Ant Anstead: I Don't Want My Son 'Exploited' By Christina On Reality TV

Ant Anstead: I Don't Want My Son 'Exploited' By Christina On Reality TV

Home / Exclusive / Ant Anstead: I Don't Want My Son 'Exploited' By Christina On Reality TV

By Liz Walters on September 27, 2022 at 12:33 PM PDT
Updated on September 27, 2022 at 12:36 PM PDT

'Christina On The Coast' star Ant Anstead is asking a court to protect his son with Christina Haack from being "exploited" and humiliated by her on national television.

According to new legal documents, obtained by The Blast, Anstead is asking a divorce court in Orange County, Ca to give him legal custody of their 3-year-old son -- Hudson -- so he can control how much the youngster is exposed to reality television and social media.

In the filing, Anstead says "Christina has already exploited Hudson in numerous paid promotions on social media. I fear she also has footage of him, to be used in one of her 'reality' TV shows, without my knowledge or consent, and continues to film him despite my objections."

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Adding, "I do not believe it is in Hudson's best interests to be exploited as a "spokesperson, ambassador" or as a “model" for any products or social media campaigns. I would choose to turn down requests for Hudson to be used in such ads. We should preserve Hudson's right to choose for himself in the future."

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Christina Haack's Ex-Husband Wants Their Son OFF Reality Television

Ant Anstead: I Don't Want My Son 'Exploited' By Christina On Reality TV
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Interestingly, Ant claims it is public knowledge how many issues come with being a child star in Hollywood. He specifically describes his worries, saying, "The risks for a child working on a television production set (even if that “set” is Christina’s home) are innumerable and well documented. Putting aside the obvious pressures of working within a TV production environment, children involved in television production often have lingering issues that affect their welfare, worldview, and self-image, leaving them diminished and dependent upon the perceived approval of others for their self-worth. It is my goal to ensure that Hudson is allowed a childhood that is joyful, healthy, and natural, with as few stresses as possible, and this should be prioritized above creating commercial opportunity and content."

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Adding, "In a decade of experience within the industry, I’ve learned that standard construction of shows relies on the “Three C's": Comedy, Conflict, and Controversy. The goal of each show is to propel one or more of these narratives into the episode. This sometimes calls for re-shoots of scenes or crafty editing to make it appear as though something is comedic, or controversial, or to create conflict in service of increasing TV ratings. This is sadly the nature of the fast-changing landscape of reality TV ratings."

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Ant Anstead Says He Doesn't Want Son 'Exploited' By His Mother, Christina Haack

Ant Anstead: I Don't Want My Son 'Exploited' By Christina On Reality TV
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As we reported, Christina and Ant split after only a few years of marriage, and have been battling over custody of their son.

Anstead dropped the hammer in the newest legal documents, putting it like this, "I do not believe it is in Hudson’s best interests to be exploited by his mother for

professional and financial gain. As she insists that he should be, l ask the court to give me legal custody so I can make the decisions to protect Hudson and prevent this from

happening."

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Also, the 'Wheeler Dealers' host wants to make sure any money already earned by using his son's image is put away for his future. "I hope the funds Christina has received in the past paid posts in which Hudson appears, will be diverted to Hudson's savings account. If ultimately Hudson is compelled to appear on TV then l hope protections [similar to those under “Coogan’s Law"] can be a starting point and extended to reality TV and thus apply similar safeguards for Hudson," he wrote.

'Christina On The Coast' Stars Agree To Joint Custody Of Their Son

Ant Anstead: I Don't Want My Son 'Exploited' By Christina On Reality TV
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The good news is that Anstead says most other issues in their divorce and custody are settled, and says, "I want Hudson, as a normal three-year-old, to have an organic relationship with his mother and I will continue to fully support her in having physical custody of Hudson 50% of the time."

At this point, Christina hasn't responded to the newest filing, but we are guessing she is going to have something to say about it.

The case is ongoing.

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