The Real Housewives of New Jersey stars and sisters-in-law Melissa Gorga and Teresa Giudice, have had a tense relationship over the years. Teresa, who is an OG of RHONJ, was allegedly upset when Melissa joined the show back in season 3. The two housewives even touched upon the sore subject in the Peacock spinoff, The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip. Teresa claimed Melissa tried to go behind her back to get on RHONJ while Melissa swore that Bravo was the one who reached out to her. Teresa shot back that Melissa should have told her about being cast instead of hearing it from producer Andy Cohen. Melissa reminded Teresa that they weren’t speaking to each other at the time, and the argument never got resolved.
Teresa and Melissa have had some blown-out fights over the years. The first one fans saw on RHONJ was the infamous christening brawl from season 3. Following that incident, the two ladies got into it when Teresa allegedly called Melissa a “gold-digger" and was possibly behind the rumor that Melissa used to be a stripper. After Teresa’s conviction and release from prison, the family members did their best to come together and end their feud. However, Teresa expected blind loyalty from her brother Joe Gorga and his wife Melissa while not giving them the same respect.
In RHONJ season 12, Teresa accused fellow cast member Margaret Josephs of digging into her fiancé Luis Ruelas' past. While Margaret was simply asking questions everyone else was thinking, Teresa felt she was trying to pop her “love bubble.” During a cast trip to Nashville, Teresa accused Margaret of talking to a blog about Luis, which Margaret responded to by calling Teresa a “sick disgusting liar.” In one of RHONJ’s most explosive moments, Teresa flung the contents of the dinner table at Margaret, spilling drinks and glassware everywhere. In the teaser for the following episode, Teresa is shown ordering Melissa to tell Margaret to shut up, while Melissa sat there unsure whose side to pick.
The RHONJ season 12 reunion is reported to be really intense, with friendships allegedly being ended because of it. Recently, Melissa revealed that she hadn’t spoken to Teresa since the reunion. Melissa added that she thought Margaret was more loyal than her sister-in-law and that Teresa had a hard time being accountable for her actions. Perhaps a clue to their rift was when Teresa revealed last month that Melissa wasn’t going to be her bridesmaid at her upcoming wedding with Luis. Melissa made light of it by joking that Teresa would have probably put her in an ugly dress, but RHONJ fans were suspicious that the two housewives were likely feuding again.
Last year on RHONJ season 11, Melissa got caught in the middle of Teresa and fellow housewife Jackie Goldschneider’s fight. This season, Melissa is torn yet again by wanting to defend Margaret and trying to stay loyal to her sister-in-law. The Real Housewives of New Jersey season 12 reunion has yet to air, so fans will have to wait to find out what caused the rift between Melissa and Teresa. If history is any indication, this fight is just another blip in their tumultuous relationship, and hopefully, the two will be able to mend fences soon.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST on Bravo.