During Season 13 of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, viewers watched as the feud between Joe Gorga and Teresa Giudice reached a boiling point.
The two siblings have had a track record of disrespecting one another with little to no repercussions. But it seems like, after years of torment, both the Gorga and Giudice families have finally grown tired of the constant hate. Season 14 has shown Melissa, Joe, and Teresa refusing to interact. The entire setup has been eerie, but it is clear that both siblings have decided that enough is enough.
After the brawl in Lake Geroge, we should have known that these families were doomed to hold a grudge against one another for all eternity. But I don’t think anyone thought that we would still be watching the same storyline ten years later. Now, the chapter is closed on Joe and Teresa’s once-close sibling relationship, and it is time for everyone to move on.
Teresa Giudice truly hates Melissa Gorga
No matter how you slice it, it is evident that Teresa truly dislikes Melissa Gorga. The OG has done her best to run her sister-in-law off the franchise for years, but nothing has stuck. Between making up rumors about her making out with a baseball player and strippergate, there was no way Tre ever wanted to make peace. Looking back, there have been multiple signs that Teresa hated Melissa. The mother of four had no issues mocking a pregnant woman’s choice of Christmas cookies and throwing them away. Teresa also had no issue badmouthing Mel to her nieces. Whether it is jealousy or something else, these two women were not meant to be friends.
Teresa Giudice has to save face
If I had to pick one word to describe Teresa, it would be stubborn. Even if she wanted to make peace, she would be too stubborn to do so because she would lose her tough girl appeal. I believe Teresa thinks she would look like an idiot if she showed she had a heart or apologized for the wrongs she did to her brother. So instead of saying “I’m sorry,” she would rather continue to wage a never-ending war.
There is no way forward for Teresa Giudice and Joe Gorga
While appearing on Live with Kelly and Mark, Teresa made her stance clear when it came to making amends with her brother. Tre told the hosts that she didn’t see a “path forward. We’ve done it so many times, Kelly.” Teresa then referred back to her childhood, telling cameras, “And, you saw my parents — how I was raised — and there’s a lot of things that, you know, I’m not going to discuss, that happened. The OG of RHONJ added, “And I always kept my mouth shut because I didn’t want to upset my parents. And you know what, sometimes, you just can’t go back.”
Even though the entire situation feels icky, Tre apparently feels “at peace” with her decision. Teresa added one last dig, noting, “Listen, he’s happy with his, you know, wife and his family, and her family. I’m happy with my new husband.”
Joe Gorga speaks out
Joe and Melissa shared their side on an episode of Sherri, stating that reconciliation wouldn’t happen anytime soon. Melissa, who is most definitely Tre’s arch nemesis, noted, “You know what it is when someone is never happy for you or your marriage, it becomes very difficult when — sometimes you have to take the toxic and say, listen, this is very toxic.” Joe lamented, “Melissa’s been in my life for 20 years. I have three children with her — that is my life.”
Joe’s voice cracked when he added, “You have to embrace my life. You can’t try to tear my life down for what reason? I have to make a choice…and I can’t be around somebody trying to hurt me.” For viewers of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, it has become clear that piled up on top of all the anger is a ball of resentment, and I don’t think there is a way to recover.
Real Housewives of New Jersey can be streamed on Peacock.
