Rulla Nehme Pontarelli is opening up about one of the most personal storylines this season, her husband’s past infidelity, and making it clear where she stands with her castmates.
During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Rulla reflected on watching the episode back and what surprised her most.
“I didn’t realize how much the women were backing with Jo-Ellen with this perpetuating stuff. And I didn’t really realize how much Jo-Ellen was going back and forth and engaging with the former mistress and it hurt.”
While viewers may have assumed she was upset with Jo-Ellen Tiberi for bringing the situation to light, Rulla clarified that wasn’t the issue.
“So I think the misconception was that I was and had been mad at Jo-Ellen but I actually was very grateful when Jo-Ellen showed me the photo and I think that’s something that has been misunderstood.”
Instead, her frustration stems from how far things went afterward.
“What I didn’t like was the fact that she engaged with the mistress and kept trying to come back with more. And the fact that she shared the news with not only everybody in town, every hair salon, every gossip queen, but the entire state of Rhode Island.”
Despite the situation, Rulla made it clear she doesn’t see her husband Brian Pontarelli as a bad person.
“I appreciate that she thinks I’m smart and I have no malice than her. I don’t think Brian is a bad person. I think he has made some mistakes and bad series of choices.”
Brian also addressed the episode himself, saying the way it played out didn’t fully reflect reality.
“I think what happened was a lot of stuff was edited out, what I hated was seeing the past come back. It was a while ago and I was a different person than I am now.”
He emphasized that his focus is now on his marriage.
“I realize what an amazing person my wife is. The only thing that matters to me is my wife and I want to move forward.”
Brian also denied ongoing involvement with the other woman during filming, claiming the only contact was negative.
He said he “was not engaged with this woman” and was only receiving “hate texts” from her.
With emotions still raw and tensions between the women unresolved, it’s clear this storyline is far from over, especially as Rulla prepares to address it further at the reunion.