Aurora Culpo’s Wedding Plus-One Controversy: Navigating New Romance Amid Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey’s Big Day

The highly anticipated wedding of Olivia Culpo and NFL star Christian McCaffrey on Saturday, June 29, was undoubtedly a glamorous affair, but it wasn’t without a touch of family drama. The spotlight briefly shifted from the happy couple to Olivia’s older sister, Aurora Culpo, who found herself in an unexpected situation regarding her wedding guest status. Aurora was unable to bring a plus-one to the grand event, sparking a lively discussion and a minor “beef” within the Culpo family, particularly between Aurora and Olivia, as chronicled on their reality show, The Culpo Sisters, and later on Aurora’s podcast.

The contention arose when Aurora’s new romantic interest, whose name was initially unrevealed to the public, was not extended an invitation to the wedding. This decision meant Aurora had to attend her sister’s significant milestone solo, a circumstance that clearly didn’t sit well with her. For someone who has recently navigated a very public and emotionally taxing divorce, the desire to have a supportive partner by her side at such a major family event is understandable, making Olivia’s choice a point of friction that resonated deeply with Aurora.

The “Barely Filtered” Podcast Reveals All

The details of this family disagreement came to light during an episode of Aurora’s podcast, Barely Filtered, released on Wednesday, July 3. During the episode, the 34-year-old podcast host delved into the specifics of the wedding guest list debate. Aurora, feeling slighted by her sister’s decision, openly labeled Olivia’s stance as “rude.” She expressed her frustration, explaining how she felt unsupported by her sister in a moment where she was trying to introduce a new, significant person into her life. This public airing of grievances offered fans a candid glimpse into the dynamics of the Culpo sisters’ relationship, proving that even in celebrity families, wedding planning can bring about unexpected challenges and emotional responses.

However, Olivia, the 32-year-old former pageant queen, quickly countered her sister’s accusation, defending her stance with a firm “No, rude to invite somebody I’ve never met.” Olivia’s perspective highlighted a common dilemma faced by many couples planning large weddings: the balance between accommodating family desires and maintaining an intimate atmosphere with guests known personally by the bride and groom. Her argument suggested that inviting a complete stranger to such a deeply personal and significant occasion might have felt uncomfortable or inappropriate for her and Christian, especially given the high-profile nature of their wedding.

Despite the disagreement over the wedding ceremony invitation, a small compromise was eventually reached. Aurora revealed that her unidentified male companion was, in fact, able to spend time with the family and the bridal party on the day leading up to the rehearsal dinner. This allowed him to meet some of Olivia and Christian’s closest friends and family members, offering a chance for him to be part of the pre-wedding festivities without being present at the main event. This arrangement, while perhaps not Aurora’s ideal scenario, at least provided an opportunity for her new partner to be included to some extent, showing a familial effort to ease the tension, even if the primary issue remained a point of discussion.

Aurora’s Journey to New Love: From Public Divorce to Private Romance

Aurora Culpo’s recent foray into a new relationship comes after a particularly challenging period in her personal life. The eldest Culpo sister has always maintained a relatively private stance on her romantic endeavors, a tendency that has only intensified following her very public and emotionally arduous divorce from ex-husband Mikey Bortone. Their journey began with a wedding in 2019, and together they welcomed two children, Remi and Solei, into their lives. The early years of their marriage, however, were unfortunately overshadowed by difficulties that ultimately led to their separation.

The marital issues culminated in a painful revelation when the 50-year-old actor, Mikey Bortone, admitted to being unloyal. This admission marked a significant turning point, shaking the foundations of their relationship and eventually leading to their split in 2022. The dissolution of her marriage, especially under such heartbreaking circumstances, deeply impacted Aurora. It wasn’t just the end of a partnership; it was the disruption of a family unit, and the emotional toll was immense. As a mother, navigating such a separation, particularly when children are involved, adds layers of complexity and grief, demanding a strength that Aurora publicly displayed.

The profound emotional impact of her divorce was vividly captured in a poignant clip from The Culpo Sisters, which was shared by Page Six. In the clip, Aurora candidly shared her vulnerability and sorrow while discussing celebrating her birthday amid the tumultuous period of her divorce. With tears in her eyes, she confessed, “It’s the first year I’ll be celebrating without Mikey, and … I don’t even know why it’s going to make me cry, but I don’t know, it’s just a lot of change…It’s really hard, but it’s the right thing, and this too shall pass.” Her raw honesty resonated with many, highlighting the universal pain of marital breakdown and the difficult process of starting anew. This period undoubtedly shaped her current approach to relationships, reinforcing her desire for discretion and protection over her personal affairs in the public eye.

Consequently, it’s entirely understandable why Aurora has chosen to be exceptionally protective of her current love life, striving to keep it out of the intense public glare that often accompanies the Culpo family. After experiencing the public scrutiny of a painful divorce, the newfound desire for privacy offers a shield against potential judgment and allows her to foster new connections away from the harsh spotlight. This commitment to discretion explains why her new partner’s identity remained ‘unrevealed’ during the initial discussions surrounding Olivia’s wedding, indicating a cautious and deliberate approach to introducing him to the public and the media, a stark contrast to her previous relationship’s public ending.

The Unveiling of Aurora’s New Man: Paul Bernon

What began as an “unrevealed man” at Olivia’s wedding soon became clearer to the public. Shortly after the wedding festivities, news surfaced that the mystery man in Aurora Culpo’s life was none other than Paul Bernon. This revelation came to light when Aurora was spotted with Bernon over the weekend of her sister’s wedding, specifically on a boat ride in Rhode Island – coincidentally the very same week and destination where Olivia and Christian’s wedding took place. This precise timing and location strongly suggest that Paul Bernon was indeed the “unidentified male” Aurora wished to bring as her plus-one to the wedding ceremony, making the earlier controversy even more poignant with his identity confirmed.

The sightings, initially reported by the popular celebrity gossip account Deuxmoi, provided crucial clues about Aurora’s burgeoning romance. Beyond the boat ride, further reports indicated that the two were seen making out at The ‘Quin Hotel, a clear sign of their romantic involvement and growing affection. These public displays of affection, though discreetly captured, solidified the growing speculation that Aurora had found love again with Bernon. The proximity of these sightings to Olivia’s wedding location and date adds a compelling layer to the initial “plus-one” controversy, giving a face to the man whose absence from the wedding ceremony caused such a significant stir within the Culpo family and among their fans.

Paul Bernon’s Past Relationship with Bethenny Frankel

The emergence of Paul Bernon into Aurora Culpo’s life also brings with it a certain level of public interest, especially given his own high-profile romantic history. Bernon is well-known for his previous engagement to reality TV star and entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel. Their relationship, which began in 2018, was often discussed in the media, with fans eagerly following their journey. The couple eventually became engaged, but their romance ultimately came to an end, leading to their split. This history means Bernon is no stranger to the intense scrutiny that accompanies dating a public figure, a factor that might have influenced his own desire for privacy.

A source close to Bernon and Frankel’s previous relationship shed some light on their breakup, telling Us Weekly, “It just wasn’t going to work…They are so different – he’s an under the radar kind of guy.” This description paints a vivid picture of Paul Bernon as someone who values privacy and prefers a less flamboyant lifestyle, contrasting sharply with Bethenny Frankel’s very public persona as a reality TV star and business mogul. This preference for being “under the radar” could be a significant factor in his compatibility with Aurora, who, as previously discussed, has developed a strong desire for discretion regarding her romantic relationships following her divorce from Mikey Bortone.

For Aurora, finding a partner like Paul, who appreciates and actively seeks discretion, could be a comforting and stabilizing influence. After the emotional upheaval of her divorce and the public nature of her family’s reality show, a relationship built on mutual respect for privacy might be exactly what she needs to thrive. While the “plus-one” drama at Olivia’s wedding caused a temporary rift and a moment of public discussion, it ultimately served to subtly introduce the world to Aurora Culpo’s new chapter in love, a chapter that she is clearly keen to protect and nurture away from the relentless glare of public curiosity. The ongoing story of Aurora Culpo’s romantic journey, intertwined with the dynamics of the famous Culpo family, continues to captivate followers, eager to see how her new relationship with Paul Bernon unfolds and shapes her future.