Joe Gorga Thinks Melissa Gorga Invented Reality TV… New Housewives Should ‘Bow Down’ to Her Greatness!
Joe Gorga Thinks Melissa Gorga Invented Reality TV… New Housewives Should ‘Bow Down’ to Her Greatness!
Joe Gorga is making waves with his latest claim that Melissa Gorga didn’t just star on The Real Housewives of New Jersey — she practically invented the blueprint for reality TV, and he thinks the new cast members should “bow down” in gratitude.
Joe Gorga Praises Melissa’s Impact on Bravo
Joe Gorga is making it clear that Melissa Gorga has earned her place as one of Bravo’s most iconic figures. The Real Housewives of New Jersey house-husband took to Melissa’s On Display podcast to respond to claims made by Real Housewives of Miami personality Kiki Barth, who accused Melissa of buying her 2.9 million Instagram followers. While Joe didn’t directly address the accusation, he didn’t hold back in calling for new Bravo stars to show more appreciation for Melissa and the path she’s paved for the franchise.
“They should really, these Housewives should really appreciate the path that you created for them,” Joe said during the podcast. “I mean, you look at what you have done on Instagram and social media. It’s helping them. It’s helping everybody. I mean, really, you’re self-made. You did this all on your own.”
Melissa Addresses Her Instagram Success
Melissa, who has been a staple of Real Housewives of New Jersey for over a decade, seemed unbothered by Kiki’s shady remarks. She pointed to her various business ventures as a reason for her high follower count. Melissa has used her platform to promote her fashion boutique, Envy, and other entrepreneurial pursuits, which she believes could explain her social media popularity.
“I work hard, and I’ve got a lot going on,” Melissa shared. “Between Envy and all the other projects I’ve been working on, my following has grown organically over the years.”
Joe Defends Melissa’s Accomplishments
Joe, however, was less focused on explaining Melissa’s follower count and more intent on highlighting her contributions to the Real Housewives brand and social media.
“You achieved everything on your own, and you killed it,” Joe said passionately. “So, you know, just like the show, you are who you are on social media, and that’s why people love you.”
According to Joe, Melissa’s success on Instagram is a testament to her influence not only on RHONJ but also on the broader Real Housewives franchise. He argued that newer Bravo stars should take notes from veterans like Melissa, who he believes has set a standard for what it means to be a successful Housewife.
“They need to recognize that Melissa didn’t just create opportunities for herself — she opened doors for others,” Joe added.
Press play below to listen.
Melissa’s Legacy Amid RHONJ Hiatus
Joe’s comments come at a time when Real Housewives of New Jersey is on hiatus. Despite the show’s break, Melissa maintains her visibility in the Bravo universe.
While Kiki Barth, who is not an official Housewife, made her claims about Melissa’s Instagram followers, Joe’s defense suggests that the Gorgas view the accusations as baseless. “At the end of the day, people follow Melissa because they love her,” Joe insisted.
RHONJ Hiatus and Potential Reboot
The future of The Real Housewives of New Jersey is uncertain, with Bravo placing the show on hiatus amid declining viewership and fractured cast dynamics, particularly between Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga. Reports suggest filming for Season 15 may not begin until late 2025 as producers sort out significant cast changes or a full reboot to address tensions that have overshadowed recent seasons.
Longtime cast members like Dolores Catania have stated they are in the dark about who will return, while Andy Cohen has hinted at introducing fresh faces to revitalize the series. Cast members such as Melissa Gorga and Jennifer Aydin have expressed readiness to adapt to whatever changes come next.
Bravo’s strategy, mirroring approaches used in other Real Housewives franchises, focuses on maintaining audience engagement by rethinking cast and narrative choices rather than relying solely on ratings.
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Olivia Davis is a Staff Writer at All About The Tea. Olivia’s hobbies include binging Netflix series, and watching Housewives on Bravo. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in History.