Breaking a sweat is much more fun with iconic reality stars — which is why we, Evan Real and Danny Murphy, the co-hosts of Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast, put together a special workout class led by fan-favorites from “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.”
Jennifer Fessler, Margaret Josephs and the latter’s Soirée mocktails business partner, Lexi Barbuto — who often appears on the show — surprised our listeners who participated in a Barry’s RIDE x LIFT class in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood on Tuesday.
Fessler kicked things off by amping up the crowd before esteemed instructor Charlie Meredith coached us — plus a room full of fellow reality TV enthusiasts — through an invigorating combination of weight-lifting and cycling.
“As long as I don’t have to exercise, I’m going to be the one that hypes you up!” she told the crowd before directly shouting us out: “Look at Evan and Danny down here, Page Six. My babies!”
Fessler, who joined “RHONJ” in 2023’s Season 13 as a “friend of” the cast, interacted with the rest of the room, giving hugs and shaking hands with fans who came out to burn some calories during the “Housewives”-themed class.
Meredith, meanwhile, encouraged us all to be “fierce and gorgeous” throughout it all.
It was pretty easy, given the electric playlist he curated. Hits by Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Bravo pop stars like Erika Jayne made it easy to forget we were even exercising!
Halfway through the class, Fessler’s pal Josephs stopped in to dole out words of motivation — with her signature sense of humor and, of course, lots of sass.
“So glad to be here with everybody here at Barry’s, thanks for coming, working out with us and ‘Reali-Tea’ and the Marge who’s here to motivate you” she said on the mic.
“Alright, so you people here, who just got off the bikes, be a lazy bum like the Marge!” Josephs joked before continuing, “Don’t be like the Marge really, because that’s exactly what I am. Don’t let everybody else do the work like I do.”
The entrepreneur cheekily noted that she was “just going to watch” the remainder of class while being “very impressed.”
However, Josephs did return with Barbuto to dance in the back of Barry’s famed red room, keeping our spirits high and smiles wide as the workout only got harder.
When it was time to cool down, Fessler — who recently launched a new video series called “Housewife Hot Takes” with us — came back to perform her original song, “Teams Divided,” that became a viral sensation at the end of “New Jersey” Season 14.
“Teams divided, pick your side and close your eyes and pray,” she sang as we all caught our breath. “Friendships changing, some worth saving, Season 14 ‘RHONJ.’”
After class, fans mixed and mingled with Fessler, Josephs and Barbuto as the latter pair handed out crisp, cold cans of their refreshing Soirée beverages.
Attendees also walked away with plenty of “Virtual Reali-Tea” merch, which you can shop here — and hopefully wear to our next event!
