Rulla Nehme Pontarelli and her husband, Brian Pontarelli, are in it for the long haul.

The “Real Housewives of Rhode Island” stars opened up about their “difficult” first season on Bravo in light of Brian’s cheating scandal while chatting with Page Six at the 2026 “Virtual Reali-Tea” Awards, sponsored by Tri-State Cadillac, CoverGirl, Philo and Kahlúa.

“It’s difficult to go back and watch it, but I’ve grown as a person, we’ve grown together, and the most important thing is that our family is very strong,” Brian told us.

Rulla Nehme Pontarelli and her husband, Brian Pontarelli, reflected on his cheating scandal while chatting with Page Six. (Pictured above: Rulla and Brian at the 2026 “Virtual Reali-Tea” Awards.) Brian Zak/Page SixBrian (pictured above with Rulla at the 2026 VRT Awards) said he’s “grown as a person.” Getty Images

Rulla — who shares two children with Brian — described the period of time as the “most difficult chapter of [her] life,” sharing that having to “live it publicly was extremely difficult,” but they’ve since “moved past it.”

“I think the one thing I’d want the audience to know is that I was very authentic through and through,” she said. “There was no fabricating, there were no lies. It took a lot just to pick up the pieces and put myself out there again, but it feels good to be back.”

Brian, a Rhode Island-based podiatrist, fessed up to an affair that took place one year before filming for the debut season of “RHORI” commenced.

Rulla (pictured above with Brian at the 2026 VRT Awards) described the period of time as the “most difficult chapter of [her] life.” Brian Zak/Page SixHowever, Rulla (pictured above at the 2026 VRT Awards) said she remained “authentic” through the turmoil. Brian Zak/Page Six

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While he insisted it was in the past, most of the women in the cast — especially Jo-Ellen Tiberi, who came locked and loaded with receipts, proof, timelines and screenshots — strongly believed he was still seeing his “mistress,” later identified as Beth Walker, a Cranston-based medical aesthetician.

However, both Rulla and Brian — who tied the knot in 2016 — brushed off Tiberi’s evidence as fake.

The season ended with the news of Brian’s arrest after he allegedly placed a tracking device in Rulla’s car, which is considered a misdemeanor domestic violence offense in Rhode Island. Brian ultimately pleaded not guilty, and Rulla had the charges dropped in December 2025.

Brian’s past affair with another woman was a hot topic in the first season of “RHORI.” (Pictured above: Brian and Rulla at “Watch What Happens Live” in March.) Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty ImagesThe women, particularly Jo-Ellen Tiberi, were convinced he was still seeing his “mistress” while the season was filming. (Pictured above: the “RHORI” cast at the Season 1 reunion.) Clifton Prescod/Bravo via Getty Images

Despite their past drama, Brian told us that things have been more peaceful within their friend group.

“[The women have] gone easier on me, and easier on [Rulla],” he said on the carpet.

Rulla — who later joined her cast on stage to accept the VRT Award for “Best Cast” — echoed her husband’s sentiments, revealing during the live show that she and Tiberi have made amends.

However, Brian and Rulla confirmed to Page Six that their other cast members have gone easier on him in recent months. (Pictured above: Rulla at the 2026 VRT Awards.) Getty ImagesThe “Real Housewives of Rhode Island” cast (pictured above at the 2026 VRT Awards) won the VRT Award for “Best Cast.” Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock

“We’ve had an epiphany,” Rulla said. “Jo-Ellen realized that I have feelings, that I’m innocent; we’ve bridged the gap.”

“The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” Season 1 is currently available to stream on Peacock.