Written by: Katie Scott
The Real Housewives of New Jersey fan favourite Teresa Giudice has had it rough in the past few years as we’ve seen on the show. Serving a prison sentence of her own for 11 months for mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud, then having to endure her husband’s prison sentence for over four years — it’s any wonder how this mother of four keeps it all together. This season, we’re watching Teresa battle with Joe’s difficult decision stop the legal battles and be deported to his native Italy, essentially tearing their family apart. As far-fetched as this drama seems, we’ve seen a very human and relatable side to the Giudices with heartwrenching moments within a family who loves each other dearly and wants nothing more than to stay together. Global News’ Katie Scott caught up with the Real Housewives star to get her take on what’s happening in Season 10.
How do you feel now that Season 10 is airing and the whole world is watching after you’ve already lived it?
Teresa Giudice: I think everyone’s gonna really, really like this season and I know they think they know me but they’re going to get to know me even better this season. I feel like the fans are going to be like, ‘Oh my God, I absolutely love, love, love, love Teresa.’
We already do! You’re the queen of The Real Housewives of New Jersey.
Thank you! I feel like in the beginning, I always got, ‘Are you that mean?’ People thought I was being really mean all the time but I’m so not mean. I’m the easiest person to get along with. I’m very true blue, very loyal, just don’t f–k me over. I’m a very loyal person but if you screw me over I’ll never trust you again.
Keep watching… I wish her well and everything. But you need to watch the season. I’m all about loyalty at the end of the day.
How hard is it to deal with Joe’s situation, because you’ve been living it for a while but now the world is watching? You can’t deal with it privately anymore because all you fans just want to know what happens next.
I mean, it’s my life. I’ve put it out there and I’m fine with that. I always think that I don’t know why this came to me, because I really didn’t go looking for it. It came to me and then it came to me for 11 months. I didn’t say yes right away, it took me 11 months to sign the contract from the beginning. This is part of my journey and I think maybe it’s all happening to me so that I can help other people get through tough situations, because I know I make it look easy but I went through a lot.
You’ve been through so much and we’ve all been following your story for 10 seasons. You’re an inspiration.
Yeah, I’ve been through a lot so I’m here to help. A lot of people tell me I’m an inspiration, so I’m happy that I do help other people get through difficult situations.
Do you think your family would ever move somewhere different than the United States so your daughters can grow up with their father? Toronto’s Little Italy is very nice.
If I’m going anywhere or move anywhere else besides New Jersey, it’s going to be somewhere warm. Nowhere with the snow, so the next place I’d move, it has to be warm all year (laughing).
How do you remain so strong and positive for your daughters?
I do it because I have to for my daughters. Everything I do is for them. I live, breathe and sleep for my daughters… actually I don’t even sleep that much. I live, breathe and work for my daughters.
What have you learned about yourself after going through all of this?
Throughout the past five years, it’s been really hard. I just have to keep going forward. I have four beautiful daughters that look up to me and they’re like, “That’s my mom.” If I fall apart, then they’re going to fall apart. I can’t do that.
Do you ever get overwhelmed when people ask you about your future with Joe?
No, no, no. Listen, I’ve been through so much that anybody could ask me anything. Nothing fazes me anymore.
The last time you and I spoke, it was ahead of Season 8. We were talking about you learning to swim. How do you feel about the water now?
I go in the water but I just don’t want to be thrown in the water. I go in the water at my own pace but I just don’t want to be tossed into a pool. That’s just not my thing. If I’m thrown into deep water, I panic. That’s my problem.
What would you say are your favourite two moments from Season One to Season 10 involving you?
The birth of Audriana and then doing my cookbooks. I’m a four-time New York Times best-selling author and I wrote two memoirs. I wrote six books so those are the two things that I’m most proud of.
How do you feel about fans still loving the table flip moment with Danielle from Season One?
Hey, I embraced it. At first I was like, “Oh my God. I can’t believe I did that.” But now I just embrace everything. That’s me. I guess if I get pissed off, I’ll throw s–t. It’s better me throwing stuff than throwing the person, right?
How is the dynamic with the cast after filming this season? Is there anyone that you hangout with regularly?
You have to finish watching the season! But I hang out with Dolores [Catania] and Jennifer [Aydin]. We all have busy lives. We’re together for five months straight for filming and we see each other a lot but then it’s so crazy after we film. We have other friends and we want to be with our families so that’s how it is. It’s not like we don’t hang out anymore but we do other things, we vacation and stuff like that. So if you don’t see us hanging out afterwards it’s because we’re doing other things.
Watch Teresa Giudice on The Real Housewives of New Jersey Wednesdays at 9PM or catch up on Slice.ca.
