The Gilded Age of the Real Housewives of New Jersey was arguably when Melissa Gorga, Teresa Giudice, and Kathy Wakile got along. These seasons showed the cousins actually having fun, laughing, and being there for one another. As a fan, I truly enjoyed watching the family dynamic because when it was good.
It reminded me of my own Garden State family. When I heard Melissa might be considering reuniting with Kathy and her sister Rosie Pierri, I had every finger crossed that this could happen. Cause, let’s be honest: fans deserve their happily ever after.
Hi neighbor!
On Jeff Lewis Live, Melissa revealed that she and Joe Gorga would see a lot more of the Wakile family. The reason is that Kathy decided to move only a couple of houses down from where her cousin built his new mansion. Melissa told the host, “She and Richie just bought the lot across the street from me, and they are building a house diagonal from me, across the street.” The mother of three noted, “It’s funny; everyone moves to my street. I lived on the other street first, and, you know, my sister-in-law moved onto the street, and then now I’m on this street, and Kathy is moving across the street.”
It turns out Joe found learned that his cousin was moving in after he bid on the property. Melissa stated, “He was driving down the street — and you kind of have to pass my house to see where Kathy’s building hers — and there was a lot for sale. It’s on the lake, so he came home, and he goes, ‘This went up yesterday. I am going to bid full price.” She continued, “And I was like, ‘Really, Joe?’ He’s like, ‘Yes, it’s on the lake. This never happens. One came up.’ So, Joe offered full price for the property — which was pretty high.”
Why did Kathy and Melissa stop speaking?
Photo Credit: Bravo Media
In 2021, Kathy told Bravo that she didn’t have a relationship with the Wakile family. The mother of two lamented, “I wish them well, but I’ve moved on. You try to do the best you can in a relationship, and that happens in real life. That happens without reality TV taking a part in it.” It is safe to assume that the theatrics of Real Housewives of New Jersey aided their demise.
Kathy seemed to confirm this notion. The chef shared, “A funny thing happens with reality TV — it’s a small blurb, it’s a small part in your life, and you live your life, and whatever gets aired, it gets aired, and you’re still living your life. But for certain people — people live in that bubble — and they don’t realize that there is a whole world outside of the bubble.” Since Kathy left the series, she and the Gorgas have been involved in quite a few public feuds.
There might be hope
Photo Credit: Bravo Media
While talking to Jeff, the Envy owner hinted that she would like to see Joe and Kathy reconcile. Melissa opened up about their dynamic, admitting that “Kathy was a good cousin” to Joe. Melissa even went a step further, claiming she would be happy to be the one who first breaks the ice if it means a possible reconnection. Melissa revealed her true intentions, saying, “I secretly hope Joe and Kathy are walking down the street one day and bump into each other.”
During the same interview, Melissa admitted that their relationships all went wrong and that they could take some accountability. The RHONJ star said, “I do think that he regrets, you know, he did what he had to do at the time to back his sister up and do what he had to do, but I really think he enjoyed Kathy. She took care of him. He had a great relationship with Kathy’s sister Rosie. Growing up, those two were extremely close — Joe and Rosie — so I do think it’s unfortunate. That’s family, and they’re not together.”
Even though Melissa sees them driving around the neighborhood all the time, they have yet to exchange words. However, according to Melissa’s insight, “I think deep down inside, he wants it too.” She explained, “Joe’s an emotional guy. He wears his heart on his sleeve. It’s hard. He comes from a place where he feels like he has to please. He felt like he had to please people his whole life and, you know, you never know what people go through, how people grew up, or what went on in life.”