Fans of Next Gen NYC have been introduced to a new side of Gia Giudice, and now that the season has aired, she’s opening up about how she feels about the way she came across, and the feedback that’s followed.
Speaking on her Casual Chaos podcast, Gia acknowledged that her emotions were more visible than she anticipated. “I know my facial expressions say a lot. But wow, watching this season back, I had no idea how clearly you could tell what I was thinking without me saying a single word.”
She added that the version of herself viewers saw on the show didn’t fully capture how she operates day to day. “This season didn’t really reflect who I am at work, how I interact with people close to me, or the way I usually treat my friends.”
One of the more talked-about moments involved a tense dinner in Atlantic City, where tensions flared between Gia and Riley Burruss. Gia addressed the situation directly and shared that her intentions were never to put anyone down. “I was never trying to make Riley feel like her voice didn’t matter or like she couldn’t speak up,” she said. “The truth is, what she was saying was completely valid.”
According to Gia, her reaction came from a place of protection, not malice. “I hate seeing my friends upset. I don’t like watching them get hurt. I tend to get really protective,” she explained. “In that moment at the Atlantic City dinner, I genuinely thought Riley might come across as rude, and I didn’t want her to be portrayed that way on camera. I thought I was looking out for her.”
Looking back, though, Gia realizes she may have mishandled things. “I have to accept that some situations aren’t mine to control. Sometimes, I just need to let things unfold naturally. And honestly, Riley, you were absolutely right, there was no reason for me to step in.”
She even recalled a bit of advice from fellow cast member Ariana. “Like Ariana said, ‘Gia, sometimes you just need to shut the f*ck up.’ And she’s right. I do need to learn when to back off.”
Gia didn’t shy away from taking ownership of her actions either. “I was definitely too harsh toward Riley and Georgia at that dinner,” she confessed. “Telling them to shut the f*ck up, that was out of line, and I recognize that now.”
As the season’s dust settles, it’s clear Gia is using the experience as an opportunity for growth, both personally and professionally.
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