RHONJ’s Teresa Giudice Addresses “Chosen Family” Speech, Keeping Family Drama Off Show & Margaret Being a “S–t Starter”

Teresa Giudice was accused of making a shady dig at Joe Gorga on Tuesday’s episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. But, according to her, she has “no idea” why her “chosen family” speech would be upsetting.

After her sister-in-law, Melissa Gorga, burst into tears over the comment during Teresa’s love bubble housewarming party, Teresa explained what she meant, targeted Margaret Josephs for starting drama, suggested that she won’t be engaging in any family drama with the Gorgas during the series’ upcoming 14th season, and more.

“I have no idea. I didn’t know like, why would it upset [her]?” Teresa wondered on the February 28 episode of Access Hollywood’s Housewives Nightcap. “I was saying everybody there was my chosen family. I was thanking them for coming.”

As Teresa explained, she considered her guests, which included her closest friends, her family.

“The only family member that I had is my brother, and he wasn’t there. And Melissa’s family by like — I didn’t think I said anything bad — through marriage, she’s not my blood,” Teresa noted.

According to Teresa, Margaret seemed to be trying to stir the pot when she asked Melissa, “What’s that about,” in regard to her “chosen family” comment.

“Was Margaret being a sh-t-starter you think there?” Teresa wondered.

She then explained how the phrase came about.

“[My sister-in-law Veronica Ruelas‘ partner] said a speech, and she was like, ‘I wanna thank my family for being here, and everyone else here is my chosen family.’ And I got so taken from that,” Teresa stated.

Although Teresa’s ongoing drama with the Gorgas has been at the forefront of RHONJ for the past several years, she said “No,” when asked if their antics would continue on season 14.

“No. We’re not speaking,” she confirmed. “We haven’t spoken since two days before my wedding. And that’s it. Unfortunately, what they’ve done to me… People don’t know all of it because I’ve kept my mouth shut for the past 10 years, and now I’m done.”

While Teresa is done with the Gorgas, she recently reconciled with Jacqueline Laurita after a years-long feud.

“It was great. I’d been thinking about her a lot, and I know she put something out there defending me, out on social media, and of course, that made me think about her even more, and I was going to Vegas, and I was like, ‘I’m gonna reach out to her,’” Teresa recalled. “We had a five-hour lunch at Cipriani’s.”

But that doesn’t mean Jacqueline will be returning to RHONJ. Instead, after living in Las Vegas for years, she’s headed to Southern California.

“She’s moving to Orange County. She’s done [with Real Houswives],” Teresa revealed.

Then, after revealing her daughters are headed to the Bahamas to visit their dad, Joe Giudice, “for Easter,” Teresa confirmed fans will see a new, calmer version of her on the upcoming episodes of the RHONJ.

“I started therapy. I really was never into therapy because Italians don’t go to therapy. We think we know it all, and I’m not trying to be that way,” she explained. “It’s just the way that I was raised. [I was taught] to be strong, like, no crying. I was not even allowed to cry in front of my dad. He didn’t like that. He always wanted to see me happy, like no crying. And obviously, I’ve been being triggered for all these years, so I wanted to speak to someone.”

After meeting her now-husband Luis Ruelas, who is “very into therapy,” and whose mom is a therapist, Teresa took his advice and gave it a shot.

“He’s like, ‘You should try it babe.’ And then one time me and him when and I’m like, ‘Why are we going to therapy? Everything’s fine!’ But he’s like, ‘I want you to meet my therapist. Let’s just go and talk to him,’” Teresa said. “I guess he wanted me to get a feel of it, how therapy was, and it was great.”

“I wanna speak with my words and not react by getting physical,” she continued. “I saw that last season with Margaret. I have my reason why and I think everybody could see that, but then I come off looking bad. Meanwhile, I’m not the one that threw the first punch. So from now on, I don’t want to react that way. I don’t want my daughters to see that. I’m their role model, so I want to be their shining star just like they’re mine.”

Also, during the interview, Teresa revealed what fans can expect from the remaining episodes of season 13.

“There are lots of highs and, of course, lots of low lows. It’s a really emotional season for me, but I can’t wait for… It’s gonna be in anticipation for the joyest day, like my fantasy wedding, my magical day,” she teased. “It was amazing, so I can’t wait for everyone to see that, and everyone is gonna get to know Luis this season because, you know, last season, you saw what was going on with that, with Margaret putting negative stories out there about him, which was not fair to him and not fair to me either because here I am, I just met this person, and you’re saying things about him.”

The Real Housewives of New Jersey season 13 airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Bravo.