From Family to Frenemies: Teresa vs. Melissa Changed Everything on RHONJ

Although The Real Housewives of New Jersey took a turn for the worse after the disaster that was Season 14, it was not always filled with toxicity, darkness, and dread. There was a time when the show was what prime reality television should be all about: entertainment. When the women of New Jersey got along and were constantly vacationing and hanging out together, it was great. It felt lighthearted, funny, and bubbly, and it was easier to feel the love throughout. However, unfortunately, the happiness did not last long, and the turning point for New Jersey as fans knew it began in Season 10.

It is undeniable that the show was great for so long because Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga were getting along. The Giudice and Gorga families felt healed at the time, and when they came together as a family, they gave fans amazing moments. And although it felt like they would be a close family forever, things and people got in the way, starting in Season 10, which has led to where they stand today.

'RHONJ's' Teresa and Melissa Grew Apart in Season 1

When Margaret Josephs was first introduced as a full-time cast member in Season 8, she formed great friendships with both Teresa and Melissa. However, as time went on, it was clear that Melissa was growing closer to Margaret, whereas Teresa was forming a closer relationship with the infamous Danielle Staub. Margaret and Danielle constantly bickered throughout the show, but their friendship, as fans knew it, completely ended in Season 10 when Danielle decided to get physical and pull Margaret's hair when they were all shopping at a boutique. Once this disaster happened, Melissa sided with Margaret and preached about never getting to the point of physicality, while Teresa stuck by Danielle. Due to the sister-in-laws being on different sides, this, once again, caused a rift.

It is quite comical looking back at this moment in Season 10 when Margaret and Melissa both agree that putting hands on each other is never okay because, in the same season, Margaret puts her hands on Danielle's ex-husband, Marty Caffrey, when she pushed him into a pool. Melissa laughed, while Teresa was mortified by the action. Both Melissa and Teresa were on opposite sides of the war between Margaret and Danielle. They formed new alliances. Melissa found friendship with Margaret and Jackie Goldschneider, who joined in Season 9. Both of these women played the devil on Melissa's shoulder, spewing hatred of Teresa at Melissa throughout the season until, finally, the trio was in full force, and the Giudice/Gorgas were broken again.

'RHONJ's' Season 10 Finale Set the Tone for Future Seasons

The final blow that ended RHONJ as fans once knew it was during the Season 10 finale. Melissa decided to take one for the team and meet with Danielle to discuss that most of the cast wanted nothing to do with her anymore due to the drama that Danielle brought and the feud with Margaret. While Melissa and Danielle were discussing the events, the truth about the infamous hair pull was revealed. Danielle explained that Teresa encouraged her to pull Margaret's hair.

When everything was great between Melissa and Teresa, trust played a huge part in that. They both agreed to always put the family first, which is not what Melissa did with this information that Danielle threw at her. Melissa went back to the beach house where the cast was staying and announced this information in front of everyone rather than pulling her sister-in-law to the side for a private conversation. Everything shifted at that moment. In a rage, Teresa threw drinks and flipped the camera off, and that truly felt like the end of Melissa Gorga and Teresa Giudice.

Everything about Season 10 screams downfall. Melissa and Teresa did not keep their promise to each other to keep the family together and stand by each other as a true family should. New alliances were formed, while old alliances became broken. And it has not been the same since. RHONJ is available to stream on Peacock in the US.