The Stunning Transformation Of Gia Giudice
Gia Giudice wasn't born into the spotlight, but she rose to fame at an early age thanks to her famous reality star parents, The Real Housewives of New Jersey stars Teresa and Joe Giudice. Born in January 2001 (via Bravo's The Daily Dish), Gia is the oldest of four and has with three younger sisters (Gabriella, Milania, and Audriana) who have also been featured on TV. Plenty of drama and cat fights have ensued on RHONJ, and the show has also covered the arrest and imprisonment of both of Gia's parents. Amidst everything going on in her personal life, Gia has been able to channel her energy into other creative outlets. Over the years, she's even enjoyed stints as a model, dancer, and singer.
Sure, Gia Giudice will likely always be associated with her parents, but there's a lot more to her than the reality TV drama that surrounds her and her family. Read on to witness the stunning transformation Gia Giudice — from a tiny tot to a modern-day social (media) butterfly.
Gia Giudice was catapulted into the spotlight at an early age
In May 2009, The Real Housewives of New Jersey made its debut, and Gia Giudice, the eldest daughter of Joe and Teresa Giudice, became an instant television personality at just 8 years old. When she wasn't busy getting into tiffs with the other women on the show (a frequent occurrence), Teresa was busy trying to be a front and center stage mom for Gia, who had shown a passion for dance and music. Of course, fans of RHONJ couldn't get enough.
Throughout the seasons of the reality TV show, Gia has been seen taking dance classes and performing in recitals, all while Teresa cheered her on from the front row. "I'm just so proud of her, and she totally has what it takes to make it," Teresa told the RHONJ cameras during an episode featuring Gia dancing. Gia always has her mom in her corner!
Gia Giudice has busted moves on stage as a dancer
Gia Giudice has come a long way from her days as a little girl who liked to dance; she's become a talented dance professional in the years since. Back in 2012, Bravo's The Daily Dish reported that Gia hit the stage on the Jersey boardwalk in front of a giant crowd of onlookers at the Beatstock stage to show off her moves as a trained dancer (and she looked adorable in the process).
She showed off her stellar choreographed moves while grooving to the beat and sporting a purple flouncy skirt and tee shirt. She accessorized with neon green suspenders and wild, curly locks that bounced as she moved around the dance floor. In the audience, her mom and sisters could be seen cheering her on as she danced around the stage, surrounded by other young professional dancers. Her uncle (mom Teresa's brother) also came to lend his support, cheering her on from the side of the stage.
Gia Giudice starred in a controversial music video in 2014
It was no surprise to fans of Real Housewives that Gia Giudice developed a strong interest in music, but she sent shock waves through the entertainment industry when she released her first music video with girl group 3KT at the age of 13, a rendition of the Britney Spears hit "Circus." As reported by Us Weekly, Gia and her pals Alexa Maetta and Cristina Cardinale had formed the music group earlier in the summer of 2014, and they took to YouTube to share their debut video as a group on Oct. 30, 2014.
In the clip, the girls are featured singing and dancing along to Spears' hit song while wearing metallic hot pants and sequin bustiers, leaving some fans to ask if it was appropriate to release such a video as Gia was barely even a teenager. But her budding music career may have come at the perfect time, as the distraction was likely needed for the young star while her parents, Teresa and Joe Giudice, were in the midst of what was about to become some life-changing legal drama.
Gia Giudice's mother began her prison sentence in 2015
After months of grueling legal battles that ultimately landed both of Gia Giudice's parents in jail, the day that her mom, Teresa Giudice, was sent off to the slammer to serve her 15-month prison sentence arrived in January 2015, as reported by Business Insider. Teresa and husband Joe Giudice, who were initially indicted in 2013, were accused of "hiding their fortune in a bankruptcy filing." Joe was also accused of "failing to file tax returns between 2004 and 2008," according to People.
Although they both pleaded not guilty initially, they later changed their plea to guilty. As the eldest of four children, Gia tried her hardest to stay strong for her family. "I try my best just to keep it all together," she said on the premiere of the Teresa Checks In special, according to People. Gia's aunt, Melissa Gorga, noted how proud she was of her niece. "She's doing a very good job of being positive. I think they're doing an unbelievable job of keeping things normal," she said.
Gia Giudice released an emotional song about her mother's imprisonment
While her mother served her prison sentence, Gia Giudice channeled her feelings into a song and video titled "Just 13," an ode to the age in which she experienced intense family drama. According to Bravo's The Daily Dish, Gia wrote the song with her voice teacher, challenging those that were criticizing her life. She told E! (via NJ.com) that it "basically describes like, just like everything with my mom and, like, how, like, she kept me the person I am today and how she made me so strong."
In the video, she sings, "You won't break me/You're not that strong ... the best is yet to come," while family photos are shown. She also sings, "Mama said be strong/So against the storm I stand through it all/It's just a joke to you/I'm just another hashtag/And if a camera crew followed you/What would they see/You're just like me."
Gia Giudice celebrated her 16th birthday with a big bash
Gia Giudice's family spared no expense when organizing an over-the-top birthday bash for the teenager's 16th birthday in 2017. To celebrate the occasion, mom Teresa Giudice, who had completed her prison sentence by that time, arranged a purple, glitter-themed party at a private room in the Dream Hotel in New York City, as reported by People.
A two-tiered birthday cake was front and center in many of the pictures posted on Instagram, but that wasn't the only sugary treat that evening, as the party also featured mini vanilla and chocolate cupcakes. In addition to the desserts, fun photo props and a ton of purple and silver balloons set the scene. "Happy Sweet 16th Birthday Gia. [You're] my pride and joy. Hope you had a great time at your party with your friends at the @dreamhotels," Teresa wrote in the caption of a photo of her and her daughter on Instagram.
Gia Giudice posted a heartbreaking tribute to dad Joe before his deportation
After Teresa and Joe Giudice completed their respective prison sentences, the drama was still unfortunately far from over. In April 2019, months after Joe was released from prison, more legal drama ensued as he fought to stay in the country with his family. Gia Giudice's Italian-born father apparently never attained his American citizenship after moving to the United States, and he was therefore subject to deportation if convicted of a "crime of moral turpitude" or an "aggravated felony," according to U.S. law, as reported by People.
Shortly after news that her father's deportation appeal was denied by ICE was reported, Gia posted a sweet throwback picture of her with her arms around her father on Instagram in April 2019. In the caption, she wrote, "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." She continued, "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."
Gia Giudice looked stunning when she headed to prom with date Frank Catania
Gia Giudice celebrated nearing the end of her senior year by going to prom with her friends in May 2019. But before prom started, Gia hosted a pre-party at the Giudice home in New Jersey, as reported by Bravo, with friends and her handsome date — none other than Frank, the son of fellow Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member Dolores Catania (via People).
Gia and Frank posed for photos with friends on a staircase and outside in the backyard before heading off to prom, making for some of the most stunning celebrity prom photos of the 2019 season. For the occasion, Gia chose a powdery blue, floor-length gown with a low-cut neckline. She finished the look with side-swept Hollywood glam waves. Frank, on the other hand, wore a suit with a bowtie that matched Gia's dress. "Gia, the strength & beauty you exude cannot be ignored," Gia's mom, Teresa Giudice, wrote on Instagram to mark the occasion. "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."
Gia Giudice graduated from high school
Just like everything else that Gia Giudice does in her life, she completed high school graduation in style. The Real Housewives of New Jersey star celebrated her epic accomplishment at her graduation ceremony a few weeks after going to her high school prom. For the occasion, Gia added some flare to her graduation cap by bedazzling it with the initials of her college, Rutgers University, as shared by Hollywood Life. Gia wore a white mini dress underneath her white graduation robe, along with nude heels and a gold choker.
After the ceremony, the festivities moved into the high school gymnasium, where Gia celebrated the end of her high school years with her friends by her side. Soon after, mom Teresa Giudice threw Gia a graduation party at their house, where Gia wore a white dress (this time with lacy cutouts) for the celebration, according to Bravo's The Daily Dish.
Gia Giudice modeled for Stila Cosmetics
Just months after graduating from high school, Gia Giudice landed herself a modeling gig for makeup brand Stila Cosmetics, according to Bravo's The Daily Dish, and her mom was front and center for the official photoshoot. In some behind-the-scenes footage from her Instagram stories, Teresa documented her daughter's gorgeous looks. "Gia's doing a photoshoot today for Stila!" she said in an Instagram video (via The Daily Dish). "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."
In the photos, Gia was all glammed up with a smokey eye, perfect brows, and glowing skin, looking as glam and gorgeous as ever. Her mom was clearly as proud as can be. We wonder if Gia will ever start modeling full time — seems like her mom would be fine if she did!
Gia Giudice had an emotional send-off to college
As Gia Giudice packed up all of her things to head off to Rutgers University in 2019, mom Teresa Giudice recorded every step of the emotional process, as reported by People. This included packing up the final boxes from her childhood home in New Jersey into the moving truck to unloading everything inside her college dorm with her mom and sisters by her side.
The series of videos began outside the Giudices' home, where Teresa's brother, Joe, helped Gia pack up all of her boxes, along with five suitcases of clothing. After a teary-eyed hug goodbye to the family dog, Bella, Gia, her mom, and her sisters headed to campus, where they spent the day together unpacking and getting Gia's dorm room looking perfect before they left. After the Giudice girls spruced the room up with photo frames and cute string lights, Gia was ready to start her college experience.
Gia Giudice may want to study law for this reason
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 Giudice may be trying to put an end to the drama.
While Gia's father, Joe Giudice, was facing deportation charges, it was revealed that his oldest daughter had started thinking about her own future and how she could potentially help others in the same situation as her father. "[Gia] wants to be a lawyer," Joe Gorga, Gia's uncle, told Us Weekly. "Look what's going on with her dad." Law school is an intense and lofty goal, but with such a passionate reason behind Gia's desire to pursue a career in law, anything is possible. Her connection with her dad is as real as it gets, and becoming a lawyer could be Gia's way of supporting him, even if she can't fix his situation just yet.
Gia Giudice got a tattoo with her dad Joe
Although family drama can certainly have an impact on anyone's childhood, Gia Giudice clearly believes family comes first. According to Bravo's The Daily Dish, she pledged her love to dad Joe Giudice with a tattoo she got on her ribcage.
On Instagram in May 2020, Gia posted a photo of herself posing alongside two friends in which she was wearing a dress with a halter neckline which just barely gave the world a glimpse at a tattoo. One user commented on the picture, asking, "Gia, do you have a tattoo on the side of your ribcage?" Gia replied, "Yes I do.. me and my dad got one together." She explained, "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."
But the tattoo actually has an additional meaning. Gia noted that the tattoo "resembles rising to heaven for my grandparents," who had passed away.
Gia Giudice found love in 2020
Gia Giudice has grown up in front of the camera, and she is no longer the cute, little girl fans remember from Season 1 of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Instead, she's an adult figuring out her future. And while experiencing changes in her life, she also snagged herself a cute new boyfriend. In July 2020, Gia posted a cute photo of herself with her new bae, Christian Carmichael, on Instagram, and fans were quick to hit "like." Gia captioned the post, "Summer nights w u," followed by a smiley face.
According to Life & Style, Gia and Christian may have started their romance back in March of 2020, though it could have started even earlier. The publication reported that Christian also hails from New Jersey, and he graduated high school in 2019. During his time in high school, he competed on his school's wrestling team and was apparently pretty good.
Gia seems genuinely happy with Christian, if her Instagram page is anything to go by.
Gia Giudice revealed she got a nose job and has never been happier
Gia Giudice surprised fans on Instagram when she posted a picture revealing that she had gotten plastic surgery and was thrilled with the results. Sharing a photo of her and her mother in July 2020, she stated, "Yes I got a nose job. yes I'm swollen."
She continued, "Thank you so much @drtobiasnyc I'm absolutely in love with it," adding, "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 snap, congratulating her for being the strong woman that she is. "Couldn't be more proud of you," she wrote. "You are beautiful inside and out Love you to infinity and beyond." Before her daughter's nose job, Teresa told Life & Style in 2019 that she supported plastic surgery but would make her daughters wait until they were 21 if they ever wanted to go under the knife. She noted, "Or 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?!"