Melissa Gorga‘s recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen was full of juicy tidbits about the drama surrounding the Real Housewives of New Jersey cast – past and present.
Basically, Melissa dished on everything from her nieces to cutting off Kathy Wakile and Rosie Pierri to Jacqueline Laurita’s recent claims and so much more.
Addresses Criticism from Nieces
Firstly, Melissa addresses the criticism she received from her nieces, Gia and Gabriella Giudice.
On Tuesday’s episode of RHONJ, Gia and Gabriella reacted the Joe and Melissa claiming they put food on the Giudice family’s table while Teresa was in prison.
Gabriella said:
[It’s] hurtful. Especially when it’s not true. Credit shouldn’t be given where it’s not earned. That affects me directly, so it’s something that I take to heart.
Likewise, Gia added:
The only times we really saw them was when we were on camera together. I really can’t remember any other time when I saw them.
Then on WWHL, Melissa shares her feelings about the comments while taking the chance to shade Teresa Giudice.
That hurts to even hear. I think it’s super selfish when any mother brings a child into a conversation like this. I’m sorry. It’s a selfish thing to have them comment on it. [Gabriella]’s my godchild.
Responds to the Leaked Text Messages and Seating Chart
Meanwhile, Melissa took the time to respond to the leaked text messages and seating chart from Teresa’s engagement party.
AllAboutTRH exclusively revealed both sets of text messages and the seating chart. Check out all the tea – HERE, HERE, and HERE.
When it comes to the seating chart from Tre and Louie’s engagement party, Melissa said:
That was a blatant lie. And I think I proved that.
As for those text messages:
I did not misrepresent. My point it still the same unless you guys want to show every single one, that’s fine. My point is there’s no interaction for three weeks after I sent a nice [message], saying ‘Let’s just call this peace today. Don’t get mad.’ Whatever I said. There was zero [response] until the reunion aired. Then it started [the texts and calls about getting lunch.]
Talks Cutting off Kathy Wakile and Rosie Pierri
Melissa sings a different tune about her fallout with Kathy Wakile and Rosie Pierri in 2023.
Despite previously blaming their fallout on the Wakiles, Melissa now blames Teresa.
In 2018 Melissa said:
“Look, I know they are a little sour about not being on the show any longer, and it’s unfortunate, to be honest. I wish them all well. I love the Wakile children.”
However, now, Melissa says that she and Joe cut Kathy and Rosie out of their lives to keep the peace with Teresa.
I think we [do regret pulling away from Kathy and Rosie. Joe always thinks about that as well. I think he did that for her when she got out of prison and she thought that was her next step and he wanted to please her, but you can see him in that scene. He was very uncomfortable and it’s the only family he has and we love Kathy and Rosie and I’m sad that we don’t have them.
Reacts to Louie’s Insecure Diss
Comparatively, Melissa has no lost love for Louie Ruelas. The mom of three said it was “strange” when Louie called her insecure.
It’s coming from Mr. Insecurity himself. He freaks out if you say one thing about him. He like, walks in circles. He sweats.
Claps Back at Jacqueline Laurita
Likewise, Melissa fires back at former co-star Jacqueline Laurita‘s recent claims that she manipulates people. She also shares her feelings on Teresa and Jacqueline‘s reunion.
Melissa said:
She literally didn’t show up to a reunion because she was saying Teresa was the most manipulating situation and Teresa was calling me out on things. She has really proven that she can’t stand Teresa in so many ways. She sends text messages all over the place. I’m in shock that she said that about me because from day one, before I even filmed my first scene, she was the one calling my phone every day, not in a negative way, but to definitely fill me in on things so the fact that she said that I’m manipulating is crazy.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey airs on Tuesdays at 8 pm on Bravo.
Thoughts on this all? Sound off in the comments!
Melissa’s nieces, Gia and Gabriella Giudice, criticized her for claiming that she and her husband put food on the Giudice family’s table while Teresa was in prison. They found this statement hurtful and stated that they rarely saw Melissa and Joe outside of filming for the show.
Melissa denied the validity of the seating chart and called it a blatant lie. Regarding the leaked text messages, she stated that there was no interaction between her and Teresa for three weeks after she sent a nice message suggesting peace. The texts and calls about getting lunch only started after the reunion aired.
Initially, Melissa blamed their fallout on the Wakiles, but now she attributes it to Teresa. She explains that they cut off Kathy and Rosie to keep the peace with Teresa, as Joe wanted to please his sister. However, Melissa expresses regret over their decision and states that they love Kathy and Rosie.