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Jacqueline Elizabeth Laurita (née Grippe, formerly Holmes; born April 26, 1970)[2] is an American television personality and spokeswoman on autism issues known for starring in The Real Housewives of New Jersey (2009–14, 2016).

Career

Beginning in 2009, Laurita became an original cast member of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Her husband, Chris Laurita, appeared on the show along with his two sisters, Dina Manzo and Caroline Manzo..[3][4][5][6][7]

In 2014, Laurita departed the series; however, she made appearances throughout the season, before returning for Season 7.[8][9][10] In April 2017, Laurita announced she would not be returning for good for the series' upcoming eighth season.[11]

In addition to appearing on the series, she also appeared on Manzo'd with Children.[12] She also had a small role in Bad Parents directed by Cathya Jentis.[13] In 2016, Laurita co-wrote Get It!: The Busy Girl's Guide to Getting Your "It" Together: A Beauty, Style, and Wellness Book with Jenè Luciani.[14]

She co-hosted a podcast, The LookOver Ladies, and is active in the autism community.[15]

Personal life

Laurita was born in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.[16][17] She is of Italian, specifically Sicilian, descent through her father and Austrian descent through her mother.[18] She was married to Matt Holmes from 1989 to 1992 and shares a daughter, Ashlee (formerly Ashley), with him.[19][20] She later married Chris Laurita and had two sons with him, Christopher "C.J." and Nicholas.[21] Her son Nicholas, who was born just prior to filming of season two of the show, was diagnosed with autism in 2012.[22] Her husband started a popcorn company, The Little Kernel, with profits donated to a foundation that provides resources to parents with children on the autism spectrum.[23][24][25]

Laurita had considered leaving the show after her son's autism diagnosis in 2012 but decided to stay and use the platform to share information. "We wanted to raise awareness for autism and educate others about it," she said. "We also didn’t want anyone, including our son, Nicholas, to think we backed out because we were ashamed of his diagnosis or trying to hide it.”[15]

Laurita's first grandchild, Cameron Hendrix Malleo, was born on August 30, 2016, to Laurita's daughter, Ashlee Holmes, and Pete Malleo.[26] Holmes married Malleo in August 2018[27] and they divorced in 2022.[28]

In 2019, Laurita moved back to Las Vegas with her husband and their two sons. In 2023, they moved to Orange County, California as Chris Laurita expanded his business, Velocity Global Brand apparel company.[29]

References

  1. ^ Peter, Zack (June 9, 2021). "RHONJ's Jacqueline Laurita: Unfiltered (Full Interview)". YouTube.com. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  2. ^ Valiente, Maria (April 28, 2014). "Jacqueline Laurita Celebrates Her Birthday — See Nicholas Sing to Her!". WetPaint.com. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  3. ^ "Bravo Increases Programming Hours by 45%, Unveils New Slate Including 12 Returning Franchises and Four New Series and Specials". The Futon Critic. March 29, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  4. ^ "Bravo Announces Series Pickups for "The Real Housewives of D.C." and "The Real Housewives of New Jersey"". The Futon Critic. March 29, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  5. ^ "Real Housewives of New Jersey Returns – with New Ladies!". People. April 13, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  6. ^ "Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" Heads to the Shore in Season Four Premiering April 22 at 10PM ET/PT". The Futon Critic. March 29, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  7. ^ "Bravo Renews Bevy Of 'Real Housewives' Shows, Sets 'New Jersey' Premiere Date". The Huffington Post. April 2, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  8. ^ Harnick, Chris (March 29, 2017). "Teresa Giudice's Legal Drama Takes Center Stage in RHONJ's Midseason Trailer—Plus, What Brings Jacqueline Back?". E! Online. NBCUniversal. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  9. ^ Nilles, Billy (March 29, 2017). "'Real Housewives of New Jersey': Dina Manzo demands Jacqueline Laurita's exit". Zap2it. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  10. ^ Petski, Denise (February 8, 2016). "'Real Housewives Of New Jersey' Renewed; Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga & Jacqueline Laurita To Return\". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  11. ^ Iaboni, Rande (April 3, 2017). "EXCLUSIVE: Jacqueline Laurita Opens Up About Her Son's Autism and Why She Won't Be Returning to RHONJ". Entertainment Tonight. United States: CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 3, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  12. ^ Connelly, Sherryl (November 2, 2014). "Caroline Manzo is all over TV with 'Manzo'd With Children', and (maybe) telling all". New York Daily News. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  13. ^ "Bad Parents". JacquelineLaurita.com. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  14. ^ Rosenfeld, Laura (January 19, 2016). "See the Cover of Jacqueline Laurita's Empowering New Book". The Daily Dish. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  15. ^ a b Palumbo, Jennifer "Jay". "How One Woman From The Real Housewives Of New Jersey Shared Her Son's Autism Journey". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  16. ^ Peter, Zack (June 9, 2021). "RHONJ's Jacqueline Laurita: Unfiltered (Full Interview)". YouTube.com. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  17. ^ "Facts About Me - @jaclaurita". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2018-11-17.
  18. ^ ""No, I'm not Latina. I am half Italian and half Austrian. I know a lot of Spanish but I understand it even better than I speak it."". www.twitter.com. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  19. ^ "10 Things You Didn't Know About RHONJ Star Jacqueline Laurita". Retrieved 2017-08-19.
  20. ^ Heller, Corinne (March 19, 2016). "Real Housewives of New Jersey's Jacqueline Laurita's Daughter Ashlee Holmes Expecting First Baby". E! News. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  21. ^ "RHONJ's Jacqueline Laurita on Her Son Nicholas: 'He's Brought So Much Joy to Our Family'". People Magazine. July 6, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  22. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (July 12, 2016). "Jacqueline Laurita Reflects on Son Nicholas' Journey: "He's Come a Long Way"". Bravo. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  23. ^ "Giving Back". The Little Kernal. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  24. ^ Rosenfeld, Laura (December 1, 2016). "Chris Laurita Explains How His Son Nicholas Inspired His Latest Business Venture". Bravo. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  25. ^ bakeryandsnacks.com (2018-06-22). "Popcorn maker The Little Kernel looks for new investment to achieve $200m sales". bakeryandsnacks.com. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  26. ^ "Real Housewives of New Jersey's Jacqueline Laurita Is a Grandma — See the Adorable Photos of Her Newborn Grandson!". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2017-08-19.
  27. ^ "Jacqueline Laurita's Daughter Ashlee Holmes Is Married: "It's Official"". Bravo TV Official Site. 2018-08-08. Retrieved 2018-11-17.
  28. ^ "Jacqueline Laurita's Kids Ashlee and CJ "Finally" Reunite: "This Is So Good"". Bravo TV Official Site. 2024-05-26. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  29. ^ "Jacqueline Laurita Shares a Peek at Her Latest Home Update". Bravo TV Official Site. 2024-05-31. Retrieved 2024-06-26.

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