MelissaandJoe Gorgaknow their run onThe Real Housewives of New Jerseywon’t last forever, but for now they’re trusting their guts and standing their ground.
Asa new season unfurls the latest developmentsin a seeminglynever-ending story of family dramawith Joe’s sisterTeresa Giudice, 50, the “On Display” singer weighs in on whether she and Joe, both 43, have seriously considered stepping away from the Bravo series.
“Yeah, I mean listen, when the time is right,” she told PEOPLE ahead ofRHONJ’s season 13 premiere on Tuesday. “I think we’ll know when the time is right and it’s just not working anymore.”
“For right now, I love Bravo. I love being a part of the show,” she continued. “I feel like we got this right [now]. We got it handled over here, we’re doing okay, but when the time is right, I will walk and I will take it as a wonderful memory.”
“I’ll know when it’s time. I’ll know,” she added. “But I’m not going anywhere as of now. You’re going to have me for a minute.”
Melissa and Joe Gorga.Jason Koerner/Getty
The friction between Teresa and the Gorgas has played out since the couple joinedRHONJ’s third season in 2011.
Speaking to PEOPLE about the situation now, Melissa says she can’t believe Teresa is still dwelling on their casting.
“It’s the tale as old as time…. It’s as old as thesprinkle cookiesat this point, okay?” she says, referencing an infamous argument centered on holiday treats. “This is where I get mind-boggled. It’s like, there’s no new innovations to this. It’s the same story we’ve told.”
Melissa and Joe Gorga (left) and Teresa Giudice and Louie Ruelas (right).Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty; Jeff Kravitz/Getty
“Nothing new came out, nothing new is happening. It’s the same thing we’ve been saying over and over and over, and the fact that she wants to dig in 10 years ago to make a reason in her head to be mad, is what’s more baffling to me,” Melissa continues. “I thought we’re all supposed to be happy here. New life, new marriage. To dig to find something to be mad at, to me, is bonkers and I want nothing to do with it.”
“I’m not changing my story and she’s not changing hers,” she continues. “She can bark about it all day long. I’m so over it…. Her and I have had that conversation a thousand times, and totally lived a normal life since then — we’ve been on vacations together, we’ve held hands, went on girls trips. All of a sudden we’re mad again? I can’t help you anymore.”
BeyondRHONJcasting disputes, the Gorgas and Teresa have also feuded over the legal troubles that Teresa and her ex-husbandJoe Giudicefaced years ago, and more recently, drama centered aroundTeresa’s treatment of the couple.
Things escalated in August when PEOPLE confirmed that the Gorgas wouldn’t be attending Teresa andLuis “Louie” Ruelas’s wedding. (By that point, Teresa had already confirmed that Melissawould not be a bridesmaidin her wedding.)
Two sources said Melissa and Joe backed out of attending two days before the ceremony when false rumors about their marriage surfaced amid filming. Both Teresa and Luis' actions at the time ultimately influenced the Gorgas' decision.
“Teresa betrayed themin a way that’s unforgivable,” one source said. “They’re not going to celebrate Teresa’s new marriage when all she does is try to tear apart theirs.”
Teresa Giudice, Joe Gorga and Melissa Gorga.Paul Zimmerman/Getty
After everything that has transpired, Melissatells PEOPLE that a reconciliation between themis not likely at this point.
“I mean, the door’s shut right now [on a reconciliation]. Just is,” she says. “It’s exhausting, if I’m being honest. I think I say that a lot this season. It’s up and down, and in and out, and high and not high. ‘I’m mad,’ ‘I’m not mad.’ ‘I’m going to stab you.’ Just, how about,get away?”
“That’s the point I’m at,” she says. “I’m comfortable enough in my skin. I am secure enough that I don’t feel guilty anymore. I know I’ve always done the right thing. Not perfect, but I’ve really tried to help and fix it, so I’m washing my hands now. I’m done. I’m done with the toxic.”
She sums up, “We wish everybody well. I wish her family well. I wish her marriage lasts a thousand years. I really do. I want everyone to be happy and find peace. That’s all I want.”
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The Real Housewives of New Jerseyairs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
source: people.com
