Kim “D” DePaola said the future of Real Housewives of New Jersey is “not looking good,” shared her theory on Bravo’s “plan B,” and addressed Jennifer Aydin’s recent return claim.
In a social media video, Jennifer alleged she was coming back next season. But host Andy Cohen later declared that no decisions have been made. As of now, the show is on hiatus with reports of a cast shakeup. Some believe the cast will be completely replaced – like their colleagues across the Hudson River on Real Housewives of New York.
Speaking to Daily Mail, Kim shared that “not one person has been contacted” concerning casting decisions for season 15.
“I can tell you this that I know for a fact — every single one of them is sweating it. Every one of them is upset now. Every one of them is feeling the pain,” said the alum. “It’s not looking good.”
She believes some stars may “have regrets” about their actions on season 14, and the network is planning for a reboot. She thinks, however, that Bravo also created a “plan B” in case the right group can’t be found.
“It’s much easier to cast in New York City than it is in New Jersey. They cannot find the right people in Jersey,” she explained. “If that happens, I believe Teresa will come back… We’re going to see two different things. It’s either going to be a complete reboot or you’ll see Teresa come back. I see Dolores coming back, and then we’ll see from there.”
“But plan A would be a reboot, then plan B would be because they cannot find the right people. Jersey’s very difficult to infiltrate,” Kim added.
Kim was asked if she believes Melissa Gorga would return to film with Teresa, her sister-in-law.
“It’s not going to happen. Andy Cohen will not do this again,” she said. She then addressed Danielle Cabral, who got in a physical altercation with Jennifer last season. “[Danielle] 100 percent should never come back.”
She then addressed Jennifer’s claim that she’s returning.
“I think people are so nasty and so sarcastic that I think she just said it as a whim, like screw you, we’re coming back, that type of thing. I don’t think she thought that it would grow these wings and fly the way it did,” said Kim.
The alum then hinted at the idea of her own potential comeback.
“I am not blackballed. I mean, if there’s an opportunity with Teresa, I’m sure that I would be seen with her… because Teresa and I have become real friends. We’re back to where we were. We’re at that place,” she said. “One hundred percent genuine friendship. When I interviewed her [for my podcast] I said, ‘Out of all your friends, what was the best advice you had ever gotten?’ She goes, ‘you give me the best advice’… I almost fell off my chair, but it’s true, because I tell her the truth.”
“I just want everyone to know that I’m just really content with my life. I’m really happy. This is like another chapter of my life. I’m older now. I’m more settled in my house and my animals, and I never thought I would love something as much as walking into that [podcast] studio,” she said. “For 15 years that I’ve been having fashion shows, and I was selling clothes, had my two boutiques, three boutiques actually, and I woke up one day about a month ago, and I’m like, you know what? I’m not feeling this anymore.”
She’s now focused on her Patreon, having gigs where she can meet up with fans, and her new book, My Life With The Big Boys.