GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Paulina Bugeme Is Married!
Wedding bells rang last week for GENERAL HOSPITAL alum Paulina Bugeme (ex-Valerie) as she tied the knot on April 22 with her longtime love, Ren Kuwahara. The performer, who is also known as Paulina Lule, announced the exciting news on April 21 that her nuptials were imminent. “Sooo, I’m marrying this guy tomorrow,” she shared on Instagram, posting a photo of Kuwahara holding their black cat on his shoulder and a trio of upside-down smiley face emojis.
The following day, Bugeme shared a video clip on Instagram of her and Kuwahara walking down the stairs of what is presumably the courthouse where they exchanged vows. Rather than donning traditional wedding attire, Bugeme dressed in high-waisted white pants and a rust-colored long-sleeved top for the occasion, and Kuwahara looked dapper in brown dress pants and a navy blue button-down shirt. They each wore a flower lei around their neck in the Hawaiian tradition of symbolizing the love that the couple has for each other. “Introducing Mr. and Mx. Bugembe-Kuwahara,” read the caption on Bugeme’s post, accompanied by a smiling face with hearts and a black heart emoji. (As Bugeme identifies as non-binary and prefers they/she pronouns, “Mx.” is her gender-neutral title preference.)
Bugeme and Kuwahara, who have been dating for over 12 years, announced their engagement last May. While celebrating his birthday on vacation at Sequoia National Park, Kuwahara popped the question and his longtime love said yes. “It’s happening!” Bugembe exclaimed on Instagram at the time, showing off her beautiful sapphire and diamond ring. “Ren and I are getting married! He proposed to me next to a raging river and thank goodness it was just us because if you look at the picture, you’ll see how puffy my face is from crying so much.”
While it’s been a while since GH viewers have seen Bugeme on the screen, she took over the role of Lulu’s cousin, Valerie Spencer, from Brytni Sarpy back in 2019. Her last appearance in Port Charles was on Sept. 1, 2020, but since then, Bugeme has worked on AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., Marvelous and the Black Hole, and She Watches From the Wood.
Please join us in wishing the newlyweds a lifetime of happiness together!
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