Teresa Giudice is without a doubt one of the biggest stars to come from The Real Housewives franchise. Facing a life that's anything but normal and going through a lot of crazy stuff all in front of Bravo TV cameras, she's shared both the highs and major lows of her recent life with the world.
Credit: Bravo
We got the chance to have a quick chat with Teresa ahead of the seventh season of her show, to talk all about the relationships we'll see change, her new book following her time in jail and much more. Read on to find out what she had to say...
Seven seasons in, how would you describe this new season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey?
I think everyone's gonna fall in love with this season. There's two new girls on it, but the other girls from season 6, they're no longer on, the three women that were on.
So the two new women are Dolores and Siggy; I feel like they're an amazing fit for the show. Dolores, her and I go way back, I've known her since I was in my 20s. Siggy comes on being Jacqueline's friend. I didn't know really how I was gonna feel about her, but I love her. She's amazing. She makes me laugh, she said that I make her laugh. It's just the perfect fit.
The start of this season reminds me of Sex and the City. Five women that are there for each other, we're empowering each other. We're all going through different things in our lives and we're there for each other. It's pretty amazing and that's the way life should be. You should have people in your life that lift you up, not bring you down.
Then as the season goes on, different things do happen, and you'll be able to see that play out. You've seen the trailer so, you know what I'm talking about!
In the first episode we see you returning back to your home, how have you found settling back into every day life?
It just happened naturally. When I first got home it felt like a dream, but then the next day it was just back to normal. I felt like I'd never left.
We also see the paparazzi chasing you on your way home and they get super close to your car, is that quite scary?
Yeah, I was in the back seat hiding and I was covered. I had stuff around me so they really couldn't see me. I really didn't see what was going on but watching it on the show play out, that was crazy. I felt like the President! I couldn't believe so many people were following me. My attorney was driving and I was seeing the car going back and forth. You know what? That's dangerous too, the paparazzi following you and you're trying to get away from them. I've done that before. They've followed me before in my town and I try to lose them, and I can't! When I think about it, that's what happened to Princess Diana when she passed away. Who knows what'll happen? I think it's really dangerous when paparazzi follow you. They should really not do that.
Your relationship with Jacqueline looks to go through the ringer again this season - is there still a friendship there?
Now? No, no, no. Not at all. I don't think somebody - a friend - would talk to me like that.
Despite that we do see you and Melissa getting along better than ever from a viewer's perspective! Is it hard dealing with such personal family issues in front of the world?
Yes, it's not something that I chose to do. They decided to come on the show, I'm sure you saw it play out, I wasn't happy with it, I didn't even know about it until after they came on the show. So, I was hurt because they didn't tell me. That's why you see it play out the way it played out on the show. It was terrible, but really the way you see me and Melissa now is the way how our relationship always was before the show. Now it just feels the way it always felt. For me it's nothing new, it's not like it just happened now, this is how it was from the beginning. I accepted her with open arms when she came into our family.
This first episode of season 7 is really raw, is it hard for you to watch back?
Yes, very emotional. It's hard for me to watch it. Of course I'm so happy to be home, but it is hard to watch. Just to hear my daughters cry, it's really emotional for me.
Milania is really a breakout star of the show, will we be seeing more classic Milania moments?
Of course you will! Milania loves the cameras! I hope nobody judges her for that because she loves being in front of the cameras. Sometimes I feel like she does act out, but she's an amazing child with a great heart.
You recently released new book Turning The Tables; how have you found the response for that?
The response was amazing. When it first came out it was on the New York Times Bestselling List. It's been amazing. July 5 I had a bonus chapter that just came out!
Would you consider coming to the UK for a special book signing?
I'd love to come to the UK! My attorney's on the phone, Jim, you need to set that up!
Jim: Alright, let's go!
You're working on getting certified in yoga - where do you want to take that aspect further?
I'm just taking it day by day. Now after everything I just want to take everything slow, very zen. We'll just see how it comes. I'd definitely like to come out with my own yoga line eventually. Who knows? Maybe open up a studio? We'll see. I'm not there yet, I wanna get certified first, but I do have a fashion background, so a yoga line - I'd love to do that.
Finally what's next for you in the coming weeks and months?
Just right now it's summer, I'm enjoying my summer with my daughters. I'm gonna be doing book signings, appearances... Working a little bit. Doing press for the show, all good things!
The Real Housewives of New Jersey returns to the UK on Monday, July 11 on reality TV streaming service hayu.