Melissa Gorga Says Jackie Goldschneider's Friendship with Teresa Giudice 'Came Out of Nowhere' (Exclusive) (2024)

Melissa Gorga is setting the record straight when it comes to where she stands with Jackie Goldschneider.

On the latest episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Jackie, who serves in a Friend capacity this season, stood by Teresa Giudice when Melissa brought up past rumors her sister-in-law spread about infidelity in Jackie’s marriage.

Now, in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Melissa, 45, says she was "shocked" by Jackie's reaction and confirms the two's friendship is currently nonexistent.

“I think the fans are going to see it was very obvious with what Jackie was trying to do here, and it doesn't come off real or for the right reasons,” Melissa says. “So it's sad because I was her biggest advocate. I loved her. I said from day one, ‘She's a strong girl.’ She was next to me all the time.”

“I don't hate Jackie,” Melissa adds. “I'm just shocked by her, and I would say disappointed and I can't believe she chose that route.”

During the June 2 episode of RHONJ, tensions rose between the women at a Boozy Brunch hosted by Danielle Cabral. As Teresa fended off accusations from Danielle, who claimed Teresa and Jennifer Aydin "set her up" for drama with the other Housewives, Jackie, 47, eventually came to her defense at the table.

In response, Melissa calmly reminded Jackie, "She picked on your marriage and it hurt you. I'll never let you deny that."

Jackie was not interested in Melissa's commentary and told her costar, "Don’t do that because it's very apparent what you are doing, so stop it." She later told Melissa to stop reminding her about her past with Teresa, asking: “Why are you trying to convince me right now that I still need to be mad about it?”

As all the rest of the RHONJ women at the table began to talk over each other, Jackie tried to shut down the conversation by telling them she is “letting go” and has “moved on” from her issues with Teresa. “I’m not going to let anybody tell me how to feel,” Jackie said.

Teresa eventually left the party and things calmed, but Melissa tells PEOPLE that wasn't the only moment she noticed a shift in Jackie's behavior.

At the beginning of season 14, Jackie was releasing her book but did not send a copy to Margaret Josephs, who later claimed she helped Jackie get the deal and was offended she got no credit. Melissa believes the exchange led to tension between her and Jackie.

“We had a great relationship and I guess because she had this thing with Margaret, she tried to take it out on me too and say certain things to me that I was like, ‘Where is this coming from?’” Melissa explains. “And you'll see that as the season goes on because it’s weird, if anything.”

The latest episode of RHONJ comes after PEOPLE exclusively broke the news that the reality series wouldnot be having a traditional reunionfor the first time in its history.

On Saturday, June 1, a source told PEOPLE the network had decided against a final tell-all with the cast this season, explaining: "A reunion is meant to have resolution and it's clear in the season final that there is no path forward in that type of setting. So the network is figuring out a different concept to wrap up the season."

It's been a fractured season forRHONJthat saw longstanding rifts only continue to drive Melissa, Teresa, Margaret, Jennifer, Dolores Catania,Rachel Fuda, andJenn Fesslerfurther apart. At the center of the conflict is the feud between sisters-in-law Teresa and Melissa. All season long, the two reportedly did not interact until the explosive finale that was teased in the premiere episode.

Despite the canceled reunion,Real Housewivesexecutive producer Andy Cohenrecently said that the season 14 finale will be an instant "classic" that "people will be talking about for a long time to come."

"It's in the great tradition of absolute shocking, dramaticJerseyfinales and they have this final epic group encounter, which is like, it feels like The Last Supper and is just soJersey," Cohen teased on SiriusXM’sReality Checked with Kiki Monique on June 3. "And it's shocking and it's dramatic and it's amazing TV."

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The Real Housewives of New Jersey airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.