Gia Giudice wasn't born into the spotlight, but she quickly rose to fame at an early age
thanks to her reality star parents - The Real Housewives of New Jersey's Teresa and
Joe Giudice. But there's a lot more to Gia than the infamous drama that surrounds her family.
Here's her stunning transformation. In 2009, The Real Housewives of New Jersey
made its debut, and Joe and Teresa's eldest daughter Gia became an instant
TV personality at just 7 years old. And when mom Teresa wasn't busy getting into
tiffs with the other women on the show, she was hustling as a stage mom for Gia,
who had shown a passion for the stage. And, of course, fans couldn't get enough.
"Gia come over here."
"What?"
"Let me put some gloss on you."
Throughout the more than 10-year run of the reality show, Gia has been seen
taking dance classes and performing in recitals, all while mom Teresa cheered
her on from the front row. A self-professed non-stage mom, Teresa once said on the show,
"I'm just so proud of her, and she totally has what it takes to make it."
"Gia just loves the camera." It was no surprise to Housewives
fans that Gia developed a strong interest in music, but she sent shock waves through the
entertainment industry when she released her first music video with the girl group
3KT at the age of 13 - a cover of the Britney Spears hit "Circus." According to Us Weekly, Gia
and her pals Alexa Maetta and Cristina Cardinale had formed the group early in the summer of 2014,
and they took to YouTube to share their debut video in October of that same year.
The girls were featured singing and dancing in adult-themed costumes, leaving some fans to wonder
if the visuals were appropriate for their age, considering Gia had barely entered her teens. But,
from the outside, it appeared her budding interest in the music industry may have come at the perfect
time. For Gia, it could have been a welcome distraction from her home life, while her
parents were in the midst of what was about to become some truly life-altering legal drama.
After months of grueling court battles that ultimately landed both of Gia's parents in jail,
the day that her mom, Teresa, was to begin serving her 15-month prison sentence finally
arrived in January 2015. According to People magazine, Teresa and Joe,
who were initially indicted in 2013, were accused of committing several types of fraud, including:
"Hiding their fortune in a bankruptcy
filing [and] failing to file tax returns between 2004 and 2008."
Although they both pleaded not guilty, initially,
the couple later changed their plea to guilty. And as the oldest of their four children,
Gia tried her hardest to stay strong for her family. She said during a Bravo special,
"I try my best just to keep it all together."
"No child should have to go through what my daughters are going through."
Gia's aunt, Melissa Gorga, noted how proud she was of her niece, revealing,
"She's doing a very good job of being positive. I
think they're doing an unbelievable job of keeping things normal."
While her mother served her prison sentence, Gia channeled her feelings into a song with
her group 3KT, titled "Just 13" - an ode to the age at which she experienced some
of the most excruciating family drama. She wrote the track with her voice teacher,
challenging the haters that had been criticizing her life. She told E! News at the time,
"[It] basically describes like, just like everything with my mom and, like,
how […] she kept me the person I am today and how she made me so strong."
"You're their mommy, you're there provider, you're their everything. And that,
to be taken away from them, I mean, my poor babies I know they felt, like, lost."
Gia's family went all out with an over-the-top birthday bash
for the teen's 16th birthday in 2017. To celebrate the milestone,
Teresa - who had completed her prison sentence by that time - arranged a purple, glitter-themed
party in a private room an the Dream Hotel in New York City, as reported by People.
"She really does deserve it. She's an amazing, amazing, amazing child. She really is."
A two-tiered show-stopping birthday cake lit up Instagram,
accompanied by mini cupcakes. And along with the desserts,
fun photo props and a ton of purple and silver balloons set the scene. Teresa captioned a photo,
"Happy Sweet 16th Birthday Gia. [You're] my pride and joy. Hope you had a great
time at your party with your friends." After Teresa and Joe completed their respective
prison sentences, the drama was still very far from over. In April 2019, mere months after
Joe was released from prison, more legal drama ensued as he fought to stay in the country with
his family. According to People magazine, Gia's Italian-born father reportedly never
secured his American citizenship after moving to the United States, and he was therefore subject
to deportation if convicted of a quote, "crime of moral turpitude" or an "aggravated felony."
Shortly after, news broke that her father's deportation appeal had been denied by ICE.
Gia then took to Instagram to post a bittersweet throwback photo with her dad, writing,
"Pictures, memories, and hope is the only thing that has gotten my family this far.
We are fighters but my father is someone who is one of the most
important people in my life. Not a day goes by where we don't love you, miss you,
and fight for you with all our hearts. You will be home with us soon daddy. I love you so much."
"Until my father is back, it's never gonna feel the same."
Gia celebrated her senior year of high school by going to prom with her friends in 2019.
She hosted a pre-party at the Giudice home in New Jersey,
with relatives and her handsome date - who was none other than Frank Catania,
the son of fellow Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member, Dolores Catania.
"I wanna do everything I can to make the day perfect for Gia."
Gia and Frank posed for obligatory photos before heading off to the dance. For the occasion,
Gia chose a powdery blue, floor-length gown with a low-cut neckline. She finished the
look with side-swept Hollywood waves. Frank, on the other hand,
wore a suit with a bowtie that matched Gia's dress. Teresa posted to Instagram,
"Gia, the strength & beauty you exude cannot be ignored. When you
were born we could have never known the twists and turns life would throw at us
but you have been a [pillar] of strength for our family, I am so honored to call you my daughter."
Of course, the day wasn't without its difficult moments. Gia had already expressed the fact
that she wanted her dad to be a part of the biggest events of her teenage years. And the
fact remained that he would not be present for any of them. She previously said on the show,
"I'm going to graduation,
I'm going to college. Those are three big things…Milestones…I want my father here for."
Just like everything else that Gia does in her life, she wrapped up her high school career
in style. The Real Housewives of New Jersey star celebrated the accomplishment at her graduation
ceremony a few weeks after attending her high school prom. For the occasion, Gia added some
flare to her graduation cap by bedazzling it with the initials of her future college,
Rutgers University. She also wore a white mini dress underneath her graduation robe.
After the ceremony, the festivities continued in the high school gym,
where Gia celebrated the end of an era with her friends by her side. Soon after, mom Teresa threw
her daughter a graduation party at their house. Just months after graduating from high school,
Gia landed herself a modeling gig for makeup brand Stila Cosmetics, according to The Daily Dish,
and her mom was front and center for the official photoshoot. In some behind-the-scenes footage
from her Instagram, Teresa documented her daughter's gorgeous looks, writing,
"Gia's doing a photoshoot today for Stila! Gia, this reminds me of when I used to take you for
auditions when you were little. I'm taking you on your last audition before you go to college."
For the shoot, Gia was all glammed up with a smokey eye,
stunning brows, and glowing skin, looking as gorgeous as ever.
And Teresa was clearly loving her role as proud mama. With looks like this,
it wouldn't be a surprise if Gia continued on the path to a legit modeling career!
As Gia packed up all of her things to head off to Rutgers University in 2019, mom Teresa
recorded every step of the emotional process. This included loading the boxes from her childhood home
in New Jersey into the moving truck, to hauling everything into her dorm room, with her sisters.
Teresa's brother, Joe, helped Gia pack up all of her things, along with five suitcases of clothes.
After a teary hug goodbye with the family dog, Bella, Gia and the gang headed to campus,
where they spent the day unpacking and getting Gia's dorm room all set up.
If you've ever watched an episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey,
then you know that the show brings the drama in a major way.
But Gia may one day have her say in how things eventually shake out.
While Gia's dad, Joe, was facing deportation, it was revealed that his oldest daughter had
already started thinking about her own future and how she could someday help others who
found themselves in the same situation as her father. Her uncle Joe told Us Weekly,
"[Gia] wants to be a lawyer. Look what's going on with her dad."
"Dad's gonna lose his mind. […] He's not gonna be happy."
Law school may be a lofty goal, but with such a personal reason behind Gia's desire to pursue a
career in the justice system, it seems anything is possible. Her connection with her dad is as
close as it gets, and becoming a lawyer could be her way of one day supporting his cause.
Although her parents' drama deeply impacted her childhood,
Gia continues to believe that family comes first. And according to The Daily Dish,
she pledged her love to her dad in the form of a tiny tattoo on her ribcage.
On Instagram in May 2020, Gia posted a photo of herself and two friends,
while offering just a slight glimpse of some possible ink. When one user
asked if she did in fact have a tattoo at that spot, Gia replied,
"Yes I do. […] Me and my dad got one together. I have a little bird and he has the eagle on
his chest. Just means we can fly to each other whenever we want and we are always a flight away."
"Alright, Gia, I just want you to know I'm doin' this because of you. This hurts and I hate it."
But the tattoo actually has an additional meaning. Gia noted that the bird design was
also in memory of her late grandparents, and represents their rise to Heaven.
Gia has spent almost her entire life in front of the camera - but she is no longer the little
girl fans remember from Season 1 of her mom's iconic show. Instead, she's grown into an adult,
and she's looking ahead to the future. And while she's already experienced
devastatingly life-altering events in her past, not everything has been such a challenge for the
star. In July 2020, Gia posted an adorable photo of herself with her new boyfriend,
Christian Carmichael, on Instagram, and fans were quick to hit "like."
"We're not like, 'Oh my God, like, you know,
we don't want her to have a boyfriend,' y'know, we're like, more modern."
According to Life & Style, Gia and Christian may have even started their romance back in
March of 2020, though it could have begun even earlier. The outlet reported that Christian also
hails from New Jersey, and after competing as a wrestler in high school, he graduated in 2019.
Gia seems genuinely happy with her new flame - if her Instagram feed is anything to go by.
Gia totally surprised fans on Instagram when she posted a snap revealing that she had
gotten plastic surgery and was truly thrilled with the results. She wrote in the caption,
"Yes I got a nose job. Yes I'm swollen. Thank you so much [Dr. Tobias] I'm
absolutely in love with it. I am an adult now, this has been an insecurity of mine
for a while and I've never been happier and so comfortable in my own skin!!"
Her mom commented on the pic, too,
praising her daughter for being the strong woman that she is. Teresa wrote,
"Couldn't be more proud of you. You are beautiful inside and out. Love you to infinity and beyond."
Prior to Gia's nose job, Teresa told Life & Style in 2019 that
she supported plastic surgery but that she would make her daughters
wait until they were at least 21 to ever go under the knife. She said,
"I know, like, young girls get their noses done and I think,
you know, if you got a big nose, you might as well fix it. Why not?!"
"As a mom, you don't know if you're doing a good job, but when I see my daughters…"
"Then I'm like, thank you God, I'm doing a good job."
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