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Go Inside the Emotional Moment Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga Shared in Ireland
The RHONJ sisters-in-law shared tears and a hug during the April 25 episode — so are they on better terms?
Tensions have never been, well, tenser between Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga, and their emotions have also run high during The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 13 cast trip to Ireland. But on the Season 13, Episode 12 episode of RHONJ (which aired on April 25), there were a few moments when the seas briefly parted and the two women shared a sweet — wait for it — hug, among other good times.
But even before they embraced, they seemed at ease with each other while sharing family memories earlier in the episode when the family of Dolores Catania’s boyfriend, Paul “Paulie” Connell, came to visit the ladies (including his superstar mom, clip above). In fact, Teresa even paid Melissa a compliment about how “great” she always was with her late parents, Giacinto and Antonia Gorga.
“I know I’m hungover, but I may still actually be drunk,” Melissa said in an interview about the moment. “I don’t even know what’s happening. I can’t even remember the last time Teresa gave me a compliment, like anything positive at all.”
Later, at Teresa’s (quite literal) hen party (aka bachelorette party), the good vibes continued as the group participated in a number of activities, including when Teresa picked Melissa to join her for a little game of catch the cock (we mean, chicken), in which they throw a chicken for good luck.
Later on, they gathered in a room to “take a trip down memory lane” and paint their “happy” and “funny” memories of Teresa. The party brought out Teresa’s emotions as she reflected on some of the harder moments in her life, including when she went to prison, but luckily a puppy was there to cheer her up as her friends were inside painting a mural in her honor.
When the time came to unveil the mural, Melissa explained her contribution: “I started with Sala Consilina [in Italy] because that was where your parents are from,” she explained with tears. “And I’m showing your family coming from Italy.”
In an interview in the episode, Melissa shared, “It’s just sad to me that this was a family, and to draw them from the beginning struck me, like, Wow… look where we are right now,” likely referencing her and Joe Gorga’s ongoing issues and rift with Teresa.
Back at the party, while trying to hold back tears, Teresa got up and hugged Melissa. “This is your family. I love them so much,” Melissa told her sister-in-law during their hug.
In an interview, Teresa cried as she reflected on the moment and that drawing of her family. “It’s like the way we started. We were so happy. We were a happy, beautiful family, and they always instilled in us ‘love each other,’” Teresa explained.
Teresa later shared how “grateful” she was for the sweet gesture from not only Melissa but all the ladies who paid tribute to her. “I do have a beautiful life story with a happy ending,” she added.
However, whatever peace was found between the women didn’t last long, as some issues began to bubble up again for Teresa and Melissa.
Teresa and Melissa each reflected on the emotional hen party in the The Real Housewives of New Jersey After Show. In one clip, below, Melissa shares her take on that hug with Teresa after their many ups and downs this season.
And in case you were wondering why Teresa asked Melissa to be her "Catch the Cock" partner, well she reveals all, below.
Watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey on Bravo Tuesdays at 9/8c and the next day on Peacock. Catch up on the Bravo app.
