Phaedra Parks and Chris “CT” Tamburello are giving fans a new reality-TV romance to talk about.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta star has confirmed that her connection with Tamburello is more than just friendship, revealing that the two have recently started dating. Although their relationship is still in its early stages, the pair appear to be enjoying their time together.
Parks and Tamburello first met while competing on Season 2 of Peacock’s The Traitors in 2024. Their relationship on the show sparked plenty of attention, but the two did not immediately become a couple after filming wrapped.
According to reports, Tamburello had developed strong feelings for Parks during their time together on the reality competition series. More recently, he began making a greater effort to stay in touch, eventually turning their longtime connection into something romantic.
Phaedra Parks Confirms the Relationship
Parks recently addressed the speculation surrounding her relationship with Tamburello during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Jeff Lewis Live.
The reality star made it clear that their relationship is not simply platonic. She also revealed that Tamburello would be accompanying her to the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles.
Parks explained that she would be attending as his date because Tamburello was scheduled to participate in the ceremony as a presenter.
The couple also planned to travel to New York City together following the awards event, giving fans another glimpse into their increasingly public relationship.
Tamburello appeared to confirm that he was with Parks during the radio appearance by sharing behind-the-scenes footage of her from the studio on social media.
Their Romance Started With a Reality-TV Connection
Fans first saw Parks and Tamburello together on The Traitors in 2024, where their personalities and on-screen chemistry attracted attention.
Their connection appeared to remain friendly after the season ended, but Tamburello recently made a playful public move that suggested his feelings had changed.
Last month, the Challenge veteran posted a photo of Parks from the RHOA reunion and joked about needing someone to accompany him to the Emmys.
Parks responded with a flirtatious comment, essentially making it clear that she was already willing to be his date.
That exchange quickly fueled speculation among reality-TV fans, and Parks’ recent confirmation has now put those rumors to rest.
A New Chapter for Parks
The romance marks another chapter in Parks’ personal life.
The Bravo personality was previously married to Apollo Nida, with whom she shares two sons, Ayden and Dylan. Parks and Nida finalized their divorce in 2017 after several years of marriage.
She later had a relationship with Medina Islam, but the couple eventually split in 2021.
Now, Parks appears to be embracing a new relationship with someone who already understands the unusual world of reality television.
CT Has Also Experienced High-Profile Relationships
Tamburello brings his own complicated relationship history to the new romance.
The Challenge star shares his son, Christopher “C.J.,” with his former wife, Lilianet Solares. The pair divorced in 2022.
Before that marriage, Tamburello was famously engaged to fellow Challenge star Diem Brown. Their relationship lasted for years and became one of the franchise’s most memorable romances before Brown died in 2014 following her battle with cancer.
Tamburello later married Catalina Hager, though that marriage ended in divorce in 2025.
Reality-TV Fans Are Watching Closely
For now, Parks and Tamburello appear to be keeping things relatively relaxed while enjoying their new relationship.
Their shared history on The Traitors, playful social-media exchanges and recent public appearances have made the pairing one of the more unexpected reality-TV romances of 2026.
While the relationship is still described as new, the two already seem to have plenty in common — including a sense of humor and an understanding of life in the reality-TV spotlight.
For fans of Bravo and The Challenge, the biggest question now is where this unexpected romance goes next.
Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment and informational purposes. Details are based on publicly reported information and may change as new updates emerge.
