HGTV fans who have been following Christina Haack ‘s journey over the years are familiar with her longtime friend and design partner James Bender, which is why there’s been some confusion over his absence on The Flip Off.

After months of speculating that right-hand man James Bender or even ex-husband Ant Anstead would join, The Flip Off premiere revealed that Haack has a team rallying behind her. Here's what we know.

A lot if you’re Christina Haack as a popular staple of HGTV thanks to shows like Flip or Flop, Christina on the Coast, and the current hit The Flip Off. It wasn’t until recently that the real estate investor and television personality set the record straight after the rotation of last names and what will stick.

In 2024, Haack made headlines for agreeing to team up with her third husband, Josh Hall, to go against the El Moussas in a home makeover challenge. But Haack and Hall split during the early days of filming amid tensions evidenced in the series' Jan. 29 premiere.

Christina Haack poked fun at Josh Hall's swift exit after they were previously a team on HGTV's 'The Flip Off'

On Weds. night’s episode, viewers got a preview of Anstead’s tough love towards Christina as he takes his judging responsibilities on the show very seriously