You Won't Recognize HGTV Star Heather Rae El Moussa In Throwback Sitcom Role
Heather Rae El Moussa is most known for appearing on Netflix's "Selling Sunset" and teaming up with her husband Tarek on the HGTV series "The Flipping El Moussas." While the California native has firmly established herself as a big name in the real estate sector, she actually kicked off her career in the spotlight as a model and actor. In fact, fans won't even recognize her in a throwback sitcom role, as the TV personality has come a long way since her early career (and is still ranking among the HGTV stars who can't escape plastic surgery rumors).
El Moussa had a small role on FOX's "'Til Death" back in 2010, credited as Heather Rae Young, with the house flipper appearing in the Season 4 episode titled "The Baby." The sitcom stars Brad Garrett, of "Everybody Loves Raymond" fame, and Joely Fisher as a married couple living in the Philadelphia suburbs. This particular installment centers around the couple's daughter, Ally, going into labor, with El Moussa arriving at the hospital on the arm of the starring duo's in-law, George.
El Moussa appears in the scene wearing her signature blonde hair in curls, along with a bodycon dress and platform heels. After reminding her companion that her name is Tina, she seats herself next to a character played by Martin Mull. "I'm a Lutheran," he says, referencing his priest costume. "I'm a prostitute," she responds blandly. The comedic moment might be just a small entry into El Moussa's long-running stint in the public eye, but it provides an interesting glimpse into the early days of her career.
Heather credits her early career for where she is now
Heather Rae El Moussa's acting credits extend past "'Til Death," with the HGTV star having small roles in projects like "Chillerama" and "The Internship." The star's early acting skills are showcased in a highlight reel shared to YouTube back in 2012, though the snippets appear to come from lesser-known projects. Besides acting, El Moussa also worked as a model during this period of her career, which played an unexpected role in her professional future.
In addition to appearing in campaigns for Carrie Amber lingerie and DSO Eyewear, El Moussa posed for Playboy magazine and was named Miss February in 2010. While she will never live down her inappropriate school visit outfit, the TV personality stands by her decision to model nude. "[A] lot of people ask me why I posed and why I did it," El Moussa wrote on Instagram in 2019, discussing a woman's right to choose and landing among the celebs who've advocated for abortion rights. "[I] won't let anyone make me feel inferior for my choices."
In fact, El Moussa actually credits both her acting and modeling gigs as being foundational to her career as a TV personality and luxury real estate agent. "If I hadn't posed for Playboy, I wouldn't have met the people who led me to where I am now," she told the magazine in 2020. "Playboy got me used to being in front of crowds and being good on camera. Meeting fans as a Playmate prepped me for the fans I have now, from the show."