Some are Gold: Childhood Best Friends Christina Hall and Cassie (Zebisch) Schienle Open Up About Their Friendship
Christina Hall and her childhood best friend Cassie Schienle sit down with HGTV to discuss the timeline of their friendship, sticking together through college, motherhood and their careers.
Host Christina Hall (left) and her best friend Cassie (right) stand in Cassie's nearly complete kitchen in this Anaheim Hills, California home, as seen on HGTV's Christina on the Coast.
Designer Christina Hall — famous for her signature SoCal interiors — has been an HGTV host for more than 10 years. (Yes, she's a true coastal cowgirl.) And if you've seen Christina on Flip or Flop, Christina on the Coast or her newest show, Christina in the Country, you're likely familiar with her lifelong best friend and publicist Cassie (Zebisch) Schienle.
The two grew up in Anaheim, California, and have seen each other through good times and bad, both on and off screen. "Our friendship has such a natural ease and comfort to it," says Cassie. "I always knew we would be in each other's lives forever."
Ahead, Christina and Cassie open up about their meaningful friendship, their favorite moments together and more.
Christina and Cassie: A Timeline
Growing Up Together
When they met, Christina instantly knew Cassie was "the kind of person you can’t not like ... and if you’re lucky enough that she likes you, too, you’ll want to be friends with her for life." And it's certainly true: Today, nearly 30 years later, C&C (as they lovingly call themselves) have maintained an unbreakable bond.
It all began in middle school. Though the pair doesn't remember the exact moment they locked eyes on one another, they both knew it would turn into the best kind of friendship. They became close in high school and eventually attended San Diego State University together, where they became even closer — as in, living together, studying together (both majored in public relations) and, as Christina puts it, "just loving life with no real stress."
As roommates, they moved into a tiny cottage and shared a bedroom so small they had to sleep in bunk beds. "But all we cared about was being able to live at the beach," remembers Cassie. "We had so much fun."
Starting Their Careers
Once the duo graduated from college in the mid-2000s, they moved back to Orange County, California, to begin their respective careers
"We've done it all together, every step of the way," says Cassie. While she established herself in the PR world, Christina became an HGTV real estate guru, winning fans over with her breezy California-meets-country aesthetic.
Eventually, their careers aligned: In 2016 Cassie became Christina's publicist. The decision wasn't a tough one, but it also wasn't made lightly. "I didn’t want our personal friendship to be impacted by our working relationship in any way," says Cassie. "But I think [our friendship] is exactly why we're able to work so successfully together."
Because their bond is so strong, Cassie knows exactly how Christina will feel about certain projects and opportunities. “Since [2016], we’ve worked together on countless projects,” Cassie says. "I will fight to the end for her. I am super protective over Christina, and I will always support her no matter what."
I wish everyone could truly know the Christina I know and not just who they think she is based on what they see off TV or read about in magazines.
Cassie
Motherhood, Learning Together
When Christina had her first child, Taylor, in 2010, it was a no brainer: Cassie would be Taylor's godmother. "She is my best, most trusted, most responsible friend, so choosing her as godmother was an easy decision," says Christina. Cassie spent ample time with Taylor and Christina's second child, Brayden, during their early years. "Watching Christina become a mother through the years has been one of my favorite parts of our friendship," says Cassie.
In 2021, Cassie had her first child, Juliette. Eighteen months later, she gave birth to a boy, Jameson. Unsurprisingly, Cassie asked Christina to be Jameson's godmother. "[My husband and I] know the important role Christina will play in my son’s life as she helps to guide and shape his path in faith and the years to come," says Cassie.
Now, as a mom to two young kids, Cassie comes to Christina with questions. “I trust her as a mother so much,” Cassie says.
(From left to right) Christina hold's baby Jameson while Cassie's oldest, Jules, climbs the sofa.
On Christina on the Coast
During Season 4 of Christina on the Coast, Christina designed a nursery for Cassie's son Jameson. The sweet space boasts a navy-blue accent wall, a customized sign featuring Jameson's name, lots of storage and personalized touches. At Cassie's husband's request, Christina even found a way to incorporate a baseball theme subtle enough to please Cassie, too. “I would never trust anyone else with my home,” Cassie says.
Christina decked out Jameson's nursery in shades of blue.
The nursery isn’t the only space Christina has created for her BFF. In Season 1 of Christina on the Coast, HGTV fans watched the besties bond while remodeling Cassie’s kitchen, living room, dining room, bathrooms and basement. In Season 2, Christina completed Cassie's primary bed and bath. ("It's where we manifested my husband," Cassie reveals.)
In February of 2023, an emotional episode of Christina in the Country featured a home renovation for Cassie’s husband's sister, Dr. Jessica Waldron, who was diagnosed with ALS (a neurological disease that impacts physical function). Christina stepped in to make a wheelchair-accessible space for Jessica and her family. Though Jessica heartbreakingly passed away mid-renovation, Christina completed the meaningful project, and the renovated home became “a place for our family to heal and keep Jess’ memory alive,” Cassie says.
Christina and Jess discuss design plans during an episode of Christina in the Country.
The Best Friends Today
With five kids between them, Cassie and Christina don't see each other as often as they'd like, but they still text or speak on the phone almost every day. When they do get together (usually monthly), there's always a lot to talk about. “I don’t think we take a breath,” Christina says.
These two have done middle school, high school and college together. They've watched each other walk down the aisle, bonded over becoming mothers and worked together professionally. One might believe they've done it all, but according to Christina, the duo still has "a lot to do together.”
RICH LANDER/CHARD PHOTOGRAPHY
"Christina is so funny, generous and loves her children so much," says Cassie. "She has shown up for me in so many ways in my life and for my family that I will be eternally grateful for."
Watch Christina and Cassie in Christina on the Coast or Christina in the Country on Max.