Here’s Why Teresa Giudice Kept Joe’s Last Name After Marrying Luis Ruelas
The Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member also revealed what Louie thought about her decision.
Teresa Giudice and Luis “Louie” Ruelas exchanged vows in August, but she has yet to take his last name — and as The Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member revealed during a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, she plans to keep it that way.
Andy told Teresa during the December 5 show that several fans were curious about the decision, prompting her to respond, “Because it’s really my TV name.”
“Louie even said, ‘I think you should definitely keep your name,’” Teresa explained, adding that she had initially planned to make the switch from her ex-husband Joe Giudice’s surname. “I love him so much, so I wanted to change my name, but then he was like, ‘Everyone knows you as Teresa Giudice,’ ’cause, you know, this is my job. So I was like, ‘You’re right,’ and I left it.”
Four months have passed since the couple said “I do,” and lucky for RHONJ fans, they’ll be able to get an in-depth look at Teresa’s wedding planning process, the days leading up to the big event, and the ceremony itself when her wedding special premieres on Bravo next year.
“I always like to be unique and different and out of the box, so I can’t wait for you guys to see it,” Teresa teased during a November interview with E! News. “I can’t wait to see it.”
Fans got a brief glimpse at BravoCon 2022, where a one-minute clip from the nuptials was shown. In the sneak peek, Louie tells Teresa she’s “so beautiful” after she walks down the aisle, and then the couple proceeds to exchange vows.
Standing by Teresa’s side were her four daughters — Gia, Gabriella, Milania, and Audriana — who all served as bridesmaids along with Teresa’s RHONJ castmates Jennifer Aydin and Dolores Catania. Several Bravolebrities were also in attendance, including RHONJ’s Margaret Josephs and Jackie Goldschneider; The Real Housewives of Dubai’s Chanel Ayan; The Real Housewives of Miami’s Alexia Nepola; The Real Housewives of Potomac’s Ashley Darby; The Real Housewives of New York City’s Dorinda Medley and Jill Zarin; and The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Kenya Moore, Phaedra Parks, and Cynthia Bailey.
The wedding special is slated to air a week after RHONJ’s Season 13 finale.
Watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey on Peacock and the Bravo app.
