Rudy Reyes boasted about being a ‘family man’ months before Denise Richards affair was exposed

Rudy Reyes gushed to Page Six about taking pride in being a responsible “family man” months before his alleged affair with Denise Richards was exposed.

The former US Marine — who met Richards while filming Season 3 of “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” — spoke about his experience working on the hit show in a January “Virtual Reali-Tea” interview.

“The [celebrity] recruits that are there to rediscover themselves, maybe at one time, were superstars in whatever field. And in time, none of us can stay on top,” explained Reyes, who brought up his “two young children” and his “honey,” firearms instructor Jade Struck, at the time.

“I think, because I’ve aged and am facing some of my own mortality, new responsibilities as a father and a family man … we used to do some pretty badass stuff in our units. We used to fight heavy wars with the toughest dudes in the world and had the greatest time doing it. We’re not those guys anymore. We are inside, but not outside.”

Reyes went on to speak about how proud he is to serve as one of the four ex-Special Forces operatives on the series, which puts a group of celebrities to the ultimate test of their physical, mental and emotional resilience. Season 3 featured stars like Richards, Carey Hart, Kayla Nicole and Brody Jenner.

“I get to represent America. I get to represent the Marine Corps in recon. It’s an honor,” he gushed. “It’s made me the best version of myself. It’s an honor to be able to represent.”

Reyes appeared to still be in a committed relationship with Struck when Season 3 of the reality competition series, starring Richards, began airing on Fox in January.

The two reportedly became engaged in 2020. While the exes do not share any children, Reyes has at least two kids from previous relationships: son Dylan and daughter Bella.

During his interview with Page Six, the martial arts instructor explained how he navigated temptation and the constant “thirst” from fans on social media while being in a relationship.

“It’s tough with the Missus … I said, ‘Honey, you run the social media.’ Then she’d still get mad! [Like], ‘Who is this bitch?’ I’m like, ‘I don’t know!'” he recalled.

“Now, all of a sudden, she’s telling me to always put a shirt on and stuff. I’m like, ‘God, dang it,'” he continued. “It’s tough sometimes for our family ’cause they do gotta share us a little bit. But we know how to hold boundaries, too.”

Reyes and Struck have since called it quits.

“We are not together anymore sadly, but I take every opportunity for growth and improvement,” he wrote in a since-deleted message to a fan on Instagram in February, per The Sun.

Reps for Reyes, Richards and Struck did not respond to Page Six’s repeated requests for comment.

As Page Six previously reported, Reyes, 53, and Richards, 54, were allegedly engaged in a months-long affair.

The reality star’s estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, made a bombshell claim alleging he found “explicit messages” between Richards and Reyes when he became suspicious and went through her phone.

“She begged me not to leave, saying it was nothing and that she only loved me,” Phypers, 52, claimed in a lengthy statement to Page Six. “Then, she denied it all — even the explicit messages I found. Despite her promise to stop, more lies and shocking evidence emerged.”

Phypers and Richards’ public back-and-forth began after the former Quantum 360 owner filed for divorce from Richards earlier this month following six years of marriage.

Soon after, the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum was granted a temporary restraining order against her estranged husband after she claimed he was physically abusive and had left her with a bruised black eye.

Phypers has since denied her “harmful and baseless” allegations. A source close to Phypers additionally hit back at Richards’ claims, alleging that the bruised eye was a drunken accident committed by Richards in 2022.

Phypers went on to accuse Richards of physically abusing him on July 4 — which he listed as the date of their separation in his divorce filing — and of having an addiction to Vicodin in addition to his claims of her having an affair.

Richards’ divorce attorney responded to the claims earlier this week in a statement accusing Phypers of continued harassment.

“Mr. Phypers has continued to harass Ms. Richards since being served with the Temporary Restraining Order by, among other things, disseminating private information from Ms. Richards’ cell phone and laptop, which he stole,” Brett Berman said in a statement to People.

“These actions continue to disturb Ms. Richards’ peace.”