Rulla Nehme Pontarelli is continuing to rebuild her marriage to Brian Pontarelli after his cheating scandal. The RHORI star, who shares two children with Brian, admitted, “It took a lot just to pick up the pieces and put myself out there again.”
Rulla Nehme Pontarelli says she and Brian have moved past his cheating scandal
Rulla recently discussed the experience with Page Six at the 2026 Virtual Reali-Tea Awards. The 46-year-old said, “It’s difficult to go back and watch it, but I’ve grown as a person, we’ve grown together, and the most important thing is that our family is very strong.” However, she called the time the “most difficult chapter” of her life. She also acknowledged that having to go through it publicly was “extremely difficult,” but they have now “moved past it.”
“I think the one thing I’d want the audience to know is that I was very authentic through and through. There was no fabricating, there were no lies. It took a lot just to pick up the pieces and put myself out there again, but it feels good to be back,” she explained.
Rulla detailed how she learned about her husband’s 2024 affair during the April 5 episode of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island. The scandal first came to light in December 2024 after co-star Jo-Ellen Tiberi alerted her to the photos circulating on social media. A few months back, she also discussed the same on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
Brian, a podiatrist, revealed that he had an affair one year before production on the first season of RHORI began. However, several cast members, particularly Jo-Ellen, believed Brian was still involved with his mistress. The woman was later identified as Cranston-based medical aesthetician Beth Walker. Despite Jo-Ellen’s claims, Rulla and Brian, who married in 2016, dismissed the evidence as fake.
The season ended with Brian facing a misdemeanor charge after he allegedly placed a tracking device in Rulla’s car. The charge was filed under Rhode Island’s domestic violence laws. Brian pleaded not guilty to the charge, and Rulla later had the case dismissed in December 2025.
