Christina Haack Says She ‘Did Not Enjoy’ Filming New Reality Series with ‘Insecure’ Ex Josh Hall

“When someone is insecure by you and doesn’t like to watch you win, that really puts a damper on everything,” Haack said

Christina Haack is speaking candidly about filming her soon-to-be-released series The Flip Off with ex Josh Hall.

The HGTV star, 41, told Entertainment Tonight that it had been tough filming her new show — which she stars in with ex Tarek El Moussa and his wife Heather Rae El Moussa — alongside Hall, whom she split from earlier this year.

“When someone is insecure by you and doesn’t like to watch you win, that really puts a damper on everything,” Haack told the outlet. “I feel like I was not shining as bright, to try to not make him feel emasculated. But who wants to live like that?”

“It was not fun, to be honest,” she added. “I did not enjoy filming with him, so having split up made this, to be honest, so much easier and so much better in every way.”

Related: Christina Haack & Josh Hall Are Happily Together in New Christina in the Country Episodes Filmed Before Split

Haack also told ET that if Hall had not left the series early amid their split, it “would have been hard to film.”

She also claimed that Hall had some “jealousy” over her ex-husband Tarek 43, with whom she shares kids Taylor, 13, and Brayden, 8.

“[Hall] doesn’t like our dynamic, because Tarek and I have our own dynamic, and some could call it ‘flirty,’ ” the reality star explained. “… For me, it’s like a sibling type of thing.”

Haack also told ET that her breakup from Hall “wasn’t news” to Tarek, as she had been “telling him that things were bad for at least a year,” or “probably 18 months.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

For his part, Tarek told ET that he also noticed the change while filming the show.

“At the beginning, she was going through it, you know, but she recovers really quick,” the former Flip or Flop star said. “You can just tell, her energy’s back. She’s happy. She’s excited about life, like, she’s doing good.”

Amid Hall’s departure from the show, rumors began swirling that Haack’s other ex, Ant Anstead, would be joining the show.

When asked whether fans would see him appear on The Flip Off, Tarek teased, “I think you will.”

Related: Josh Hall Moves Out Of His and Christina Hall’s Newport Beach Home Amid Divorce: PHOTOS (Exclusive)

Hall filed for divorce from Haack on July 15 after nearly three years of marriage.

The formerly Austin-based real estate professional cited “irreconcilable differences” and requested spousal support from the HGTV star. However, she responded with her own legal filing a week later, asking that neither be allowed to ask for spousal support.

Following the filing, Hall opened up about the couple’s separation on Instagram, saying, in part: “I prefer privacy, especially during something as life-changing as a divorce I did not ask for.”

He added, “I will not publicly badmouth anyone as people have families, friends and others who respect and love them.”

The Flip Off is set to premiere in 2025.