Melissa Gorga was joined by a crop of new costars for The Real Housewives of New Jersey season 15.
“The new girls fit right in. It was strange at first because I didn’t know how this was gonna go,” Melissa, 47, exclusively told Us at the Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip 20th Anniversary event on Tuesday, August 4. “I was actually curious myself, [but] they fit right in. It’s, like, they’re part of the family instantly. It was insane.”
Melissa will star on the upcoming season of the Bravo hit, alongside sister-in-law Teresa Giudice, after squashing their family feud, and Dolores Catania, as well as a slew of new faces who have yet to be publicly revealed.
While speaking with Us on Tuesday, Melissa hinted that the new episodes would be funny yet emotional.
“We laugh, we cry,” the cookie entrepreneur teased. “[There is an] amazing cast, amazing group of girls. [I am] super excited for everybody to meet them.”
Melissa has been a mainstay on RHONJ since 2011’s season 3, alongside OG favorite Teresa, 54. (Melissa is married to Teresa’s brother, Joe Gorga.)
“I always go off of how old my youngest son [Joey Jr.] is; that’s how I know how long I’ve been doing this because he was 2 months old and now he’s 16,” Melissa marveled of the enduring popularity of the Housewives franchise. “Tthat’s how I always figure out how long I’ve been around with the house lights, but 20 years is insane. The fact that we’re not saying goodbye … we’re just getting started.”
Out of many years of Bravo memories, Melissa further noted that one of her highlights is showing off her tight-knit family bond.
“I feel like that’s where our show shines the most is just being able to come around and come full-circle,” she said. “Also, just being able to show my life at home with my kids and the type of mother I am and the children that I have is always like my peak and what makes me the happiest.”
Melissa, who claimed that she “never wanted” any family drama, had been at odds with Teresa since 2022. Fortunately, the two sister-in-laws were able to mend fences ahead of filming season 15.
“I feel confident, and I feel trust, which is something that was always hard to feel before,” Melissa told Us of where she stands with Teresa. “So yeah, [we’re] definitely better than ever. Never going back there, like it’s never happened.”
Until Melissa and Teresa’s RHONJ reunion airs, they will both make appearances on the new season of Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip.
“We had such a great time this season. It was insane,” Melissa teased of her cameo on the road trip celebrating 20 years of the Bravo franchise. “This was so fun. I showed up to the Miami taping and also the finale at Dorinda [Medley]’s house. That was insane, fire. I don’t want to give too much away, but [it was] insane.”
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th premieres on Bravo Sunday, August 9, at 9 p.m. ET.
