Melissa Gorga, Rachel Fuda, and other Real Housewives of New Jersey castmates hinted that the current cast can’t go forward as it is, following the dramatic season finale – which seemingly closed the chapter on this specific group. Around the same time, a promo gave insight into how the upcoming reunion special will go down with Jennifer Fessler declaring that she won’t film with a “room” of “snakes.”
Amid the cast divide, Bravo decided to film the opposing sides separately in an ‘alternate’ reunion without host Andy Cohen, as castmates watched back the intense finale. Since the season wrapped, reports have indicated that the current cast will either be completely replaced or get a major overhaul.
In an interview for BravoTV, Teresa Giudice said the show isn’t supposed to be about “cutting people out” and having “teams,” which is “so high-schoolish.”
In her own interview, Melissa addressed the future of RHONJ.
“I don’t know where the group goes from here but … I wouldn’t take anything back,” said Melissa, via @therealhousewiveszone on Instagram. “At the end of the day, I fight for my family and my husband and my kids and what’s morally right.” The star said she wants to be around people who “want to see [her] thrive.” And if they don’t wish her well, it’s time to “remove them” from her life.
Rachel declared that the “multi-million-dollar question” is “where do we go from here” as a group. She doesn’t know “if there can be a next chapter” with “this group of women.”
Jackie answered, “I don’t think the group as it is goes anywhere from here,” but she added that there are “some good people” in the group who are “open to resolutions” and a “good time,” and they know how to have “petty” fights. According to Jackie, if you “build around” those people, there can be a “great show.”
Danielle said there’s “no going back” after what was “done this year.”
Even Fessler said she doesn’t believe a group reconciliation is “in the cards.”
Meanwhile, Bravo dropped a promo for the upcoming alternate reunion.
In the video, shared by @queensofbravo on Instagram, an announcer said the cast will have “the ultimate sit-down” at The Rails as they watch the finale.
In one clip, Dolores expressed that she didn’t “want to see this part,” and she called the actions of one castmate “wrong.”
During another moment in Margaret and Melissa’s camp, Fessler was standing near the table saying, “I don’t have to sit in a room like this with snakes.”
At one point, Margaret called a certain scene “disgusting,” and Teresa seemingly told Dolores to stop “stick[ing] up” for someone.
The reunion special airs next Sunday night on Bravo.