Photo: Variety via Getty Images
Typically, B- and C-list stars use the dreaded phrase “Do you know who I am?” to bully their way into nightclubs and buzzy, fully booked downtown restaurants. So when The Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member and convict Teresa Giudice employed the phrase in front of the Taylor Swift at Coachella last month, I assumed, like any well-intentioned celebrity-gossip aficionado, that she did so out of a total lack of awareness of her place in the celebrity pecking order and a cockiness unfettered even by a stint in prison. But in this case, it seems the Bravo celebrity genuinely just wanted to know if the world-famous billionaire and pop star knew who she was — that is, according to Giudice.
According to a Wednesday Us Weekly report, Giudice appeared on E! News on Tuesday, during which she was asked what it was like meeting the love of Killa Trav’s life in the desert while attending the festival’s first weekend. A photo of the two had gone viral after Giudice’s husband, Louis “Louie” Ruelas, shared the image to Instagram with the caption “Two absolute QUEENS, Taylor Swift and my stunning wife @teresagiudice ????,” alongside a series of hashtags including “Girl Power,” “Queens,” “Blessed,” and “Do It Live.”
“I didn’t want to ask her for a photo because I didn’t want to bother her,” the 51-year-old said, blaming Ruelas for pushing her to go up to the singer. “Jennifer Aydin on my show, she loves her. I’m like, ‘Alright, I’m doing this for Jennifer Aydin.’”
“Do you know who I am?” Giudice said she asked as she approached Swift in the crowd. After the singer reportedly said she was familiar with Giudice — again, according to Giudice — she agreed to take the picture, and thus C-list celebrity history was made. “She was the sweetest person ever,” Giudice said, fangirling over the whole encounter. “I’m totally a Swiftie now. I love her. She was so sweet and I’m totally a big fan.” Taylor probably couldn’t care less, but alas! Happy for you, Teresa!
