While the crusade against her on pause (for how long, who knows), and now that the cast has thoroughly roasted Jennifer Aydin it’s time to turn the spotlight on other important matters, like Teresa Giudice’s marriage.
The original RHONJ cast member’s relationship with husband Joe Giudice—or Juicy Joe as he’s often called, be still out hearts—was a hot topic throughout the season. With her husband in ICE detainment following the completion of his 41 month prison sentence and his risk of being deported back to his home country of Italy, Teresa spent much of the season mulling over the future of her 20-year marriage.
Teresa’s castmates, including sister-in-law Melissa Gorga, were as supportive of they could be of the mother-of-four’s situation. However, during Part 2 of the RHONJ reunion, her friends will finally come clean about what they really think of her relationship with Joe, starting with his unacceptable treatment of her.
It all starts when reunion host and Real Housewives creator Andy Cohen recalls a particularly toxic exchange when, during a phone call with his wife, Joe claimed Teresa won’t be able to get another man because she has “too much baggage.” In a sneak peek the upcoming episode, Andy asks Teresa how she felt about her husband comment and her castmates had thoughts of their own.
“Based on that conversation, I think he was insecure about her and he wanted to keep her down so she wouldn’t leave,” said Margaret “The Marge” Josephs in the clip.
Despite the women’s criticism of her husband, Teresa insists she was not unhappy in her marriage and goes on to say that Joe’s harsh treatment was only something she endured when the show was filming.
“I was not unhappy. I’m telling you because the only time he treated me like the way he spoke to me [then] was on the show. He tried to act like this macho guy. I don’t know what it was, but behind the scenes, he was good to me,” Teresa said.
Melissa seemed to disagree. “No, it was not just on the show,” she said.
“He hated the cameras. He did. And he would get so frustrated, so you would see it more. But he was always… he didn’t ‘baby’ her at all. He wasn’t passionate. He wasn’t kissy huggy. He was never pleasing Teresa,” Melissa continued.
According to Teresa, if she was truly unhappy with Joe, then she “would have never stayed.”
“We had a great marriage,” she said. “I mean, we did have a good marriage.
Melissa responded: “You could do a lot better.”
As many fans know now, since filming of RHONJ wrapped, Joe was released from ICE custody and relocated to Italy where he continues to await the final word on his deportation appeal. The couple officially separated in December 2019.
Part 2 of the Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 10 reunion airs on Bravo on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.
