Melissa Gorga is reflecting on her recent apology to Teresa Giudice and why she felt it was important to take accountability as the family moves forward.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey star opened up about apologizing to her sister-in-law after years of family tension, specifically when it came to Teresa feeling hurt over Melissa joining RHONJ years ago.
“I don’t believe in holding things in,” Melissa said to Us Weekly. “I’ll always apologize. I’m a happy person. I always want to move on.”
Melissa explained that she is willing to say sorry for anything that may have hurt someone, even if that was not her intention at the time.
“I’m happy to give an apology for anything that might have hurt someone,” she said. “You know in my mind, I was taking an opportunity that was offered to me and I wasn’t, I had no ill will.”
Melissa was referring to joining RHONJ back in Season 3, a move that became one of the biggest sources of tension between her, Joe Gorga and Teresa. Teresa has long said she felt blindsided by Melissa and Joe joining the show, while Melissa has maintained that she saw it as an opportunity and did not join with bad intentions.
Still, Melissa acknowledged that Teresa did not want her on the show at the time, and the situation caused real hurt within the family.
“You never know how other people are gonna take it,” Melissa said. “And that was just something that she didn’t want me to join at the time. And it was a battle back then. It didn’t pan out very nicely.”
Melissa said her apology was meant to address any pain that may have come from that chapter.
“So I was apologizing for anything that could have caused any hurt,” she explained.
Melissa also made it clear that she believes accountability has gone both ways.
“And she’s definitely apologized too,” Melissa said. “It goes both ways.”
The RHONJ star then hinted that viewers did not see everything that was said between her and Teresa.
“I think there was a lot more of a conversation there that you guys didn’t see, the full conversation,” Melissa shared.
Still, Melissa said she is glad fans saw her apologize because she believes it showed growth.
“I’m happy everyone saw me apologize because I feel like it takes a strong person to admit when they’re wrong and to move forward,” she said. “And I am so happy to do that for our family.”
Melissa added that her main priority is keeping the family together after years of public fighting.
“I love our family and I want us to stay together for a really long time,” she said.
As for whether she expected an apology back from Teresa in that exact moment, Melissa said that was not the point.
“You know what, if you’re looking for an apology back then you probably didn’t mean it,” Melissa said. “So I was happy I got what I needed off my chest of what I wanted to say and however anyone else feels is on them.”
Melissa’s comments come as the Gorga and Giudice family appear to be in a much better place after years of back-and-forth drama on RHONJ. While their relationship has been one of the most complicated in Housewives history, Melissa seems to be making it clear that she wants to move forward without holding on to the past.