Bravo has confirmed that Season 7 of The Real Housewives of New Jersey will star Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga, and Jacqueline Laurita. On Monday, BravoTV.com’s the Daily Dish confirmed that the new season will air later this year. In statements to the website, Teresa, Melissa, and Jacqueline talked about how excited they are for viewers to see them again.
The new season will follow Teresa as she reunites with her family and tries to mend relationships, in particular her relationships with her brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Melissa, and former friend Teresa, following her release from prison in December, 2015. It will also show her preparing her husband, Joe Giudice, and her family for his prison sentence.
“I am very excited to be back. For me, this season is all about letting go of the past and embracing the future. People are calling me Teresa 2.0.”
Teresa tweeted her excitement over the new season.
You guys excited for me, @melissagorga @JacLaurita @Bravotv #RHONJ Season 7? I am!!
— Teresa Giudice (@Teresa_Giudice) February 8, 2016
Teresa began her prison sentence for fraud in early January, 2015, and was released a few days prior to Christmas. Teresa’s lawyer confirmed last Friday that Teresa is no longer under house arrest . In a statement to Entertainment Tonight , Teresa’s lawyer, James Leonard Jr., said that Teresa no longer needs to wear a monitoring device.
“We are obviously very happy that today marks the end of Teresa’s custodial sentence and that she is now able to fully enjoy her freedom without the burden of a monitoring device tracking or restricting her. She is looking forward to putting the last 13 months behind her.”
Teresa shared her happiness at fully being free again with a short tweet. She tweeted that she’s feeling “ so blessed .”
Feeling so blessed today ???? xo
— Teresa Giudice (@Teresa_Giudice) February 5, 2016
Teresa’s husband is set to begin serving his 41-month prison sentence in March. He also faces the possibility of deportation to Italy when he’s out since he’s not a U.S. citizen.
Joe was shown dealing with Teresa’s imprisonment and taking care of their four daughters alone on the three-part special The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Teresa Checks In , which aired in October 2015. Joe, who had to do everything that Teresa used to do, such as preparing family meals, home upkeep, and taking care of the girls, made clear that he has a better appreciation for how much Teresa did for the family. He also commented in one episode about his own upcoming prison sentence .
“I ain’t even really thinking about myself going to jail. When the time comes, you just go.”
The special showed Joe and Melissa Gorga spending time with Joe Giudice and helping him out with the girls. Melissa took her nieces out for some pampering, and talked to them about how they were dealing with their mother’s imprisonment. Melissa and Teresa Giudice had a strained relationship for years, but came to a truce prior to the sixth season.
Yet, the Teresa Checks In special showed some possible residual tension when Melissa asked her husband why she wasn’t approved to visit Teresa in prison yet. In his interview, Joe guessed that Teresa had something to do with that. Melissa was also shown expressing hope that things between her and Teresa will get better.
Teresa and Melissa’s Instagram posts seem to show that things are indeed better between the two. They celebrated New Year’s Eve together.
Teresa also attended Melissa’s grand opening of her clothing boutique, Envy.
Melissa’s new business venture will be shown on the new season. She told the Daily Dish that fashion will be a part of her season.
“We’re back! This season for me is all about family, fun, friendships and fashion. I can’t wait for you to see what we’ve been up to and how much our kids have grown.”
Season 7 will also feature the return of Jacqueline Laurita, who appeared only in a few episodes of Season 6 in a limited capacity. Jacqueline said that taking a bit of a break is helping her “bring [her] best.”
“I’m baaaaack! I can’t get enough of my Bravo family! Sometimes a little break is all I need to jump back in and bring my best! Looking forward to new beginnings. XOXO.”
#RHONJ is back and so is @JacLaurita ! Get all the details: https://t.co/3t6rArUs8F pic.twitter.com/E9fjESM7EQ
— Bravo (@BravoTV) February 8, 2016
Will viewers see Teresa and Jacqueline make up? Teresa and Jacqueline used to be very close friends but by the sixth season, things between them were so strained that upon hearing about Teresa’s imprisonment, Jacqueline didn’t know whether Teresa would want to hear from her. The Daily Dish wrote that in the new season, “Jacqueline is hoping to fix the once-tight relationship she had with Teresa” while also concentrating on her duties as a mom of three.
Besides Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga and Jacqueline Laurita, who else will viewers see on The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 7? As previously reported by the Inquisitr , Kathy Wakile, Rosie Pierri, Dolores Catania, Robyn Levy (and her wife, Christina Flores), and Siggy Flicker will be shown on the new season in lesser roles .
[Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images]