubtedly been hard on both reality TV personalities — considering they share a child together — it looks like Ant has been taking it the hardest.
In October 2020, Ant revealed on his Instagram Stories (via E! News) that he was dealing with the aftermath of the split by attending a five-week "Breakup Recovery Program" — which, as anyone who has ever gone through a breakup knows, actually sounds like it could actually be pretty helpful. (As for how Christina dealt with the fallout, she purchased a yacht appropriately titled, "Aftermath.")
As of December 2020, the Wheeler Dealers star opened up to People about how he's handling everything a few months out. It's been difficult — but he's making it through.
Ant Anstead pulled himself out of 'a very dark place'
As Ant Anstead told People in December 2020, their shocking split "was a big hit," and it affected him more ways than one. "It really hit me hard. The impact on me, my sleep, my diet, my stress, it showed," he revealed to the magazine. "But I reached this turning point where I was either going to dwell in the darkness or I was just going to slap myself around the face a few times and say, 'Wake up; you're incredibly blessed. Focus on all the great things.'"
He explained that "every day is an improvement," and that he feels more like himself after getting himself out of "a very dark place." "There's no quick fix for a broken heart," Ant made sure to point out, but he's "making steps towards healing even if it's really slow."
The brightest joys in his life are his children: He shares 2-year-old Hudson with ex Christina Anstead, and has daughter Amelie, 17, and son Archie, 14, from his first marriage. Christina is also mom to daughter Taylor, 10, and son Brayden, 5, from her first marriage. As for Hudson's half-sibs on Christina's side, Ant told the outlet: "I hope that we'll always have a relationship. If they ever need me, I'll be there in a heartbeat. All five kids are the first priority."
Ant Anstead is leaning on his kids for support
Although some parents try to shield their kids from the harsh realities of divorce, Ant Anstead is leaning on his children for support as he goes through his split from Christina Anstead. His eldest children from his first marriage — Amelie and Archie — were informed of the couple's breakup via phone since they reside in the United Kingdom with their mother.
"It was a very, very difficult FaceTime call," the television host told People. "They loved Christina — they still do — and they really wanted us to work. I think every child just wants to see their parents happy." The split "was devastating for them," but the three have found comfort in one another. "They are genuinely my best friends," Ant gushed to the outlet.
As for his son Hudson, whom she shares with the Christina on the Coast star, he said he is fortunate for the little boy's love during this tough time. "This process without him would've been incredibly difficult," he admitted. "He's filled my heart. He really saved me." Despite Hudson's age, the pair is super close and they recently celebrated Christmas together in Arizona. "He and I have got this really amazing relationship between us," Ant explained. "We've got this dad-son bond, and, I'm telling you, he's one of the coolest kids around."
Ant Anstead filed for joint custody of Hudson
Although Ant Anstead may have a special bond with his son Hudson, he's going to have to share his love with the boy's mother. Just one week after Christina Anstead filed for divorce in November 2020, she filed for joint custody of the little boy. According to People, the reality star was "seeking shared physical and legal custody of Hudson."
Luckily, it looks like things are going well when it comes to sharing their son. "There's never been a scenario where I've asked for him and not had him and vice versa," Ant explained to the outlet. Ant plans on staying in the United States so he can be close to his youngest son, and he currently resides in Laguna Beach, Calif., where his ex lives close by.
It sounds like Ant is doing all he can to lessen the pain of his tough divorce, and many fans wish him the best.