Teresa Giudice: Jersey's Finest (Re-Release)

Summary

Let's Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa

Episode: Teresa Giudice: Jersey’s Finest (Re-Release)

Original Air Date: August 27, 2025
Host: Kelly Ripa
Guest: Teresa Giudice (with co-host Albert Bianchini)

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Episode Overview

In this deeply personal and candid conversation, Kelly Ripa sits down with Real Housewives of New Jersey OG Teresa Giudice. With rumors swirling about the show’s future and the long-standing rift in Teresa’s family, the episode covers everything from her relationships (both love and family) to the toll of fame, resilience after scandal, and her hopes for the future. The tone is warm, off-the-cuff, and evocative of two old friends talking “off camera.”

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Growing Up in the Spotlight: Teresa's Kids & Family Life

• Children in the Public Eye: Teresa talks about raising her four daughters in front of reality TV audiences (07:54).

  • Gia is fine with the visibility, but Gabriella is very private and has set boundaries about sharing her life online or on TV.
    • “I’m not allowed to post a picture of her unless she approves it...she never wants to be tagged. She’s my brainiac.” (08:37, Teresa)
  • Gabriella recently started an internship in finance in NYC, and Teresa respects her choice to opt out of filming.

• Blended Family: Teresa discusses blending her life with new husband Louie and his children, noting the process was “pretty amazing” and “easy” compared to what it could have been (12:44).

• Motherhood and Financial Realities: Discussion about the expense and intensity of raising daughters.

  • “You’re gonna be working until the day you die.” (07:18, Kelly)
  • The girls’ various educational and life paths are shared, including colleges and living arrangements.

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2. Finding Love After Hardship: Teresa & Louie's Love Story

• How They Met: A serendipitous meeting at the Jersey Shore, complete with mistaken car identity and help from mutual friends—captured in the classic Jersey narrative style.

  • “Our first two dates were walking...I met him at the Jersey Shore.” (12:44, Teresa)
  • “He said he didn’t know who I was. He watched House...he watched Atlanta.” (16:18, Teresa)

• A COVID Romance with a Twist of Fate: Teresa reflects on losing her parents and asking them for a sign—meeting Louie weeks later (19:42).

  • “I looked up in the sky and talked to my parents...send me a guy that’s everything you ever wanted for me and more.” (19:50, Teresa)
  • Louie is characterized as her “twin flame,” as affirmed by a psychic.

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3. The Scandal Years: Prison, Divorce & Redemption

• Legal Troubles & Fallout: Teresa details how her ex-husband Joe’s partner “ratted her out,” leading to her prison sentence (26:00).

  • She describes her shock: “Never in a million years thought that I would go away. Not that I was being cocky, but...I just signed one property.” (30:29, Teresa)

• Strength Through Adversity: Prison became a time for inner growth.

  • “I worked out every day. I did yoga. I read a lot of books and concentrated on myself...this is part of my journey.” (31:36, Teresa)
  • She tried to be strong for her daughters and hid the seriousness of her absence by telling them she was “at work.” (32:28)
  • Gia, her oldest, also matured quickly, taking a caretaker role for her sisters during Teresa’s absence.

• Forgiveness & Moving Forward: Teresa expresses that, though she was deeply hurt, she has forgiven Joe.

  • “You forgive him?” (35:39, Kelly)
  • “Yes. Totally forgave him.” (35:40, Teresa)
  • Joe’s failure to secure US citizenship and resulting deportation is covered (36:03).

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4. The Real Housewives Effect: Family, Betrayal & Fame

• Strained Sibling Bond: Teresa’s tumultuous relationship with her brother Joe and sister-in-law Melissa is delved into.

  • Teresa reveals she had no idea they’d join the show, considering it a deep betrayal (39:21).
    • “Absolutely not. No.” (39:21, Teresa, on whether she knew they were joining.)
  • On family loyalty:
    • “To me, family is so sacred. Like, I’m all about...the Godfather movie. You never go against the family. I live by that.” (44:46, Teresa)
  • Watching early RHONJ seasons:**
    • “God was with me, because there was a reason why I didn’t watch those seasons...I spared my parents any pain.” (01:31 and 38:14, Teresa)

• Drama, Reconciliations & Boundaries:

  • Kelly pushes for peace, but Teresa is clear the breach is permanent:
    • “Will we never see the two of you on camera together ever again?” (44:40, Kelly)
    • “Never again. Never again...I’m a loyal person.” (44:46, Teresa)
  • She describes reconciling with castmates like Jackie, proving some relationships can be repaired, but others are too far gone (41:16).

• Impact on Identity & Parenting:

  • Teresa reflects on portraying authentic strength for her daughters, which she believes helped them weather public scandals (34:14).
  • On her daughters’ futures: Gia’s law ambition is tied to defending families like hers (36:03).

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5. Reflections on Fame, Podcasting, and the Future

• Regrets and Alternate Pasts:

  • Kelly asks if Teresa ever wishes she’d never joined RHONJ—what life would look like without fame’s magnifier (25:50).
  • Teresa defends her choices, explaining she intentionally waited almost a year to sign her contract, but ultimately dove in with little legal protection (27:39).

• On Her Podcast “Turning the Tables”:

  • Kelly encourages Teresa to use her podcast for real-time recaps and storytelling. Teresa is open to the idea, emphasizing her transparency and willingness to “tell the truth” (54:40).
    • “I’m all about telling the truth. Like, I’m very transparent. I’m not calculated, I’m not strategic. I’m real.” (55:00, Teresa)

• Perspective on the Show’s Future:

  • The differences between RHONJ and other Housewife franchises are discussed, especially the deep, intertwined lives of Jersey cast members (46:32).
  • Kelly: “My concern is, like, if you shake up a cast where we feel like we are part of the family...” (47:48)
  • Teresa: “I would hope [they couldn’t do the show without me].” (47:56)

• Finding New Love at Midlife:

  • Teresa describes meeting Louie as “worth the wait,” and how he and his son have helped her heal and move on (49:56).
  • She shares touching moments, like all spending New Year’s Eve together—including Joe and his new girlfriend—demonstrating how far she’s come emotionally (51:13).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Protecting Her Family:

  • “If I would have watched those seasons, it would have been so ugly between me and my brother and my parents would have had to have witnessed that. And I’m glad I didn’t watch it because, you know, I spared my parents any pain.” (01:31, 38:14 Teresa)

• On Strength and Resilience:

  • “I didn’t even cry when I got [to prison]...I was very strong. I told my parents I was totally fine. I’m like, ‘this is camp.’” (32:23 Teresa)

• On Family Betrayal:

  • “To me, family is so sacred. Like, I’m all about...the Godfather movie. You never go against the family. I live by that.” (44:46 Teresa)

• On Reconciliation:

  • “Will we never see the two of you on camera together ever again? Never again. Never again.” (44:40 Kelly & 44:46 Teresa)

• On Moving Forward:

  • “Now I got my happy ending because I knew in my heart I was very confident...I didn’t do anything.” (31:36 Teresa)

• On Authenticity:

  • “I’m all about telling the truth. Like, I’m very transparent...I just really feel my authentic life.” (55:00 Teresa)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:31 — Teresa on why she avoided watching certain RHONJ seasons to spare her parents pain.
• 07:54–09:13 — Teresa discusses her daughters and the realities of parenting in the public eye.
• 12:44–18:53 — Teresa details meeting Louie, the start of their relationship, and blending their families.
• 19:42–22:01 — Reflecting on finding love after losing her parents; asking them for a “sign.”
• 26:00–31:36 — The legal troubles, prison experience, and the impact on Teresa and her children.
• 34:14–35:39 — On forgiveness, the aftermath of prison, and Joe’s guilt and deportation.
• 38:14–39:44 — The family rift, betrayal, and discovering her brother and sister-in-law joined RHONJ behind her back.
• 44:40–46:18 — Will Teresa and Melissa ever film together again? (Spoiler: “Never again.”)
• 47:56–48:48 — Cast shake-up possibilities and Teresa’s place on the show.
• 49:56–51:52 — Teresa finds peace and positivity with Louie, even celebrating holidays with her ex.
• 54:40–55:00 — Teresa on podcasting, storytelling, and her approach to truthfulness.

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Final Notes

This episode is a quintessential “off-camera” reality check on Teresa Giudice’s life—unfiltered, vulnerable, and insightful. Fans and casual listeners alike will be left with a nuanced perspective on the cost of fame, the resilience required to survive public scandal, and the power of family—both chosen and biological.

Be sure to check out Teresa’s podcast Turning the Tables and catch the season finale of Real Housewives of New Jersey on Bravo.

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End of Summary

Transcript

[Narrator/Advertiser]

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[Kelly Ripa]

Summer break should be fun, but it also means setbacks for kids from losing reading skills to facing mental health struggles. That's why Macy's is partnering with Reading is Fundamental and the national alliance on Mental Illness in their work to keep kids reading over the summer and to help young adults find the mental health resources they need now through September 14, Macy's shoppers can donate to these incredible organizations at checkout, in store or online. Visit macy's.compurpose to learn more. Hey everyone, Today I'm bringing you back to one of our most talked about episodes with fellow Jersey girl Teresa Giudice. With the future of the Royal Housewives of New Jersey now up in the air, Teresa Giudice goes deep on where the rift with her sister in law began which led to them refusing to film with each other and why you never go against the family. She discusses finding love again and where her relationship stands with her ex, Joe Giudice, who is currently asking Trump for a pardon. Let's take a listen.

[Teresa Giudice]

God was with me because there was a reason why I didn't watch those seasons. Kelly. If I would have watched those seasons, it would have been so ugly between me and my brother and my parents would have had to have witnessed that. And I'm glad I didn't watch it because, you know, I spared my parents any pain.

[Kelly Ripa]

Somebody gonna cue me or do I cue myself?

[Teresa Giudice]

Cue yourself.

[Kelly Ripa]

Okay. Hey everybody. We're back with another episode of let's Off Camera. So let's get talking. Well, today's guest needs no introduction, but let's introduce her. She's a fellow Jersey girl, Albert. Just like your mom and me. She's a New York Times best selling author, a podcast host. She's the true OG of the Real Housewives of nj. Namaste, bitches. We're talking about Teresa Giudice. Giudice. Giudice. Giudice. While we wait for her to join. Oh, did you hear that? That was my stomach.

[Albert Bianchini]

No, I did not.

[Teresa Giudice]

Oh my God.

[Kelly Ripa]

Did you hear that? Oh, I hope that Mike picked it up. I've been stress eating listeners. I was telling these guys before we started the broadcast that I've been stress eating everything. I don't know if you're like me, but when you. Do you ever stress eat? When I'm stressed, I don't eat. So, like, when I'm bored, I eat when I'm stressed. When I'm stressed about myself, like, if it's me centric, I can't eat.

[Teresa Giudice]

Right.

[Kelly Ripa]

But if I'm just stressed, say globally, then.

[Albert Bianchini]

Then you're stressed.

[Kelly Ripa]

Then I'm going in there, I'm eating. I ate a pudding cup. Hi. Where'd that come from? Did somebody have their tonsils removed in our house? And there's just a pudding cup. A pudding cup. And then I.

[Albert Bianchini]

What type of pudding was it?

[Kelly Ripa]

It was vanilla. It was Nilla pudding.

[Albert Bianchini]

Vanilla pudding.

[Kelly Ripa]

And then I had.

[Albert Bianchini]

Jan, we're talking about food.

[Kelly Ripa]

Then I had Pepperidge Farm goldfish.

[Albert Bianchini]

Oh, dream with the pudding.

[Kelly Ripa]

I ate the pudding first. Then I needed a little salt to wash down the sweet, salty. And then after the salt, I had the. You know what I consider fruit, Dried cherries for the sweet sour. So I had sweet, salty. Sweet sour.

[Albert Bianchini]

I love it.

[Kelly Ripa]

And now I'm here, you know, just with complete indigestion. So. You're welcome, listeners.

[Albert Bianchini]

Love it.

[Kelly Ripa]

How was your weekend, skies?

[Albert Bianchini]

I have to give a shout out to Mr. Berlanti, who invited me to the premiere of Fly Me to the Moon last week, which was very amazing, and he's an avid listener of this podcast, asked if we would talk about it, and I said we would.

[Teresa Giudice]

How was the movie? Was it great?

[Albert Bianchini]

The movie was amazing.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah.

[Albert Bianchini]

Yeah. And it's. And Greg and I have known each other for decades and like, start. He, you know, he was a young writer on Dawson's Creek.

[Kelly Ripa]

Wait, did he write that movie?

[Albert Bianchini]

He directed it.

[Teresa Giudice]

Are you kidding?

[Albert Bianchini]

Yeah, he directed it.

[Kelly Ripa]

I didn't know that.

[Albert Bianchini]

Yeah, it was amazing. You buried the reed. He did a great job. And he was there, his whole family, the entire row was like 20 people of his, just his family that he flew out.

[Kelly Ripa]

Berlanti.

[Albert Bianchini]

Berlanti.

[Kelly Ripa]

It's. Of course he said he did it.

[Albert Bianchini]

And he asked me to go with him. The next morning, Andy did an interview with him on radio. Andy. Which was. And Andy was like, how do you do with these two kids? It went into the whole thing. But he said he. He's like, you travel with your family. And Greg's like, yeah, I'm always ordering a sprinter van. Which is true.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah.

[Albert Bianchini]

But he it was an incredible movie. Yeah. Everyone flipped out over it, and it was exciting.

[Kelly Ripa]

I love that scar, Joe.

[Albert Bianchini]

Oh, my God. She's great in it.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah, she's great in everything.

[Albert Bianchini]

Channing Tatum, the two of them have such great chemistry. But, yeah, it's great.

[Kelly Ripa]

I love her.

[Albert Bianchini]

It's in theaters. It should be seen in theaters. It's a big, big movie.

[Kelly Ripa]

It's a big movie.

[Teresa Giudice]

I'll go see that.

[Albert Bianchini]

Yeah.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah, I'll go see that.

[Teresa Giudice]

Okay, our housewife is ready.

[Kelly Ripa]

Oh, my gosh. Hi, honey.

[Teresa Giudice]

Hi. Kelly.

[Kelly Ripa]

This is off camera, as you can tell. I am like, I have to apologize for my appearance.

[Teresa Giudice]

Oh, I don't care. You look beautiful.

[Kelly Ripa]

You look beautiful, by the way.

[Teresa Giudice]

I mean, I just have sweats on. I have a black T shirt and sweats on. That's it. And I just went to go put some makeup on for you. That's it.

[Kelly Ripa]

So I was telling Albert, like, you were very generous with your time last week. We had an availability on our show, and you showed up in the 11th hour, and you were so great. But when I talk to you, I feel like I'm talking to all of my friends from high school. You're younger than I am, but I still feel like I'm talking to my cousins, all of my friends from high school. Like, we're all very. It's all very similar.

[Teresa Giudice]

I made a comment that I grew up watching you on my Instagram, and someone said, kelly's only a year and a half older than you. And I was like, okay. I was like, oh, okay.

[Kelly Ripa]

So I. Yeah, but we were. But I was like, yeah, I was. I was a teenager when I went to work on that show, so that's probably right.

[Teresa Giudice]

Like, I.

[Kelly Ripa]

People say that's me.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. Like, I met, like, watching you. Like, I really watched you on television, and I love that. All my children. And I loved you and Mark together. I thought you guys were the, you know, the best couple ever. I was, like, a blonde and with a Latino. I'm, like, so hot. You know, I'm like. And I always said you guys would make beautiful babies, and you did, you know? I know.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yes. And so did you, by the way. I want to. First of all, you know, your kids. You have four daughters, so. Four. We have one daughter.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yes.

[Kelly Ripa]

And she. If the boys only knew how much more money we spend on her.

[Teresa Giudice]

Trust me.

[Kelly Ripa]

Like, so you have four times. Alola, I don't know. Like, you're gonna be working until the day you die.

[Teresa Giudice]

Trust me, I know. Trust me. I know.

[Kelly Ripa]

But they're also lovely and successful and they grew up, you know, our. Our kids on the show. I'm talking to Jan here because Jan's kids also grew up on the show. Our kids came on for, like, family cooking segments or the Halloween show. They would come dressed up as costumes over the years. But your kids have really been very prominent from the day they were born onto this show.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yes.

[Kelly Ripa]

They've been like co stars of yours, if you will.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yes.

[Kelly Ripa]

Are you grateful that you have this time capsule of your children that you're able to look back and watch them grow up over the years? Has it been too intrusive on their privacy? Do they love it? Do they hate it?

[Teresa Giudice]

Gia is fine with it. Yeah, Gia is fine with it. My oldest, my second daughter, the one that goes to Michigan.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah.

[Teresa Giudice]

She's very private.

[Kelly Ripa]

She's the private one. We've been calling her the private one for years.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yes. Yeah.

[Kelly Ripa]

She's like our Joaquin. Like Joaquin who also goes to University of Michigan.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yes.

[Kelly Ripa]

He could be in this house and we wouldn't know. He's, like, so secretive. We don't know where he is or what he's doing.

[Teresa Giudice]

How cute. Yeah. And I, like, I. I'm not allowed to post a picture of. Of her unless she approves it. And she's private on Instagram and she never wants to be tagged. And, you know, she's like, you know, she's my brainiac, which I love. Like, she's going to start her internship in finance in the city August 1st.

[Kelly Ripa]

Oh, amazing.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yes. I'm so happy for her. And yes, that's, you know, she doesn't want to be in this world, which I'm totally fine with. You know, I mean, when I asked her to film with me, like, that's why she didn't want to. She was like, that's why we didn't film University of Michigan. She was like, ma, absolutely not.

[Kelly Ripa]

You know, she wants to establish herself on her own.

[Teresa Giudice]

Correct. So that's why we didn't film that. But, you know, we filmed her, you know, packing up her, you know, here and then that was it. And then know the truck picked up her stuff and that was it. Yeah. So. And I, I respect your privacy. I respect it.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah.

[Kelly Ripa]

I think that's why you're a good mom. Like, you. You allow your daughters to be in it or not in it. I feel like Gia is, like, coming into her own on the show. Will she be like, as I'm like, I'm fast forwarding to next season because this season is Almost over, which we'll get into. But do you think next season she'll be more prominent in the show?

[Teresa Giudice]

I would love for her to. Cause, I mean, she is. I mean, she has grown up on the show. Yeah. And, I mean, some people get jealous on the show that she's around, like, some of my cast members, and it's like, who cares? And they call her a kid, and she's not a kid. She's 23. She's an adult. So she.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah, but. But. But for us, the viewers, she's always gonna be like, you know what I mean? Like, I still, like, I call my kids the kids.

[Teresa Giudice]

No, I know, I know.

[Kelly Ripa]

So are you down to one daughter living at home?

[Teresa Giudice]

So. Well, Gia moved back home. Gia graduated Rutgers.

[Kelly Ripa]

Okay, so she's living back home.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah, she's living.

[Kelly Ripa]

She's. She's going to be a lawyer, right?

[Teresa Giudice]

Yes. So she's. She took her LSATs to go into law school, so she was studying, studying, studying. And then, you know, she got so stressed out by it. And it was last year while we were filming, so it was a lot. She was, you know, filming and she was studying, but then her tutors, you know, said, you know, she wasn't ready to take them. So she was really upset, which I felt bad. So right now, she's been doing a lot of influencing. She's doing well. And that's where the money is now. Yeah. I mean, and she's so good at it, so. Yeah, so. So she's like, mommy, I'm gonna, you know, take a break, enjoy the summer. And then she says she's gonna go back to it. So I said, no problem.

[Kelly Ripa]

You know, she can make a boatload of money. She can pay for law school.

[Teresa Giudice]

I know. I would love that. I would love that.

[Kelly Ripa]

Amazing. I'm sure. My God, law school has got to be a fortune.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yes, it is. And she wants to go to a New York law school. So whatever. You know, whatever one she gets into. Yeah.

[Kelly Ripa]

Okay. So she's living home, and then your youngest is home, because the other two. Are they.

[Teresa Giudice]

Well, you know, Gabrielle's gonna go back to Michigan. Melania is going to University of Tampa.

[Kelly Ripa]

Oh, fun.

[Teresa Giudice]

It's going to be her first year. Yeah.

[Kelly Ripa]

Oh, my gosh. University of Tampa sounds warm and luxurious.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yes. And then the baby's home. I call it my youngest. She's 14, and she's going to be a sophomore.

[Kelly Ripa]

The newborn.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah, Adriana. And my stepson lives here.

[Kelly Ripa]

Oh, that's great.

[Teresa Giudice]

Oh, my gosh.

[Kelly Ripa]

You've got A house full.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. And he's 20 and he's going to be 21 in November. And then I don't know if you know, but Louie has an older son, same age as G. As 23. He has autism. He lives with Louie's ex wife, and he comes to see us every other weekend.

[Kelly Ripa]

Oh, that's nice. And do you get along well with. With his mom?

[Teresa Giudice]

Yes, I do. Yeah.

[Kelly Ripa]

Oh, that's great. So important. I like the way you blended your families. You guys blended your families so seamless. You made it look effortless. But I happen to know that anytime something looks effortless, it takes a lot of work. Like, there's a lot of work that goes into it. So how soon was it? Like, when you introduced Louis to the girls and when you met Louis sons, Like, how soon did that happen? And did everybody vibe right away?

[Teresa Giudice]

So I have to say, Kelly, it was. I mean, it was pretty amazing. I got really lucky because, you know, it could be hard blending families together. So, I mean, when I first met Louie, our first two dates were walking. I met him at the Jersey Shore. Walking. That's how I.

[Kelly Ripa]

Literally, that's where all good things happen. The Jersey Shore is.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah.

[Kelly Ripa]

Like how. Yeah, like, did you just walk into each other? Were you walking?

[Teresa Giudice]

Well, I was walking down, you know, walking down Bay Boulevard. It's great. In Ortley, you know, Ortley Beach. And he was leaving his shore house. Like, he was never at the Jersey Shore before. He always, like, traveled to always different parts of Europe. But this year was his first year that his secretary said, why don't you try the Jersey Shore? And so he's like, all right.

[Kelly Ripa]

That's so wild. It's such a wild thing to say.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah, isn't it?

[Kelly Ripa]

Goes to Europe.

[Teresa Giudice]

I know. Isn't it crazy?

[Kelly Ripa]

Like, I guess crazy.

[Teresa Giudice]

You know why? Because the day before he, believe it or not, he took his company public on the nasdaq.

[Kelly Ripa]

Okay.

[Teresa Giudice]

He took his son and his friends down to the Jersey shore. He rented a shore house for a week. And I met him on a Friday, so he was leaving his shore house early. So it was Friday, around 11:30 that day. I was hungover, went out in Jersey, drove back down the shore. And because it was my friend's birthdays, and then my friend's like, all right, come on, let's go. She's like, let's go. Walk in. So I went. And as I was with my married friend and another single friend, so it was the three of us. So we're walking and then all of A sudden, we were walking, and I saw this white Range Rover with black rims. So. And I just got rid of my white Range Rover with black rims. So I was, like, pointing at his car. I was like, oh. I'm like, that guy has my car. Like, I just got rid of my car. So Louis thought I waved. So then he waved, and I. And then my friend Dana is like, oh, my God, he's waving. And I'm like, oh, my God. I'm like, oh. And I got, you know, like, all right. And then my married friend went. She's like, I'm going to go. I'm going to go talk to him. So my married friend crossed the street. I stayed on the sidewalk, and I see them talking, and I'm like, well, let's go say hi. I'm like, that's rude that, you know, we just left her by herself, you know? So then we went over there. I'm like, hi, I'm Teresa. He introduced himself. If you asked me what we talked about, I don't remember. It was like, you know, I was, like, a little nervous.

[Kelly Ripa]

Why did your married friend go over to talk to him? Like, this is the curiosity to try.

[Teresa Giudice]

To see if he was single? Exactly. Yes.

[Kelly Ripa]

No kidding.

[Teresa Giudice]

I swear. It's my daughter's best. Adriana's best friend's mom. Yeah. Dana, you have to see, when her husband found out, he's like, oh, really? You went up to him. Like, that was so funny.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah, that's so funny.

[Teresa Giudice]

I'm like, meanwhile, she did it for me, you know?

[Kelly Ripa]

This is the best, Jan. This is why the Jersey Shore is better than the Hamptons.

[Teresa Giudice]

So anyway, so then, you know, I introduced. Oh, my God. Hi, I'm Teresa. And his son was there. Kelly. Louis. The one that. Little. Louis.

[Kelly Ripa]

Kidding.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. He was with him. So he was standing right next to him. And then I'm like, hi, how are you? So then, you know, he. He had two business cards on him. He gave me one, and he gave Dana one. You know, my married friend, but.

[Kelly Ripa]

Married friend.

[Teresa Giudice]

So that's it. We walk away. He's like, it was great to meet you guys. Whatever. We walk away.

[Kelly Ripa]

Did your other single friend feel bad that she didn't get a business card?

[Teresa Giudice]

I know. I don't know. I mean, she didn't say anything. I guess he gave it to me. Well, I guess he could have gave it to her if he liked her.

[Kelly Ripa]

He wasn't interested.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah, I guess, you know.

[Kelly Ripa]

Did he know who you were? Had he had ever seen.

[Teresa Giudice]

No. He said He. He said he didn't know who I was. He watched. He said he watched House. He watched Atlanta.

[Kelly Ripa]

But he. You had to look familiar to him.

[Teresa Giudice]

I mean, he said he didn't know who I was. That he really did say that. He's like, he didn't know. And then when I walked away, his son. He's a dad. Do you know who that is? And then he. He's like, that. His son. That's Teresa. And. And then that. So then he knew who I was, because then we walked away. We kept walking. I guess he finished packing up his car, and then he drove up to us. He rolled down his window, and he's like, my son wanted to know why didn't ask for your number, Teresa.

[Kelly Ripa]

Oh, my gosh. And then did you give it. Did you give it to him?

[Teresa Giudice]

No. I was embarrassed because he had his son and his girlfriend in the backseat, and I was like. I was, like, embarrassed to just say my number. And so I was like, I have your business card. I'll text you.

[Kelly Ripa]

I'll text you.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. And that was it. And then we, you know, we walked away. And then my married friend, after, like, five minutes after walking, she's like, give me your. You know, she's like, give me your phone. And then she texted him from my phone and sent him my number.

[Kelly Ripa]

Meanwhile, your poor single friend was still out in the cold. No action. But his son must have seen something, like a little spark. A little something.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah, I mean, Louie Little. We call. We call him Little Louie. And the thing is, Yeah, I guess they're so close, him. And they were really, really close. So anyway, so then we. We. We talked that night. It. It was just beautiful. Like, with the first two nights, we talked, like, for hours on the phone. The first night, my girlfriend was over, my girlfriend's like, ask him all these questions. So we. We wrote down questions. What? My friend did not. Not give me some of the question.

[Kelly Ripa]

Like, give me some of the questions.

[Teresa Giudice]

I. I can't even remember. Like, how do you like your eggs? Do you like to go to the movies? Do you like the beach? Like, stuff like that. Like, getting to know someone, you know? And so I'm like, this guy is never gonna call me again because you just peppered him.

[Kelly Ripa]

Peppered him with questions. Questions.

[Teresa Giudice]

Like, so many questions.

[Kelly Ripa]

No, but guys love that. They love to talk about themselves. She did you a solid.

[Teresa Giudice]

Wait. He loved it. The next night, he asked me 50 questions.

[Kelly Ripa]

Oh, wow.

[Teresa Giudice]

I met him on a Friday. And then he said, I would love to come down Monday. Morning. Would you like to go for a walk? And I said. I said yes, you know, and then he came down because I was staying that down the shore. So he drove down the shore, we went for a walk. And when I saw him, he brought me a bottle of water and a candle. Like those, you know.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah, those.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah, yeah.

[Kelly Ripa]

They smell so pretty expensive. Chan. Google that.

[Albert Bianchini]

40 bucks. Like, they're expensive.

[Teresa Giudice]

Expensive.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah, they're expensive.

[Albert Bianchini]

Even like the Mini, the 68. Oh, that's the Nestle. But these are like.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah, yeah, they're expensive. Yeah, they're expensive candles.

[Teresa Giudice]

And that was it. So we went for a walk and of course, we talked more. And this was like during COVID This was four years ago.

[Kelly Ripa]

Did it feel sexy? Because it was during COVID Like, you know, it's. It's funny, I'm not going to name names, but some of my kids got into relationships during COVID and I was like, love in the time of COVID It's like they fell in love and they're still in the same relationships. And I say there was something like, very. I think, you know, I don't know if it's like romantic or trauma bonded, but people were going through a lot during that time.

[Teresa Giudice]

No, you're right. You're right. And I forgot to add one thing which is so important, Kelly. Now, you know, I lost both my parents three weeks before I met Louie. I looked up in the sky because somebody told me, like, if you want something, you should ask your parents. They'll, you know, they'll give it to you. And I was looking for love. I really was. I wanted love. So I looked up in the sky and I talked to my parents, like, ma ba, ba. You know, send me a guy. That's everything you've ever wanted for me and more. Because my mom wanted me to always be with the guy that wore a suit. And, like, that spoke to me really sweet and that treated me like a queen and a gentleman. Exactly. Like, like, because Joe had a different type of language. Like, when Joe would speak my ex, he would curse.

[Kelly Ripa]

Joe's love language was like Neanderthal.

[Teresa Giudice]

Y. I mean, listen, they love Joe. They did, you know, but, like, just like my mom's like, he was in construction. My mom's like, you should have married a guy with that wore a suit. You know, she would say things like that.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah.

[Teresa Giudice]

To me, you know, so anyway. But they. They adored Joe and Joe.

[Kelly Ripa]

Joe is great. And I think there was something endearing, like, up until. Up until I would say, as a viewer of the show up until he wasn't treating you very well. I really, like, I loved him.

[Teresa Giudice]

No, and to Kelly, he always treated me well. He just snapped on tv.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah. That's the thing. I didn't. You know, it's like.

[Teresa Giudice]

Exactly.

[Kelly Ripa]

And that's why watching my sister get snapped on.

[Teresa Giudice]

Oh, yeah. No, you're right. You're right. And, like, trust me. Like, I remember that thing when I. When we were in the wine country, like, when we were in Napa. Well, he was. Wait, he was on the phone and he said he called me. He's like my C u n t wife. Yeah, I know, but I didn't hear him say that until I watched it on the show.

[Kelly Ripa]

So. So wait, so you watch it on the show, you see it? Are you still with him when this is airing? Because I'm trying to.

[Teresa Giudice]

Oh, yeah, we were. Yes. Oh, yeah. We were married. We didn't get divorced, Kelly. Until he got deported.

[Kelly Ripa]

Until he got deported.

[Teresa Giudice]

Right.

[Kelly Ripa]

So tell me what. That's what happens in that moment.

[Teresa Giudice]

All right, you're gonna love this one because it's. It's about your friend. So I make a big deal about it. I'm like, there's no way. Because if you get into a fight with Mark, I'm sure you know the name. If you guys. I don't call each other any names, but, like, you know, there's names that you call each other, you know, names.

[Kelly Ripa]

You don't call each other.

[Teresa Giudice]

Exactly. So that's not a name that we call each, like, it's not a name he calls me. I'm like, absolutely not. I'm like, I made such a big deal. Andy Cohen calls me. He's like, teresa. He really did say that. And I'm like, no. I'm like, andy, I'm telling you, he did not. Like, he doesn't say that word to me.

[Kelly Ripa]

So they were trying to give you a heads up beforehand?

[Teresa Giudice]

I think they told me. They were trying to warn me first.

[Kelly Ripa]

Right, so you weren't shocked watching it at home, like, put the kids away. Something horrible is about to be said.

[Teresa Giudice]

Right. So then when they told me that, Andy's like, I'm telling you. He said it. And then they sent it to me, and I saw it. Oh, my God. I was. Kelly. I was devastated.

[Kelly Ripa]

Devastating.

[Teresa Giudice]

I was, like, so upset. Joe couldn't believe. He's like, he was so upset that. That he made me upset. Like, he stepped on the couch, I think two weeks. I was so mad at him because I'm like, you never speak to me like that. And I'm like, who were you talking to? He's like, I was talking to my worker. And he's like, I had too much to drink. And I don't know why I said that. Like, that's what he said to me. I mean, it was. And like, he's never really. Never used that word before.

[Kelly Ripa]

It's so crazy. We were also. I was so pissed.

[Teresa Giudice]

No, but I mean, he just said. He didn't say it to me. He said, my cunt wife's coming. And then. So I thought he was talking to a girl because, like, why would he say that? You know? And he said he was talking to his worker. And I'm like, well, why? You know, because.

[Kelly Ripa]

Do you believe him? Do you?

[Teresa Giudice]

I mean, hindsight now. Now. Now it. Now I don't.

[Kelly Ripa]

Now you think he was talking to a girl?

[Teresa Giudice]

Yes, now I definitely think he was talking to a girl.

[Kelly Ripa]

But, I mean, what's wrong with her if she's, like, having an affair with a guy that refers to his wife like that?

[Teresa Giudice]

Right? You know, and trust me, if I would have saw that he was cheating on me, if I would have proof, I would have totally left him. Like, I don't like cheating. You know, that's not really my thing.

[Kelly Ripa]

Do you ever look back and wonder, like, if your life would have been better if you never went on the Real Housewives? Like, do you think you'd still be married? Do you think you would have had any of your legal troubles? Do you think any of this stuff would have happened?

[Teresa Giudice]

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[Kelly Ripa]

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[Teresa Giudice]

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[Kelly Ripa]

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[Teresa Giudice]

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[Teresa Giudice]

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[Teresa Giudice]

Have I told him what? That we love each other.

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[Teresa Giudice]

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[Kelly Ripa]

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[Kelly Ripa]

Do you ever look back and wonder, like, if your life would have been better if you never went on the Real Housewives? Like, do you think any of this stuff would have happened?

[Teresa Giudice]

I mean, Joe had a partner, and Joe's partner ratted me out.

[Kelly Ripa]

But you weren't. You weren't reading the contract or anything.

[Teresa Giudice]

No, no, he was, Kelly. He just used my credit. He just used my credit. So. And he's like, I need, you know, can you just co. Sign. You know, sign this property? So I went to the lawyer's office. You know, of course, I never thought in a million years. And I remember my mom saying to me, like, make sure you he pays that mortgage. Like, And I'm like, ma, of course he's going to pay the mortgage. What do you mean? You know, but like, meaning, like, she was saying, like, I hope he doesn't mess up your credit.

[Kelly Ripa]

So she felt like maybe. Did she feel something intuitively?

[Teresa Giudice]

Maybe. I mean, listen, Joe always did really well. I mean, right? That's the thing. Like, I didn't work the first seven years of our marriage, like, and I bought whatever I wanted, when I wanted. You know, when shopping every day, I went to Neiman Marcus, me and Gia, like, as you said, you know, I'm just saying, like, he. I mean, we lived well, you know, and, you know, it's not like.

[Kelly Ripa]

So you weren't concerned. You were.

[Teresa Giudice]

No, not doing well.

[Kelly Ripa]

And there's no need for me to worry.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah, but you took it.

[Kelly Ripa]

You took it to an attorney.

[Teresa Giudice]

Well, we went to a closing. A closing.

[Kelly Ripa]

Closing. Okay.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. When you go to a lawyer's office for the closing, for the house, and that was it. So. But then 10 years later, and then here I go, I get on the real houses in New Jersey. Now, before I did the Housewives, I asked Joe, is everything good? Anything I have to worry about? Because it took me. I don't know if you ever heard the story. It took me. Everyone else signed the contract right away for New Jersey housewives. It took me 11 and a half months to sign my contract because you.

[Kelly Ripa]

Didn'T want to sign it. You just. You were like, I just want to see how this goes first.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. I didn't know, Kelly. I was like, what is this? Like, I didn't understand what it was. I didn't know if it was, like, a scam or a joke. I'm like, they're going to follow us around. I didn't know what it was. Was confused. I was skeptical about doing it. You know, I don't know why. So then, you know, and then I would talk to Jacqueline and Dena. They were, like, so over me. They're like, please. And I would ask them every day, you think I should really do it? I don't know. What is this? And then one day, this is how it happened. One day, Jacqueline said, come on, Teresa, let's just do it. You know? She's like, they're just going to film us what we do every day anyway. Hang out, you know, go shopping, go out to dinner. So I was like, all right. And I. And I asked Joe, and Joe's like, if you want to do it, do it. He's like, I just don't want to. You know, I want no part of it. You could just do it, you know, do it with your friends. So I was like, all right.

[Kelly Ripa]

Only Joe said. Joe said that sentence in half as many words, right?

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. You want to do it more Exactly. Yes. Yes. And then. But I asked him, kelly, anything I have to worry about? Everything's good with you. You're a bit. You know. He's like, yes, he said. I was like, all right.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah, because it's like a magnifying glass, right?

[Teresa Giudice]

Like, I didn't even know that much until I got into it. So I signed the contract. I gave without a lawyer. I gave it to Jacqueline, and we went to the FedEx box together, and she. And she took a picture and she put it in the FedEx box, and that was crazy.

[Kelly Ripa]

No lawyer, no agent, no nothing. Sign away.

[Teresa Giudice]

And that was it. And that's how I did it. First season. Yep.

[Kelly Ripa]

That is so crazy. I remember when you. You, like, literally jumped onto the screen, and I was like, this girl is a star. She's gonna be the star of the show. I could just tell you had, like, a sparkly quality, and you were really funny.

[Teresa Giudice]

Like, everyone said that. I was always so funny. I kind of lost my funniness because I'm always defending myself on all these past Years. But everyone always said how funny I was, you know? All right, so real quick. So then Joe had a partner. So then him and his partner had a falling out. So the government came knocking on our door. And, like, your husband hasn't filed taxes. And I was like, what? And I'm like. I called Joe. I'm like, joe, the government's here. They're like, saying, you didn't file taxes. And I'm like, you need to come home right now. And then he came home, and then he talked to him. And then.

[Kelly Ripa]

But that's scary.

[Teresa Giudice]

And then his partner rat ratted, said that I signed one of the homes, and his partner never did any time.

[Kelly Ripa]

So he gave up you two to avoid jail time. He cooperated.

[Teresa Giudice]

He ratted me out. Meaning, like, he just told the government, Teresa signed a property.

[Kelly Ripa]

And so you. You went to jail first, or did Joe go to jail?

[Teresa Giudice]

I. I went first.

[Kelly Ripa]

You went first?

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. And I swear, Kelly, I didn't think. I never in a million years, I was like, all right, if anything, Joe's gonna go, but never me. Like, I never in a million years thought that I would go away. Not that I was being cocky, but I really. I was like, I didn't do anything. I was like, I just signed one property. And then Joe said, you know, he's like, my wife was not involved in anything. You know, he was like, this is crazy. He's like, they want you more than they want me. He said that, you know, he saw that. That they wanted me because I was on tv.

[Kelly Ripa]

It's interesting, because I. I remember thinking, like, you had these four little girls, and it seems like you're having the book being thrown at you, and you went in and you did your time, and you came out, and you sort of came out like a superhero. Like, you had superhero powers. Like, you seemed really strong and very clear and very determined. And in the course of, like, finding your own power and your own strength, it seemed like it detached you from Joy. Is that an accurate assessment?

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah, that's exactly how I felt. Like, I worked out every day. I did yoga. I read a lot of books, and I just concentrated on myself. And I was like, I never went to college because I felt like I was at a dorm, but with all women that I couldn't leave, and I just embraced it. I was like, all right, there's a reason why, like, this is part of my journey. There's a reason why I have to go through this. I don't understand it right now. I'm sure I'll figure it out, you know, eventually, and, you know, which I did. And then you'll. You know, now I got my happy ending because I knew in my heart I was very confident. I knew I was like, I didn't do anything. I don't know why I have to go through this. There's a reason why, like, I never. I didn't even cry when I got there. I didn't even cry. I was very strong. And, like, my. I didn't. I told my parents I was totally fine. I'm like, this is camp.

[Kelly Ripa]

So you put on a brave face for them.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yes.

[Kelly Ripa]

Spare them any.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. I don't want to get them upset because my parents were devastated because they're like, I was a good kid. I never did anything. And, you know, Italian immigrant parents. My parents were off the boat on First Generation. And, you know, of course I was upset about leaving my daughters. And that, you know, broke my heart. But I told my daughters I went to work. You know, I. You know, and then g. I was, like, kind of the only one that she could tell because she was, you know, she was the oldest one, but, like, mommy has to work, and then, you know, but you're gonna come and visit mommy once a week. So they used to come and see me, but then eventually they knew.

[Kelly Ripa]

Did they face any? Like, did. Were the kids mean to them in school over that? Kids can be real assholes.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yes. Kids said things to them in school, but it just made them stronger. And that's how Gia grew up so fast, because Gia was like mommy to them. She was like their mommy. She looked out for them. She was amazing. And, you know, she really was the best big sister that you know. And, you know, I'm so lucky to have her.

[Kelly Ripa]

And, you know, what I think is great about you is that you didn't, like, you kept your shit together, you know, for your parents sake, for your daughter's sake, for, you know, you were very strong. I don't know how much that left for you to feel, like, on your own. Like, when you're always, like, being the strong one. Sometimes it's hard to, like, actually access your own feelings. But. But part of the reason I think your daughters are so well adjusted and so successful is because you set this blueprint of strength for them, which, you know, I don't think parents really realize how much their kids absorb and watch and take the cues. And, like, if you had fallen apart, they would have fallen apart, but you didn't fall apart, so they didn't fall apart.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. And that's how I always exude that. Cause I'm like, if I'm happy, my kids are happy. If I'm sad, my kids are sad. So that's why I was like. And you know what also got me through is that my kids were with my parents.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah.

[Teresa Giudice]

Like, my parents went to my house.

[Kelly Ripa]

Such a relief.

[Teresa Giudice]

Right? So it's. I knew my kids would be good because, I mean, I used to do everything. Joe never did anything. Joe. You know, Joe used to go to work. Yeah. And then that's when GS, you know, was there, you know, for her sisters. Because, like, Joe. You know what Joe was doing? Because my daughters told me, like, he was. He would cry every day, my kids would say. And then he would drink himself. Like, he would drink a bottle of wine at night.

[Kelly Ripa]

It's not helpful.

[Teresa Giudice]

And Gia would find him, like, drink. Like, he would fall asleep on the table drinking a bottle of wine. Cause he was so upset that I was there.

[Kelly Ripa]

Well, I'm sure he felt extraordinarily guilty. Guilty as he should. I'm sure he never anticipated a. Being found out, getting caught. And he certainly never anticipated you having to pay the price for what he. He did behind your back, you know? And I'm sure that was humiliating and embarrassing and painful for him, as, you know, as much as he could express that.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. No, he was. And the girls saw how much pain he was in. And I know. I know in my heart he didn't mean to hurt me. Like, I know he didn't do it intentionally.

[Kelly Ripa]

You forgive him?

[Teresa Giudice]

Yes. Totally forgave him. So then I went for the same thing eleven and a half months. And then I came home, and then he left three months later.

[Kelly Ripa]

Wow.

[Teresa Giudice]

And then he never came home. And I fought for him to the end. I did fight for him to the end. And, like, he.

[Kelly Ripa]

Is that why G is going into law? Do you think. Do you think that's, like, part the. The real.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah, she. At first, she wanted to go into immigration law because she wanted to help other families, you know, like us, you know, to try to stay in this country. But you know what? It's really hard unless the president changes the law. It's really hard if you commit a crime that you get deported. And the thing was that Joe never became an American citizen, and his parents are American citizens, and he just never did it.

[Kelly Ripa]

He just never did it. That's so crazy. It's really crazy. But it happens all the time.

[Teresa Giudice]

And he was here since he was 1 years old.

[Kelly Ripa]

Right. So he didn't feel like he didn't feel like he needed to file any paperwork because he's been here since he was a baby.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. And he had a green card, and he just was fine with this, so that's why he just never did it. It's basically paperwork. That's all it is. It's paperwork. And when he married me, we could have did it. And I think I tried for. I did try for him once, but Kelly was so complicated. I was like. It was too much paperwork. I couldn't.

[Kelly Ripa]

It was paperwork.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. And I couldn't figure it out. And we should have hired an attorney. We just didn't do that. And it was just, you know, I guess stupid on both of our parts, you know, to not do it, you.

[Kelly Ripa]

Know, I want to talk. I want to talk a little bit about this season.

[Teresa Giudice]

Okay.

[Kelly Ripa]

You know, I've told you this before. I'll always say it. I always have hope that one day you and your brother will forge a relationship ahead because, you know, I think it would make your parents happy. I think fundamentally, eventually it would make you both happier to be in each other's lives. And I don't know anything. I just know what I see on tv. But I know that you love your brother, and I know that he loves you that much. I know. Like, I know that. So when you watch the show, when you go back and watch the show, when the scene cuts and it's Melissa and Joe, do you leave the room? Do you change the channel? Do you. Are you able to watch it?

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah, I'm able to watch it now and not feel anything.

[Kelly Ripa]

Really?

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. When they got on the show, I watched season one, season two. They got on the show, season three. I didn't watch season three until Louis came on. And then that's when I started watching, like, past seasons, and I started seeing what my brother and what his wife was saying about me on national tv, and I was like. I was like, God was with me, because there was a reason why I didn't watch those seasons, because if, Kelly, if I would have watched those seasons, it would have been so ugly between me and my brother, and my parents would have had to have witnessed that. And I'm glad I didn't watch it because, you know, I spared my parents any pain. And my. You know, my parents. Till when they passed away, we were fine, you know, so. And, you know, it was sad. My father never watched the show. My father didn't like the show. Because he.

[Kelly Ripa]

He didn't like the show?

[Teresa Giudice]

No, because he knew, like, Melissa and my brother Came on the show behind my back.

[Kelly Ripa]

Oh, and so you never. You never discussed it? Like you had no idea they were coming on the show?

[Teresa Giudice]

Absolutely not. No.

[Kelly Ripa]

That's wild.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. I never knew. They never told me they were interviewing behind my back. Never told me. And they said that they were told not to. Sorry. You're my family, my friends. Kelly, as soon as they get a phone call from a producer, you know who's the first person they call You. Thank you.

[Kelly Ripa]

So if they had called. If they had called you, what would you have said to them? Like, if they had called you and said, listen, Bravo reached out to us. They want us to join, what would you have said to them?

[Teresa Giudice]

I would have said, all right, good luck. Like. Like I tell everybody else that calls me, I would have been like, okay, good luck. You know? Cause what else am I gonna say? But it wasn't for my family. It was house, you know, it was me, Caroline, Jacqueline, Danielle, and Dina. It was just us.

[Kelly Ripa]

Right.

[Teresa Giudice]

And my first cousin did the same thing. Kathy. Both of them. They both came on the same season.

[Kelly Ripa]

Why do you think Bravo went after your family so much? Or do you think it was your family more making the push to get her on camera?

[Teresa Giudice]

My family made the push. I found out that Danielle Staub was speaking to my sister in law. Do you remember when. When Danielle Staub said. When I pushed Andy. When I pushed Andy, Danielle Stobbs said, I didn't go see my nephew in the hospital.

[Kelly Ripa]

I remember that. I remember that. Yeah.

[Teresa Giudice]

I went to go see my nephew in the hospital. So now I don't know where that came from. No, I know where it came from. It came from Danielle and my sister in law speaking. And I don't know if they planned that because Danielle told me she was speaking to her afterwards, after she quit the show. She's like, I just didn't. I said, why don't you ever come forward and say the truth? She's like, I didn't want to be the one to ruin your family.

[Kelly Ripa]

So let me ask you this. Like, you. Like you and Jackie found your way back to each other?

[Teresa Giudice]

We did. We did.

[Kelly Ripa]

So all things are possible, right? Nothing's impossible.

[Teresa Giudice]

And that's really genuine because, you know, I hurt Jackie, so I hurt her. And I'm taking.

[Kelly Ripa]

So you feel that because you hurt Jackie, you could extend an olive branch and she could accept it or not, which I did.

[Teresa Giudice]

And. And then. But look, it didn't. Even though I said sorry to her, we still weren't friends. Like, you know, it took. It took time. And that's. I didn't know Jackie was going to take it the way she did. I thought Jackie was just going to take it the way I took it. When somebody told me that Joe was cheating, I'm like, all right, prove it. But I didn't know Jackie was gonna. It was gonna hurt her the way it did.

[Kelly Ripa]

I'm always like that, too, though. Like, unless I hear something from the horse's mouth, I don't. Like, I never believe.

[Teresa Giudice]

And that's how I thought Jackie was gonna be. I didn't know. I didn't mean to hurt Jackie. I really didn't, you know, or her family and Evan.

[Kelly Ripa]

So Gary Jannetti and Jen Aiden were on Andy's show, and Gary said something that I was like, oh, yeah, he's right. He was saying that you are like. Did you ever watch Dynasty?

[Teresa Giudice]

Yes. Yeah, I did.

[Kelly Ripa]

So he's like, you and Melissa are like. Alexis and Crystal. Like, the two of you are like. Like, you're the doyenne and she's the other doyenne. And you have to be like. And he's like. And I loved. He's like. I love the fact that they were always at work. War, these two warring families. He's like, I loved it. He goes. But I loved seeing them in scenes together. And, you know, what do you think? Will you never be in scenes together ever again?

[Teresa Giudice]

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[Kelly Ripa]

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[Teresa Giudice]

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[Teresa Giudice]

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[Kelly Ripa]

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[Teresa Giudice]

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[Kelly Ripa]

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[Kelly Ripa]

You and Melissa, like, will we never see the two of you on camera together ever again?

[Teresa Giudice]

Never again. Never again, Leah. Like, first of all, to me, family is so sacred. Like, I'm all about. You're Italian, Kelly. I'm all about the Godfather movie. You never go against the family. I live by that. Like, I stand by that. Like, I'm a loyal person.

[Kelly Ripa]

No, but I feel like if somebody betrays your trust, you can forgive them and you can get past it. But you always know in the back of your head, this is a person that could betray my trust.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah, exactly. I mean, I did forgive him because again, my parents were around and I didn't want to hurt my parents. My parents were so. After the christening, the first scene, my father.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah, that was traumatic.

[Teresa Giudice]

My parents were so upset. They're like, what? Me and my brother were best friends. We always got along. We never fought. Like, we were really best friends until this happened. Until the end.

[Kelly Ripa]

Was it the show? Was it the show? So you were close? So even after you got married to your husband?

[Teresa Giudice]

Well, it was like a little jealousy, like, about that. I was on the show and they were in, and it's like, this is my thing, you know, it's like, it would have been so beautiful for us to be a united front and to show America and to show the world that instead of fighting, like, to me, this is, like, disgraceful. Like, I tell my daughters, I beg my daughters, I'm like, please always get along. That's the only thing I only ask for is, like, I want you for. To always love each other. And if somebody has something more than the other, you know, you guys enjoy.

[Kelly Ripa]

It because they can't celebrate each other's wins. Celebrate.

[Teresa Giudice]

Like, that's the thing. You should all be happy for each other and lift each other up, you know? Like, I don't know. That's. That's how I look at it. Things, you know, think.

[Kelly Ripa]

Do you think that there needs to be, like, a cast shake up like they did on the Real Housewives of New York, like, bring in new people? I mean, I actually think, like, on New Jersey, I'm like, I feel like we are so invested as viewers in the families. Like, we are invested because your show, I think is different than all the other shows. And here's why. There are long running, longstanding decades, long friendships, relationships, family members. It's like deep. It runs deep. The other shows you see people show up and they're like, nice to meet you. And I'm like, oh, these are a cast of friends. These people all introducing themselves to each other. You know what I mean? Whereas, you know, it's like you and Dolores go back how many years? You know, you and your brother go back.

[Teresa Giudice]

You're 21. Since I'm 21.

[Kelly Ripa]

Right, exactly. So it's like you've known each other a long time. So I think that's why. That's my own. My concern is, like, if you shake up a cast where we feel like we are part of the family, it sort of like makes it almost like a non show. That's just my 2 cents from a viewer.

[Teresa Giudice]

Well, I don't agree, but yeah, I mean, I. Listen, there's. I'm.

[Kelly Ripa]

No, but they couldn't do a show without you.

[Teresa Giudice]

I mean, thank you. I would hope not. So bravo. I hope you're listening. I mean, listen. Bravo. You know, I guess they have a decision that, you know, obviously that they're going to be making. I mean, they all saw how happy I was. They really did. And they all tried to sabotage my happiness. And now I'll say to you, now I know why I had to go through. What I had to go through is to find Louis because he's really is. I always thought Louis was my soulmate. And recently I spoke to a psychic and she's like, he's your twin flame. She's like, you have to go through soulmates to find your twin flame. She's like, sometimes people find their twin flame with their first love. But she's like, with you, you went through soulmates to find your twin flame. So, you know, you should do your twin flame, like right away.

[Kelly Ripa]

No, but do you know what you should do? Mark and I did this like years ago. Years and years ago. I think like 20, 26 years ago, maybe longer. We went to a past life regressionist. Have you ever heard of this?

[Teresa Giudice]

No, I would love.

[Kelly Ripa]

We went to this past life regressionist and they take you. It's like there's like a ceremony. It's a little weird. I'm not gonna lie.

[Teresa Giudice]

No, but I've done journeys.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah. So this.

[Teresa Giudice]

I'm all into that.

[Kelly Ripa]

This guy was a doctor and he's like, okay, close your eyes. And immediately Mark and I are like looking at each other like, we're, like, peaking the whole time. And he told us that we've been married to each other in hundreds of past lives. We just keep marrying each other over and over and over again. And so in every next life, we remarry each other. We have different names, we look different, but our souls keep finding each other in the next life.

[Teresa Giudice]

Oh, my God. Wait, you need to give me the phone number.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah, I'll get the number.

[Teresa Giudice]

You know, we should do that next season on the Real Housewives of New Jersey.

[Kelly Ripa]

It's really incredible. It's an incredible thing to do.

[Teresa Giudice]

That's so crazy. Yeah, no, because I really believe. It's so crazy how it's like, I had to wait till 48 years old to really find my true love. Because it's like, it's.

[Kelly Ripa]

Listen, I. Yeah, but wasn't it worth. It was worth the wait?

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. No, Joe was great and everything. Like, I don't know if, you know, Joe and I, our parents were best friends. We grew up together.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah, I did know that.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. My mom never wanted me to be with Joe because he would always get in trouble and. But he was like, listen, he was a good father, good husband, and my parents did adore him because he really was good to me. Only on tv, he was, like, stupid.

[Kelly Ripa]

He was like, yeah, he's not the best version of himself.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. Like, on tv, I'm telling you, he would screw up.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah. But with that, you know, it's like, there are no accidents. I mean, if you two didn't get together, you wouldn't have your four.

[Teresa Giudice]

And you know what? I have to say, if it wasn't, we made four beautiful daughters together. And that was the. Yeah, I had a good. Do that with him.

[Kelly Ripa]

You had to. They wouldn't be here. They would be different people. They would be totally different.

[Teresa Giudice]

And I swear. And I don't regret that. But Louis is. It's a different love. I can't explain it. And he says the same thing with me and even his son, like, oh, my. My daughter say it. Like, when we went. We were in New Year's Eve. We spent New Year's Eve with Joe this past New Year's Eve, and it was Louie's idea.

[Kelly Ripa]

Oh, my gosh. Wild.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. It was Louie's idea. Louie's like, babe, we want to go to. To New Year's. You want to spend New Year's Eve with Joe? He's like, I'm sure it'll make the girls so happy. He's that kind of guy. And I was like, I was like, I really didn't want to. I was like, I don't really want to.

[Kelly Ripa]

And what was Joe. Wait, but what was Joe like? What was Joe like? Was it like.

[Teresa Giudice]

Is that weird? He had his girlfriend there.

[Kelly Ripa]

Okay. Was that weird?

[Teresa Giudice]

No. No, not at all.

[Kelly Ripa]

So you're all fine?

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah, we all hung out. Yeah. And it was totally fine. Yeah, we had a great time. And you know who else came? Jennifer Aiden and her family and her kids.

[Kelly Ripa]

Oh, my gosh. Wow.

[Teresa Giudice]

So. Yeah, so it was just. Just. We had a great time and. Yeah, we had a good time. Yeah. That's great.

[Kelly Ripa]

I'm happy for you. I mean, you deserve a little peace in your life. I hope that you get it.

[Teresa Giudice]

I hope. I. Me too. I hope I want to get it, too, because it's, like, not fair. It's like, tomorrow's going to be four years that I'm with Louie, and, I mean, thank God. It's like, us. We're amazing. But it's like the outside noise. Yeah, it's been a lot. And it's like we've been through a. A lot of, like, you know, heartache with that, like, you know, with the show, with people. My cat.

[Kelly Ripa]

It's always the outside noise with my.

[Teresa Giudice]

Cast members trying to hurt, like, you know, Louis and I, you know, and it's really affected our family. It's hard to come back from that.

[Kelly Ripa]

No, I get it. Listen, we. Everybody at this table has family members. There is. I mean.

[Teresa Giudice]

Come here.

[Kelly Ripa]

Come here, Gingalooney. This one over here. If there was a. This is Albert.

[Teresa Giudice]

How are you?

[Kelly Ripa]

How are you? You gotta invite Theresa to sausage fest.

[Albert Bianchini]

She's gotta come.

[Teresa Giudice]

Oh, I love sausage. I love sausage.

[Kelly Ripa]

Yeah, exactly.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. It's so good.

[Kelly Ripa]

You'll love it. It's a bunch of Italians on Long Island. But Albert has a big. Would we call your family dysfunctional.

[Albert Bianchini]

Yeah, of course.

[Kelly Ripa]

A big Italian dysfunctional family. And it's my version of Peyton plays when I'm not watching you fight with your family. And if. When I'm not fighting with my own family, I'm enjoying watching Albert fight with his family.

[Albert Bianchini]

Every conversation starts with, could you believe this?

[Kelly Ripa]

Could you believe this?

[Teresa Giudice]

No, I know, but at least yours is not played out on, you know, national tv, you know, and it's.

[Kelly Ripa]

That's. I mean, that's the problem.

[Teresa Giudice]

Hurtful, and then people don't understand. And that was the thing. I didn't say a lot while my parents were alive on the show because I didn't want to hurt my parents. My mom watched every episode, and I know she never said anything to me, so I know she suffered inside, but I know my mom watched it all. I didn't watch it because if I would have watched it, you saw how crazy I used to be. I calmed down now. Louie has calmed me down, and I would have flipped out. I really would have flipped out. So. So it was better that I didn't watch it.

[Kelly Ripa]

And do you think having your podcast, Turning the Tables, you know, do you think that that is, like, helpful for you to, like, get your side of the story out? Is it, like a therapy session? Cause I find this a therapy session for us and.

[Teresa Giudice]

Cause my first memoir was called Turning the Tables when I got out of prison. And, like, I was turning the table, so that's, you know, how I came up with my knee.

[Kelly Ripa]

Will you do a rewatch, like, every week, episode by episode, and then get. Put your side of the story out? Because that would be a good idea.

[Teresa Giudice]

I mean, I would love to do that. Yeah, I would love to do that. And. Or I would even want fans to ask me questions. Like, I would even come back on your podcast. You could ask me whatever you want, because I would. I would be diarrhea. I would be diarrhea of the mouth.

[Kelly Ripa]

You know, book it, Jan. Book it now, Jan, before she changes her mind.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. And, Kelly, I'm all about telling the truth. Like, I'm all about. I'm very transparent. I. You know, I'm not calculated. I'm not strategic. I'm real, like, on the show. Like, I just. I just really feel my authentic life.

[Kelly Ripa]

We appreciate you talking to us. I want to tell our listeners, don't forget to check out Teresa's podcast, Turning the Tables. And we are eagerly awaiting the final episode of this season of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, airing on Bravo this Sunday. I'm very nervous. Like, I actually already have anxiety about this episode.

[Albert Bianchini]

Ajita.

[Kelly Ripa]

Ajita. Yeah, Hajira.

[Teresa Giudice]

Yeah. Ajita. Yeah. Listen, I can't wait for you to see it, and I'm gonna answer a lot of questions.

[Kelly Ripa]

All right, thanks. Thanks, Teresa.

[Teresa Giudice]

I could talk to you for hours.

[Kelly Ripa]

Thank you so much for talking to us. Bye.

[Teresa Giudice]

Bye, sweetheart. Bye.

[Kelly Ripa]

Bye, Teresa. Giudice. That's it. That's all you. What more do you want, Albert? What more do you want from us?

[Albert Bianchini]

Wowzas.

[Kelly Ripa]

Wowzas. That's it, everybody. Don't forget to listen and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Five stars only. As you know, that's mandatory. Can't wait to talk off camera. Next week. Bye Bye. Let's Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa is a production of Malojo Productions with help from Goat Rodeo. Our theme song is Follow Me from apm. Music from Malojo. Our team is Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos, Albert Bianchini, Jan Chalet, Devin Schneider, Michael Halpern, Jacob Small, Roz Therian, Seth Gronquist, and Julia Deschool from Goat Rodeo. Our team is Kara Schillin, Megan Nadolski, Max Johnston, Isabel Kirby McGowan, and Rebecca Seidel. Additional sound design by Terence Bernardo. This show is powered by Stitcher. Did you know? Tide has been upgraded to provide an even better clean in cold water. Tide is specifically designed to fight any stain you throw at it, even in cold butter. Yep. Chocolate ice cream?

[Teresa Giudice]

Sure thing.

[Kelly Ripa]

Barbecue sauce.

[Teresa Giudice]

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[Kelly Ripa]

You don't need to use warm water. Additionally, Tide pods let you confidently fight tough stains with new coldzyme technology. Just remember, if it's gotta be clean, it's gotta be Tide.

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