When Vanessa Villela stepped onto the screen in season four of Netflix's hit reality series Selling Sunset, viewers watched her transition from Mexican telenovela star to Los Angeles real estate agent [1.1.3, 1.2.5]. They also watched her fall in love with British creative director Nicholas Hardy, who goes by the professional moniker Tom Fraud [1.1.1, 1.1.2].
If you're wondering who Vanessa Villela's husband is, what he does for a living, and how their high-profile romance blossomed out of the public eye, here is the real story behind their relationship.
Who Is Nick Hardy?
Nicholas Hardy—widely known online as Tom Fraud—is a British photographer, creative director, and designer [1.1.1, 1.1.2]. Operating primarily in the creative arts and media spaces, Hardy works behind the lens capturing striking visual campaigns, cinematic imagery, and fashion content.
Unlike his wife, who spent decades in front of the camera starring in popular Latin American soap operas like En el nombre del amor, Hardy prefers a more understated public footprint [1.1.3]. While he occasionally appears on red carpets and feature profiles alongside Vanessa, his day-to-day focus remains grounded in his creative agency work and artistic projects. Additional reporting by Bloomberg highlights comparable perspectives on the subject.
How Vanessa Villela and Nick Hardy Met
The couple crossed paths digitally in the fall of 2020 through the exclusive celebrity dating application Raya [1.1.1, 1.2.1]. At the time, Vanessa was living in Los Angeles while Nicholas was based in the United Kingdom [1.2.1].
What started as a digital friendship quickly escalated into an intense emotional connection [1.2.1]. After three months of daily virtual communication, Nicholas made the trip across the Atlantic to meet Vanessa in person in Mexico [1.1.1, 1.2.1].
According to interviews the couple shared with Brides, that first in-person meeting cemented their bond [1.1.3, 1.2.4]. The early stages of their courtship were even documented on Selling Sunset, allowing fans to witness their romance unfold in real-time [1.1.1].
The Proposals and Wedding
The couple didn't follow a traditional engagement path. In January 2022, Nicholas popped the question during a romantic evening at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, framed by the Hollywood sign [1.2.1].
Breaking conventional relationship norms further, Vanessa later orchestrated a surprise double proposal of her own for Nicholas before their wedding day, presenting him with an engagement ring to honor mutual commitment [1.2.3, 1.2.5].
On September 12, 2022, the pair tied the knot in a cinematic ceremony at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego, California [1.1.3, 1.2.1]. Surrounded by close friends and family, Vanessa wore a stunning Galia Lahav gown, while Nicholas sported a custom black tuxedo [1.2.1]. The wedding featured personal touches, including a double ring-bearer entrance, live musical performances, and customized heirloom gifts exchanged at the altar [1.1.3].
Life After the Cameras
Since stepping away from the primary cast of Selling Sunset, Vanessa and Nicholas have focused heavily on private creative projects, travel, and building a quiet life together away from reality television drama.
Nicholas frequently uses his photography background to document their travels and professional collaborations, acting as both a supportive partner and an artistic sounding board. Their relationship demonstrates how two distinct creative worlds—one anchored in television performance and real estate, the other in visual direction—can merge into a stable, enduring partnership.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vanessa Villela's husband's real name?
His legal name is Nicholas Hardy, though he is widely known professionally and on social media handles as Tom Fraud [1.1.1, 1.1.2].
What does Nicholas Hardy do for a living?
He works as a professional photographer, creative director, and designer, collaborating on various visual media and fashion projects [1.1.1, 1.1.2].
When did Vanessa Villela and Nick Hardy get married?
They married on September 12, 2022, during an intimate ceremony at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego [1.1.3, 1.2.1].
Did they meet on television?
No, they met online through the celebrity dating app Raya in late 2020, though their romance was later featured on Netflix's Selling Sunset [1.1.1, 1.2.1].
