Credit: Bravo
Jo-Ellen Tiberi explained why she was going so hard on Rulla Pontarelli amid her husband Brian Pontarelli‘s drama with his mistress on Sunday’s episode of Watch What Happens Live.
As she also addressed Kelsey Swanson‘s split from her ex-boyfriend, revealed who was “too much” at the Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip party, and reflected on opening up about her troubled childhood, the Real Housewives of Rhode Island star addressed rumors regarding her husband, Gary Tiberi, and her sister, Jen, and teased potential evidence of Brian’s polo day visit with his other woman.
“Initially, I think that I was being a girls’ girl. I really, truly felt like that, [but] after they called my job, the gloves are off,” Jo-Ellen declared on the May 10 episode of WWHL. “I don’t care. I was trying, and I truly do care about Rulla as a person. I do not care about Brian, but once you come for my job, like I said, I come for you.”
After noting that she didn’t regret swearing on her kids that Brian was still cheating, nor did she regret coming forward with photos the mistress shared, Jo-Ellen reacted to Kelsey suggesting on last week’s WWHL that Brian went to see his mistress amid the cast’s polo day because she was threatening to show up to the event if he didn’t.
“I guess you’re gonna have to tune into the reunion and find out who has proof,” she stated, pointing to herself.
Moving on to Kelsey’s past relationship, Jo-Ellen confirmed she knew Kelsey’s ex.
“They were together for a really long time. They were a great couple. He’s a really good guy. I really like him a lot,” she admitted.
That said, she doesn’t believe they will reconcile.
“I think they’ll stay separated and she’ll move on,” she shared, signaling Kelsey’s new romance with Bill L’Europa.
As for the RHUGT party, where Andy Cohen, 57, said some women from other franchises felt that the RHORI cast was “too much,” Jo-Ellen named one co-star in particular.
“There was a few people that were a little too much. I was not one of them. I was making friends, shaking hands. I think [Rosie DiMare] might’ve been a little too much,” she revealed.
But despite her issues with Rosie, Jo-Ellen admitted to regretting her comment about Rosie being evil and kids not liking her.
During Sunday’s episode of RHORI, Jo-Ellen opened up about being sent away numerous times by her mother amid family struggles.
“I think it’s hard. I think it’s gonna be a hard conversation. She knows what happened, and she knows what I’ve lived through. I think she’s apologetic, and she’s trying to change her behavior. It’s gonna be hard though, seeing that,” Jo-Ellen noted of her mom’s reaction to the episode.
Then joking that she trusts Jen the least with Gary, Jo-Ellen shared that the audience’s response to Jen wasn’t what Jen expected.
“Jen thought this was gonna be her big moment, and she’s like, ‘Everyone’s gonna love me,’ and everyone hated her, poor thing. [But] there’s nothing going on between them. I know that,” she stated.
Also speaking out was Gary, who was asked if the audience was reading too much into his dynamic with Jen.
“I think we’re best friends and that’s how we act with each other, and if it comes off a little flirty, so be it. Jo-Ellen knows the deal, so I think we’re in good shape,” he reasoned.
Later, on the RHORI: After Show, after confirming that she often double-dates with Liz and Gerry McGraw, Kelsey and Bill, and Alicia and Bill Carmody, and noting that Kelsey and Bill make a good couple, Jo-Ellen said her relationship with Rosie has changed the most due to the show.
“I keep on seeing little jabs at confessionals. She stopped answering my texts, [but] it’s okay. It’s okay. I’ll get her,” she stated.
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island season one airs Sundays at 9/8c on Bravo.