‘RHORI’: Get to Know Rulla Nehme Pontarelli’s Husband Amid Affair Rumors
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island is about to take Bravo by storm with its April 2 premiere. One of the ladies in the cast of the network’s hottest new show is Rulla Nehme Pontarelli, and judging from the previously-released trailer, she’s in for a lot of drama this season.
The trailer features Jo-Ellen Tiberi telling Rulla that her husband, Brian Pontarelli, was allegedly having an affair. “I want you to know that it’s happening currently,” Jo-Ellen claims. In another scene, Rulla denies the allegations, insisting, “This petty f**king s**t is trying everything to put stuff out there as if my husband’s involved or still involved, and that’s not the case.”
It’s not just Jo-Ellen who heard about the alleged affair, though, because Liz McGraw replies to Rulla’s comment, “But it is [the case]…” Jo-Ellen told TV Insider that she found out about the situation because of a photo Brian’s alleged “mistress” posted on Instagram. She also said Rulla “knew about the affair” before filming. Scroll down to learn about Brian, his relationship with Rulla, and more.
What does Brian Pontarelli do for a living?
Brian is a podiatrist at Rhode Island Foot Care. He works as a foot and ankle surgeon at multiple of the practice’s locations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Brian has been working with the company since 1999.
He attended Providence College in Rhode Island and earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University in Pennsylvania. His residency and surgical training were done at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island.
Per his bio, Brian “has a passion for sports medicine” and founded a local wound care center that has “helped heal many difficult wounds utilizing cutting edge technology such as hyperbaric oxygen chambers and synthesized skin derivatives.”
Do Rulla Nehme Pontarelli and her husband have kids?
Yes, Rulla and Brian are parents to two children. They have a son named Luca and a daughter named Laila.
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Why was Brian Pontarelli arrested?
In October 2025, Rulla accused Brian of placing a tracker on her car without her consent, according to NBC 10. This is a misdemeanor domestic violence offense in the state of Rhode Island. Rulla also filed for a no-contact order against her husband, according to a police report.
Brian was arrested and charged with placing an electronic tracker on a car without consent after police found a tracking device in the tire kit of Rulla’s vehicle.
Per NBC 10, Brian pleaded not guilty to the charge against him. “It’s an unfortunate incident,” his lawyer said. “He’s a good guy. He’s a professional, and he’s hoping to rectify the situation with his wife.”
The no-contact order was terminated shortly after the case was filed, and the charge against Brian was dropped in early December 2025.
Are Rulla Nehme Pontarelli and her husband still together?
Rulla has not given any updates on her relationship with Brian, but the two appear to still be together. When the charge against him was dropped in December 2025, it was because Rulla did not wish to move forward with the case.
“The complaining witness does not wish to proceed,” a note from the prosecutor read. “She never wanted [the] defendant charged. She is not in fear of him.” Afterward, Brian’s lawyer told NBC 10 that “things are going well” for his client and Rulla. “This was an unfortunate incident,” the attorney added.
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, Series Premiere, Thursday, April 2, 9/7c, Bravo
