When Melissa Gorga joined Real Housewives of New Jersey during Season 3, it was no secret that Teresa Giudice was furious. She didn’t want her brother, Joe Gorga, and his wife, Melissa, to infringe on her opportunity. By the time Melissa joined the show, there was already bad blood between the ladies. According to Teresa, she wasn’t told that Melissa was joining the cast. But Melissa claimed that Teresa always knew.
Remember how Melissa and Joe brought a fun and energetic vibe to the series? For Halloween, Melissa donned a sexy black catsuit while Joe dressed as Snooki from Jersey Shore. And at Christmas, Melissa committed the unforgivable sin of bringing sprinkle cookies to Teresa’s house.
Sadly, Melissa, Joe, and Teresa continued to feud through Season 14. There was a bit of a break after Teresa returned from serving her prison time. But in the end, this family could not pull together, even for the sake of their children. The Season 13 reunion marked the point where Teresa cut ties with her brother and sister-in-law.
Of course, Melissa has been a big part of this franchise. So, let’s kick back, eat a sprinkle cookie, and enjoy Melissa Gorga’s most memorable RHONJ moments.
When Melissa Gorga begged Teresa Giudice to stop hurting her family
During Season 5, the cast traveled to Lake George for a retreat. The goal? To reunite this fractured family. As Teresa argued with her brother, he called her “scum.” Then Teresa told her then-husband, “Juicy” Joe Giudice what her brother had called her.
When Juicy stormed into the room, demanding an apology, the two men attacked each other. The violent confrontation was horrible to watch. Melissa pleaded with Teresa to help her brother as she and Rich Wakile tried to pry the men apart. But Joe may have had the last laugh because his spray-on hair got all over Juicy.
During this retreat, Melissa got down on her knees in front of Teresa, with her hands clasped. “We’re asking you like this on our frigging knees to stop hurting us!” Melissa exclaimed. This group needed a miracle. Finally, Teresa and Joe shared their feelings during a session with a therapist.
Melissa Gorga indulged in a cake fight
During the Season 8 RHONJ premiere, the ladies took a trip to Florida. For the first time, Melissa and Teresa acted like family members. They laughed and had fun.
To celebrate Melissa’s birthday, Siggy Flicker ordered an elaborate cake. This cake was tailored specifically for Melissa, and it even had a replica of the black wallpaper in her boutique, Envy. It also featured a shoe on the top, with flowers and beading.
Of course, Melissa immediately hugged Siggy and thanked her. Then Teresa made a nice toast, and Melissa imitated her. That was Teresa’s cue to smash a piece of cake in Melissa’s face. Not to be outdone, Melissa grabbed a whole layer and tried to dump it on Teresa’s head.
As Melissa ran away, Teresa hurled the entire cake at her. Siggy was mortified and furious at the way the ladies treated the confectionary work of art.
When Melissa Gorga and Jennifer Aydin argued in Cabo
The cast trip to Cabo during Season 9 was a disaster. Margaret Josephs threw wine at Danielle Staub after Danielle slammed Margaret’s relationship with her kids. After Margaret left, Melissa confronted Jennifer Aydin and Danielle. She felt a piece of glass hit her leg, and she wasn’t going to allow Teresa’s buddies to get away with that.
“One of you threw a glass at me,” Melissa said, gesturing towards Danielle and Jennifer. A tequila-fueled Jennifer denied breaking any glass. “If I threw a glass at you, sweetheart, you would know it,” Jennifer stated. Suddenly inspired, she broke a glass on the table and brandished it at Melissa.
“You’ve got the wrong f*cking girl! I’m telling you right now,” Melissa exclaimed as she headed over to Jennifer’s side of the table. Thankfully, the ladies never got physical.
When drunken Melissa celebrated her birthday
During Season 9, Melissa celebrated her birthday, and she was feeling no pain. She grabbed Teresa’s “boobies” and said that she was going to put the cake there. Then, she jumped up on Teresa, wrapped her legs around her waist, and leaned back so her head was almost touching the floor.
Next, the drunken birthday girl danced around and yelled at her husband. “I’m successful. Deal with it, b*tch!” Melissa shouted at Joe. Finally, her blinged-out cake rolled out.
After noting how pretty the cake was, Melissa made an announcement. In a nod to the drama over Siggy’s cake, Melissa told everyone they could throw it if they wanted to. Then she ordered her guests to hit the dance floor. But she nearly fell when she slipped on some cake that was plastered on the floor.
Melissa Gorga’s tension with her husband, Joe Gorga
This was the first time that RHONJ viewers saw any marital tension between Joe and Melissa. While the cast dined at a restaurant, Melissa called Joe, “high-maintenance.” When Melissa left the restaurant ahead of Joe and didn’t wait for him, he was annoyed. He slid into the seat beside her in the van and slammed the door.
He told her that she should have waited for her husband. “She’s just changed. You turned into this different businesswoman,” he told Melissa.
“If I have a little success in my own personal life, it’s not against you,” she replied. But Joe continued to be in his funk, stating that they may have grown apart.
“Alright, let me kiss your *ss. Joe’s throwing a hissy fit everyone. Let me kiss his *ss!” Melissa exclaimed. Then she labeled her hubby as “spoiled.” Yikes!
When Melissa Gorga called Teresa Giudice “a weak b*tch”
During Season 11 at the Jersey Shore, Jackie Goldschneider asked Teresa if she learned to be confident in jail. Mentioning jail to Teresa was guaranteed to fire up a reaction. A furious Teresa felt that someone should have had her back. When Melissa pointed out that Teresa spread untrue rumors about Jackie’s husband cheating on her, Teresa wondered why Melissa and Jennifer didn’t defend her.
Here comes Hurricane Melissa. “Really? Because all of a sudden you’re a weak b*tch who can’t defend herself?” she yelled before throwing a cheese platter. Really – did it have to be cheese? So unnecessary.
Still, Melissa was determined to hold Teresa’s feet to the fire. She slammed her for not defending her and Joe when Juicy talked about them in the press. “You’re a sick f*cking b*tch. I defended you too many f*cking times,” Melissa said. This exchange was a lot.
Melissa faces off with Teresa at the reunion
During the Season 13 reunion, Teresa feuded non-stop with Melissa and Joe. Add in Teresa’s husband, Luis Ruelas, and this reunion was beyond stressful.
At least the fashion was on point. Melissa sat in her sparkly, royal blue gown with a hood, looking at Teresa as she applied her lip gloss. “I know you hate me, but just try to control yourself,” Melissa said.
Later, Teresa said, “I can’t wait to never f*cking look at your face again after today.” Melissa didn’t look impressed. “Oh, why? Where are you going?” she asked.
“You’re leaving,” Teresa replied. “Oh, I am?” Melissa responded. This was the reunion where Teresa cut ties with Joe and Melissa. It was also probably the final time we would see Teresa and Melissa at a RHONJ reunion together.
Melissa Gorga and Teresa Giudice have a posing contest
The Season 14 finale at The Rails was a mess. After Danielle Cabral nearly leaped over the table at Jennifer Aydin, Melissa embraced the opportunity to bash Teresa. “They learned from the best, white trash,” Melissa told her. So, Teresa repeatedly called Melissa a “whore.”
Right away, Melissa responded by referencing her daughter, Antonia Gorga. “I’m Antonia’s mom,” Melissa said. “I’ll let her know you think I’m a ‘whore.’” I’m sure Antonia wasn’t happy hearing what Aunt Teresa said.
Finally, the two women stood across the table from each other in a pose-off. Melissa couldn’t hide her sly smirk as she stared at Teresa. You could feel the hateful vibes between the sisters-in-law. Once again, this is most likely the last time we will see Melissa and Teresa filming together. And that is for the best.
Still, Melissa has contributed some truly memorable RHONJ moments.
