'Flip or Flop' Hosts Open Up About Split

Tarek and Christina El Moussa announced their split earlier this week.

ByABC News
December 14, 2016, 3:23 PM

— -- Months after they secretly split, "Flip or Flop" hosts Tarek and Christina El Moussa are opening up about their shocking separation.

"We decided to separate while we reevaluated the next steps in our married life," the pair told People magazine. "We believed this was in the best interests of the children and the best way to determine a path forward."

The HGTV hosts went public with their split earlier this week, saying in a statement that they have experienced "challenges in their marriage" and are taking time apart to "reevaluate the future" of their relationship. The network released its own statement saying that the show will continue production as scheduled.

At the time of their split, police were called to their home "in an abundance of caution," the pair said in the statement, but "there was no violence and no charges were filed." ABC News corroborated that information with local police.

The pair gave People more details on what occurred. According to them, Christina called police after Tarek fled their home with a gun in his backpack following an altercation, People reported.

"Tarek was going on a hike and took a gun for protection from mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes and rattlesnakes," the pair told People, adding that Tarek agreed to turn over his weapon collection to police for 30 days.

Although they have no plans to officially file for divorce, both Tarek, 35, and Christina, 33, are trying to move on.

"We have both dated other people following the separation, but neither of us is ready to announce anything in terms of another relationship," the pair said.

Meanwhile, they plan to continue working together professionally.

"We plan to continue our professional life together by being professional, by doing our jobs well, by being prepared and by working hard," the pair said.

In addition to filming their show for HGTV, they are releasing a book, "Flip Your Life," in March.

But they said their No. 1 priority is their children, Taylor, 6, and Brayden, 16 months

"The most difficult part of the decision to separate was the kids," they told the magazine. "We want the best for them, and we’re doing everything we can to ensure that."