Rulla Nehme Pontarelli is standing by her husband, Brian Pontarelli, despite a season filled with shocking allegations, emotional revelations and one explosive finale twist.
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island star has spent much of Season 1 dealing with rumors about Brian’s alleged affair. The drama intensified throughout the season as cast members questioned whether Brian’s relationship with his alleged mistress was truly over, and it reached another level during the finale when viewers learned Brian had been arrested for allegedly placing an electronic tracking device on Rulla’s vehicle.
Despite all of that, Rulla says she and Brian are still together today.
During The Real Housewives of Rhode Island After Show, which was filmed in February 2026, Rulla gave an update on where their marriage stands now and insisted that things have actually improved between them.
“It’s almost like we rekindled what we always had, but obviously now, I’m very, you know, cautious, day by day,” Rulla said. “I’ve been taking things step by step, like with a different perspective. And I see Brian now, and he treats me like he always did before, but even 10 times better.”
Rulla and Brian share two children, son Luca, 8, and daughter Laila, 5. According to Rulla, Brian has been making an effort not only with her, but also with their family.
She said Brian has been putting “all his effort” into her and their children. She also shared that he has been “repenting his sins” in church and going to therapy.
Pontarelli even revealed that she and Brian are now “sleeping in the same bed.”
Her decision to stay has been heavily discussed by viewers, especially after the season showed her processing affair allegations in real time. At one point, the RHORI women discussed an alleged video involving Brian and his alleged mistress, though Rulla remained skeptical about what the footage proved.
“The reason why I, like, made certain decisions to kind of continue on is just because of who I am and what I consider to be important. That is all, you know, in the past. Major, major series of mistakes, but it’s definitely water well under the bridge, dead and buried, where it should be.”
She reiterated that she has “chosen to work on things with Brian” because she knows “all the aspects of our love and marriage that viewers don’t get to see.”