‘RHONJ’ star Melissa Gorga to receive special honor

Melissa Gorga is a Page Six fixture and reality TV powerhouse — which is why Danny Murphy and Evan Real, the co-hosts of Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea,” are honoring her with a special award at the inaugural VRT Awards in September. 

The “Real Housewives of New Jersey” mainstay, 46 — who starred on twelve consecutive seasons of the hit show — will be given the That’s Mother! Award, paying tribute to the multidimensional diva of the Bravoverse.

Melissa is a literal mom, of course, having raised three children — Antonia, 19, Gino, 17, and Joey, 14 — with her husband, Joe Gorga. But she’s also “mother” in every sense of its Gen Z definition, someone who is iconic and serves as a role model or source of inspiration to many. 

Stylish, talented and influential, the star has commanded many different avenues outside of the unscripted space that made her a household name more than a decade ago. 

Inspired by her beloved pop single, “On Display,” Melissa successfully led a podcast called “On Display with Melissa Gorga,” which recently wrapped after a 177-episode run that began in 2021. 

She is also known for her love of fashion and founding multiple Envy by Melissa Gorga boutique locations across New Jersey and New York — where she helps shoppers curate looks that are just as fire as the ones she wears on screen or poses in for online content consumed by her millions of social media followers. 

Melissa expanded her business empire in late 2024, launching Let’s Sprinkle by MG — a sprinkle cookie and coffee cake company that has raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales in mere months, according to a New York Times profile. 

Not only is Melissa an adored matriarch, media personality and business maven but she is one of our favorite people to chat with at “Virtual Reali-Tea.” 

And, whether dancing onstage with her at BravoCon, getting the chance to shop with her at Envy or taste-testing Sprinkle Coffee Cake at the SiriusXM Page Six Radio studio, we go way back with Missy G. 

With that said, Danny and Evan couldn’t imagine producing the VRT Awards without including Melissa — who never fails to impress us. No matter what she does, we are always in awe and can’t help but whisper to ourselves, “That’s mother!”

Now, to hear us shout it loud and proud, be sure to get your tickets to the first-ever VRT Awards, taking place Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. at New York City’s City Winery. 

Other special guests include “Golden Kettle” recipients Alexia Nepola and Marysol Patton of “The Real Housewives of Miami.” The award — presented by Tri-State Cadillac — celebrates the duo’s one-of-a-kind tenure as stars of the juggernaut franchise. 

“Real Housewives of Potomac” star-turned-“Traitors” competitor Candiace Dillard Basset will also be in the house to receive the “Magic Mic” award — plus, give a special live performance! — as we honor her for establishing a formidable career as a musician, releasing ear-worms like “Drive Back” and “Fine Whine.”