'RHONJ's' Teresa Giudice Hired Celebrity Jeweler for Gia's Dance [EXCLUSIVE]
Bravo's Real Housewives of New Jersey debuted Teresa Checks In on Sunday, the first episode of three-part special. Teresa Giudice hired celebrity jeweler Yanina LeCristal to design a one of a kind, pink sapphire and diamond heart shaped necklace for daughter Gia, who recently celebrated her 8th grade dance. The necklace was presented to Gia by stylist friend, Alisa Maria.
LeCristal told MStars News exclusively about the design process and said, "My friend and celebrity stylist, Alisa Maria, was given specific instructions from Teresa to come up with a piece of jewelry that would be perfect for the occasion. Something that's made of diamonds and precious stones for her to remember so we designed something meaningful but yet, age appropriate for a young girl."
The jeweler worked from a sketch of the pink dress that Gia wore and said, "I knew I needed something to match that dress or something that would go well with it ... As far as a heart-shaped necklace, hearts always represent love and I thought that's what Gia needs the most right now while she's going through hard times while her mom is away."
Bravo aired a phone call to her family and the soon-to-be released felon prayed, "Oh please God bring me home to my family as soon as possible and bless my four daughters and my husband, Amen." Gia got emotional during the confessional and admitted, "My mom doesn't want me or anyone to get emotional," she added, "So I try my best to keep it all together."
While it is unclear whether the prison permitted Teresa to record her phone conversations for the Bravo special but Us Weekly reported the reality star told Joe Giudice, "I got shaken down," after the couple's daughter tweeted a message on her behalf.
Teresa is currently serving the remainder of a 15-month sentence in a federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, and according to Radar Online and is expected to be released this December and under house arrest while required to wear an ankle bracelet until Feb. 2016. The special airs on Sundays at 8 p.m. on Bravo.