Real Housewives of New York has seen new Housewife Leah McSweeney's ex-boyfriend Rob Cristofaro on some recent episodes. Even though they aren't together, they have a very solid rapport. The main reason why they've remained so close is that they have a daughter named Kier, aka "Kiki." In one of her confessionals, Leah summed up their relationship, saying, "Rob is my baby daddy/ex. It's really hard for people to understand me and Rob's relationship because it's so unique. We're basically like an amazing married couple that doesn't live in the same house and doesn't have sex."
During that episode, Leah revealed that Rob and her mom Bunny McSweeney expressed their concern after Leah admitted she's back to drinking after a nine-year break from alcohol. Leah remarked, "Rob and my mom are like my two rocks in my life. So, to have both of them questioning me and my mother not even talking to me, it's really upsetting." It's evident that both Rob and Bunny have Leah's best interests at heart and that it's something she really seems to appreciate. Leah and Rob appear to have the most amicable relationship that two exes could possibly have. Even so, there's a lot more to any human being than simply being someone's ex. Let's get to know Rob a little bit more.
He's A Lifelong New Yorker
Rob's LinkedIn profile confirms that his current location is New York City. In 2009, the New York Times reported that he grew up in Yonkers and White Plains, New York. His LinkedIn also indicated that he went to the School of Visual Arts, which is in Manhattan.
He & Leah Split In 2008
Leah told New York Post that she and Rob split up in 2008. In 2010, Leah appeared on another Bravo show The Millionaire Matchmaker where Patti Stanger set her up with another guy. However, Leah told The Cut that she blew off that guy because she and Rob wanted to give their relationship another shot.
He & Leah Amicably Co-Parent
In 2007, Leah told the Observer that they conceived their daughter Kier at New York Fashion Week the year before. In an interview with The New Order, Rob was asked to name the moment that changed his world and he shared, "I would have to say the day that my daughter came into my world. It is the step up from boy to man. Clarity sets in and it became time to level up." Leah has praised herself and Rob as parents throughout the years. In a May 2020 Instagram, she wrote, "One thing for certain is we have each other’s backs. Even through our ups and downs." In 2018, Leah joked "The only thing I think I’m kind of doing right in life is co-parenting." In March, Leah told The Cut that she, Rob, and their daughter Kier have dinner three times a week.
He & Leah Are Close Friends
Aside from nailing the co-parenting thing, Rob and Leah are actually good friends. He even played the part of Margaret Josephs' husband Joe Benigno when Leah reenacted the "your husband's in the pool" scene from Real Housewives of New Jersey on TikTok. She also gives him birthday shout outs every year on Instagram.
He Has His Own Streetwear Brand
Rob started his streetwear company Alife in 1999, according to LinkedIn. Rob explained the meaning behind the name of the company during a 2014 interview with Highsnobiety. He shared that the team wanted the name to "portray bringing inanimate objects to life" and that's how they decided on "Artificial Life" and shortened it to Alife. He summarized the brand as "Quality goods, quality projects, quality people. No bullshit. It is a New York experience that translates into all that we do."
He Has A Role With Leah's Brand
Rob's LinkedIn page says that he has worked in the art department for Leah's streetwear brand Married to the Mob since 2004. In 2007, he told The Observer, "I know that a lot of the guy brands were hating on MOB at first, and some still do, because it is a woman showing them how to get up in this tee shirt game." He also said, "I loved seeing these girls just show up out of nowhere and just kill the game." Aside from praising her brand, Rob also supports Leah's decision to join RHONY and he posted a congratulatory message on Instagram when the season started.
He Started His Own Creative Agency
In an interview with Freshness, Rob discussed starting his own company called Rob Projects, a creative agency that promotes clients who work in art and fashion. He shared, "My clients are brands or individuals that I believe in 100% for bringing something new into the scene which I believe is lacking."
He Has Worked With Drake, John Mayer, & Travis Scott
When Rob's brand Alife moved to a different location with a backyard, the company started hosting events called Alife Sessions outside. The first event was a freestyle jam session with John Mayer and Just Blaze. That initial success led to even more events and some pretty major moments. Drake and Travis Scott met at an Alife Session, according to Interview Magazine.
Rob has the potential to be on a Frank Catania/Mario Singer level of Real Housewives exes. He has a solid relationship with Leah and he's very interesting in his own right. If Rob becomes a permanent fixture on Real Housewives of New York, the viewers would be on board.
Sources: Rob Cristofaro, New York Times, Observer, The New Order, Leah McSweeney, Leah McSweeney, New York Post, The Cut, TikTok, Leah McSweeney, Highsnobiety, Rob Cristofaro, Freshness, Interview Magazine