Million Dollar Listing: Why So Many Franchise Couples Struggle
Many Million Dollar Listing franchise couples struggle with their personal relationships due to long working hours and a hectic lifestyle.
The Million Dollar Listing agents who appear in both the New York and LA franchises are all either married or in committed relationships, and many of them have struggled to maintain the peace with their significant others. Selling expensive properties might afford the Million Dollar Listing stars a high net worth and lavish lifestyle, but the hours can wreak havoc on their relationships. Spouses and partners often take a backseat to the demanding schedules required of high-end real estate agents.
Ryan Serhant, of Million Dollar Listing New York, nearly lost the love of his life, Emilia Bechrakis, before finally tying the knot in 2016. The handsome and charming former actor took the NY real estate world by storm, quickly becoming a luxury property sales tycoon. When he met Emilia, an attorney, she was about to leave the Big Apple for a job in Geneva. Ryan’s hectic schedule, plus his inability to be emotionally vulnerable, did not earn points with her. The franchise couple struggled tremendously before Ryan’s boyish allure convinced Emilia to stay.
Real estate agent Tracy Tutor, of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, got a divorce from Jason Maltas in 2017, after 14 years of marriage. Jason initially made appearances on the Million Dollar Listing franchise, but they were short-lived because the couple was already struggling. In one episode, Tracy couldn't even remember what grade her kid was in, but she later posted on Facebook that Jason was “totally gaslighting” her on camera and that she was “bullied on every social media platform.” She said he looked at her with disgust and said, “Work much?”
Fredrik Eklund was one of the highest earners during his years on Million Dollar Listing New York, which first aired in 2012. His seven-figure salary, based on closing deals in the billions, has grown exponentially over the years. However, his love life has taken some hits. In 2019, Fredrik expanded his offices to LA, but NY was always his home. However, his husband, Derek Kaplan, whom he married in 2013, wanted LA to be home base, leaving Fredrik to juggle two coasts. They also had twins via a surrogate, adding more stress to the relationship. Derek, a painter, has had to spend many days as a lone stay-at-home dad. However, Fredrik has recently announced he’s leaving the Million Dollar Listing franchise, which will likely afford him more family time.
Being on a reality TV show naturally requires a time commitment, but when coupled with a career that involves ultra-wealthy clients, some living in foreign countries, it becomes a 24/7 business. In that sense, the Million Dollar Listing franchise couples probably struggle more than the average real estate agent or reality star in keeping their relationships afloat. Then when they start families, as Ryan, Tracy, and Fredrik have, the struggles multiply. Josh Altman experienced an impressive rise to fame in Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, but his unceasing pace in selling mansions almost cost him his relationship with Heather Bilyeu. She is an agent as well but still struggled with Josh’s unrelenting schedule. The couple has since married, and now Heather seems to have adopted her husband’s breakneck lifestyle.
However, that case is unusual. In fact, the latest casualty is Million Dollar Listing veteran Josh Flagg, who recently announced his pending divorce from husband Bobby Boyd. Viewers speculate their breakup is due to Bobby’s desire for children, something Josh has shunned in the past. However, chances are Josh has been making real estate his first love. After all, he’s worth $35 million. This is a franchise couple viewers will truly miss.
Source: Tracy Tutor/Facebook