Although Kiki Barth thinks Melissa Gorga bought her Instagram followers, The Real Housewives of New Jersey star is fiercely defending the “platform” that she’s built. She’s making it clear that all three million of her followers are there of their own free will and not because they were paid.
During a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live, Melissa took a moment to respond to the shady comment that Kiki originally made at Bravo Fan Fest. According to Melissa, the continued accusations about her Instagram followers are downright “insulting”
Melissa Gorga set the record straight about her Instagram numbers
When Kiki first accused Melissa of buying her Instagram followers, she claimed that she saw the evidence with her own two eyes. Realistically, we all know that she really just said it because she heard Alexia Nepola say it first.
Either way, Melissa is adamant that her followers are the result of her successful business ventures. She put hard work into becoming one of the most-followed Bravo stars, and she said it feels “insulting” when other Housewives try to discredit her.
“It’s so crazy how I have so many successful businesses, and I have created this platform,” Melissa began. “It’s actually very disappointing when your fellow women around you that watch you work so hard to create the brand that I’ve created.”
Melissa isn’t totally off-base here. Because of her time on reality TV, she has Envy, the On Display podcast, and she just launched a sprinkle cookie business playing homage to the iconic RHONJ moment. She wouldn’t be able to sustain those projects with fake Instagram followers.
Melissa argued, “I think it’s just not fair. I work really hard. I would never cheat. I’m one of the few percent of Housewives that have very successful businesses. So, sorry I have the followers. And I dress cute, so they want to see what I’m wearing!”
The Real Houswives of New Jersey is streaming on Peacock.
