Melissa Gorga is getting real about how a surprising reality TV experiment brought fresh energy to her marriage with Joe Gorga.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey star, 46, opened up to Us Weekly about filming Bravo’s new spin on Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition, which premieres Tuesday, October 28. Although Melissa’s no stranger to life in front of cameras, she admitted the concept initially made her uneasy.
“There was a lot of hesitation,” Melissa confessed. “I was just like, ‘What, you want me to move in and sleep in another person’s house? And there’s another man and their children and, like, whatever animals they have?’ … I was like, ‘Absolutely not.’ I instantly said no.”
But after giving it more thought, Melissa decided to take the plunge.
“Then I thought about it, and I was like, ‘It’s kind of like one of those once in a lifetime experiences.’ … You have to do it. You have to say you did this, you know? And it was amazing. It was so emotional. I’m so happy I did it. It was really an incredible experience.”
While Melissa was initially reluctant, Joe was “more accepting” of the idea — perhaps because he got to stay home.
“In my defense, I have to leave my house and go sleep in a strange house … I couldn’t prepare for this. I couldn’t pack for this. I couldn’t do anything,” she said. “So of course, he was down for it, because he’s at home with his own kids. … It’s a lot easier for the guys than it is for the girls.”
Their three children — Antonia, 20, Gino, 18, and Joey, 15 — were just as skeptical at first.
“They were just like me,” Melissa teased. “They were like, ‘What? Absolutely not.’ … [But] they thought it was fantastic.”
Bravo’s The Real Housewives Edition of Wife Swap pairs women from the Housewives franchise with everyday families. The first season includes RHOSLC’s Angie Katsanevas, RHOC’s Emily Simpson, and RHOP’s Wendy Osefo — though Wendy’s episode was postponed after her and husband Eddie’s recent arrests.
Melissa traded lives with fellow mom Michelle Clark, who, as she put it, “fits in perfectly with Joe and my kids.” The two families even formed a lasting friendship after filming.
“They’re going to come over. We’re going to cook for them,” Melissa revealed. “We’re definitely going to meet up with them and see them soon, so I’m excited.”
Beyond the fun and chaos, the experience brought a new appreciation for the Gorgas’ family dynamic. Melissa said she noticed a surprising shift in Joe after filming.
“I’m happy to report that he does now do the dishes at night, which is, I told him, it’s hot,” Melissa said with a laugh. “I’m like, ‘I am turned on by this. This is amazing. This is so manly,’ like, it really is. He’d be shocked to think that, like, a guy doing the dishes is such a manly thing, but I love it.”
The show also taught Melissa to slow down and communicate more intentionally.
“Joe and I, we move quick. Our family moves quick. So I feel like it taught me to, like, sit down [and] every situation can be [handled] as a conversation, right?” she reflected.
For the Gorgas, Wife Swap turned out to be more than just another reality TV adventure — it was a reminder of how love can evolve, even after 20 years of marriage.