This Was Teresa Giudice's Nickname In Prison

You do the crime, you do the time — even if you're a celebrity. In July 2013, news broke that reality television star Teresa Giudice and her husband Joe were in some serious legal trouble. The couple fought long and hard, but the two were eventually sent to the slammer. Teresa served 11 months of her 15 month sentence at FCI Danbury — a minimum-security prison in Danbury, Connecticut — for several offenses that included conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bankruptcy fraud, per E! News. Her husband Joe received 41 months. 

"The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star spoke with ABC News' Amy Robach about her time in jail and said it was like "living in hell." She elaborated, "I mean there was mold in the bathrooms. There was not running water constantly. The showers were freezing cold ... I mean, the living conditions were really horrible. Like, horrible." 

Teresa's life drastically changed in a blink of an eye, from a big-time celebrity living a luxurious life to an inmate working in the kitchen for just 12 cents an hour. "I wiped tables after breakfast. Three days a week, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday," she said. "That was my job. I loved my job." She even remembered her first check being $1.60. However, Teresa took the good with the bad and got involved in several activities during her stint — and even earned herself a nickname.

Serving time is never easy. As for Teresa Giudice, she did her best to look at the bright side given her unfortunate circumstance. In doing so she remained active, worked out three times a day, ran track, and picked up a new passion — yoga, per ABC News.  "Yoga changed my life. I'm going to get certified in yoga." 

During an interview with Women's Health, she told the magazine she is in no rush to get her certification, but is already working towards her goal. "I have a few more months to go. I'm just taking my time, because I have four daughters," she said. "It's a lot, but I'm definitely going to complete it."

Teresa also revealed that during her bid she was coined the nickname "Hollywood," which led her to believe she was the inspiration for the character Judy King from "Orange is the New Black," per the Daily News. On the Netflix hit series, King was a well-known celebrity inmate of whom everyone was a fan and tried to meet in person. According to the Vulture, the show's creator Jenji Kohan said King, whose prison nickname was J-Kizzle, was inspired by Martha Stewart — although, Teresa doesn't think so. "They made a character that is just like me. They probably read my book," she told the Daily News, referencing her memoir "Turning the Tables." She continued, "Martha Stewart never did yoga. They should have had me play the part!"

Thankfully, Teresa Giudice managed to stay out of trouble with the law, and has come back to "The Real Housewives of New Jersey." The reality show will return to Bravo on February 1, and Season 12 is packed with drama, per Extra. "I'm the GOAT ..." Teresa said. "When you come for the OG, you get some relevance on the show, so they come for me, but that's okay."

Throughout the season, cameras will follow Teresa and her fiancé Luis "Louie" Ruelas as she opens up about her new love interest. In September 2020, the reality star and her husband Joe Giudice called it quits and finalized their divorce after 20 years of marriage, per People. Shortly thereafter, she confirmed her relationship with Louie, who proposed to her on October 19, 2021 in Greece.

"He's given her the ability to laugh and love again, after everything she has been through," a source told People. "Their life is very peaceful and quiet together. She was always optimistic that she would find love again after her divorce from Joe but I don't think in her wildest dreams did she imagine she would find what she has with Louie."