Whether Melissa Gorga likes it or not, her “baby girl” is all grown up.
Like many parents, The Real Housewives of New Jersey mom has admittedly struggled watching her firstborn’s transition from adolescence into adulthood. It’s a completely understandable reaction, as a child’s increasing confidence and independence makes them less reliant on the people who raised them. Melissa touched on the bittersweet experience in a March 9 Instagram Story, in which she reacted to Antonia’s OOTD TikTok.
Melissa Gorga reacts to Antonia’s little black dress moment
The video began with a shot of Antonia rocking a casual look with an oversized graphic tee, lounge shorts, and a messy bun. The clip then cut to Antonia in a stunning black minidress with an open back and lace detailing around the neckline and shoulder straps. She completed the ensemble with a sleek middle-part hairstyle, gold-toned jewelry, and a pair of open-toed red heels.
@antoniagorgaa 🖤🖤
Melissa watched the TikTok shortly after it was published and was left in complete disbelief.
“Like how does this even happen?” the Jersey ’Wife wrote on Instagram. “I like little [Antonia].”
Melissa takes a style cue from Antonia: “I like these…”
A series of Melissa Gorga commenting how fast her daughter, Antonia Gorga, has grown up, posted to Instagram stories. Photo: Antonia Gorga/Instagram; Melissa Gorga/Instagram
Although she’s yearning for the days when Antonia was a child, Melissa is still quite close with her 19-year-old daughter who is now a sophomore in college. She shed more light on their bond in another March 9 Instagram Story after she swiped Antonia’s new sunglasses.
“So these sunnies just showed up to my house and they said they were for Antonia Gorga,” Melissa recalled in the video. “And I opened them and I was like, ‘You know what? I like these. Straight from Amazon’… So I text her and she’s like, ‘I need those. Send them to me right now. I need them for next weekend.’ No, order yourself another pair. I really like them.”
Antonia responded to the Story shortly after, writing: “Give them back like what.”
Melissa reflects on Antonia’s college journey: “Crazy”
Antonia posts a photo of herself and Melissa on March 24, 2024 in Huntington, New York to Instagram. Photo: Antonia Gorga/Instagram
In 2023, the Jersey daughter said goodbye to the Garden State and headed to the University of Delaware. Melissa reflected on Antonia’s new chapter in a 2023 interview with People magazine, saying she was excited to see her baby girl gain more life experience and independence.
“She needs to know what it’s like to wash her own clothes and buy her own detergent. I just think she needs that,” Melissa explained. “I do everything for her. It’s good for her to be independent and learn who she is, so I’m excited for her. It’s going to be a huge change not to have her bossing us around this house like she does, but I think it’s going to be great for her. You guys met her as a 4-year-old little girl talking about how old Jesus is, and now you’re going to see her go out to college, which is crazy.”
See how Antonia’s father, Joe Gorga, stays connected to her while she’s away at college.