In 2004, Chávez joined a new telenovela Rebelde as one of the lead characters, Juan "Giovanni" Méndez López, a mischievous and rebellious student at a private boarding school in Mexico.

The success of Rebelde launched RBD composed of Chávez, Anahí, Dulce María, Christopher von Uckermann, Maite Perroni, and Alfonso Herrera.

In April 2011, Chávez released the provocative music video for his single "Libertad", featuring former co-star Anahí, which became an instant sensation on YouTube with more than 1,000,000 views within three days of its upload.

On August 14, 2012, Chávez released the highly anticipated album Esencial, an acoustic compilation of songs performed at his show in São Paulo, Brazil in January 2012.

Other notable songs on the album include "No Me Olvides", written for Chávez by Mexican singer Juan Gabriel, and a remake of "¿En Donde Estas?"

Chávez, who in October 2006 denied rumors of homosexuality,[14] declared in March 2007, in a message posted on RBD's website, that the photos showed a part of him that he had not been willing to discuss previously.

[15] The message, interpreted by many reports as Chavez's official decision to come out of the closet, made international headlines due to Mexico's traditionally conservative roots.

"[19] In April 2007, People en Español published a report claiming that Chavez and then-husband BJ Murphy maintained a physically abusive relationship, which Chávez denied.

[22] The reason for their separation had been the subject of much speculation, but Chávez insisted that their relationship did not end on bad terms: "[Murphy] is a person I love and respect; I also admire him as a professional.

"[22] In March 2012, Chávez confirmed he was dating Los Angeles real estate agent Ben Kruger after photos of them together were published in the tabloid TV Notas and later People en Español.

In the aftermath of the suicide attempt, Latin Times released a letter purportedly written by Kruger, describing what happened that led to his highly publicized arrest with Chávez a few months prior.

[28] In 2020, Dutch makeup artist Maico Kemper also came forward with domestic violence allegations stating he ended their relationship after a heated argument in which Christian smashed a bottle of tequila over his head and he lost consciousness.