Kim DePaola, better known to Real Housewives of New Jersey fans as Kim D, is opening up about where she stands today with Melissa Gorga after years of tension, and why she believes their reconciliation is genuine.
Speaking to Radar Online, DePaola explained that the turning point came after a friend questioned her public criticism of Melissa.
“When she had her podcast she was bashing Posche [my boutique] a little bit. So I knew I went a little bit harder when I had my podcast. I never bash people’s businesses, so I took that to heart. When someone comes at me, I’m an animal. So I went at her hard,” DePaola detailed.
Following that conversation, DePaola said she began reflecting on her behavior and made a conscious decision to stop speaking negatively about Melissa. During that time, she noticed an item she liked at Melissa’s Envy Boutique and chose to support the business directly.
Once December arrived, DePaola attended an event at Envy, where she said the atmosphere felt unexpectedly positive.
“It was sincerely lovely,” she shared. “Margaret Josephs was there, and we were having a good time. We have been friends for a while, but kept that under wraps as we didn’t want to get any flak for it.”
According to DePaola, the moment gained even more attention after she, Melissa, and Margaret were asked to take photos together — followed by a viral moment involving Joe Gorga.
“They then asked us to take pictures together — me, Melissa, Margaret. Then Joe said to Margaret he wanted to pick me up. My friend Lorraine took the video and I put it up and it got over 500K views already. A large percentage of the video viewers are happy. It was a sincere make-up.”
DePaola also shared that a major personal loss shifted her perspective, describing what she called a “come to Jesus moment” after her mother passed away.
“She’s directing me in the right place,” DePaola noted. “Melissa reminded me one time Melissa and my mom were in a doctor’s office and had a nice talk. My mom always liked Melissa. I told them they both have their mothers and to cherish them. I dropped a lot of money and fans can see the Melissa Gorga Envy by MG haul on my Patreon.”
She emphasized that her current relationship with Melissa is genuine.
“That’s really where we stand. It’s a sincere makeup. We’re good,” she said.
DePaola went on to reveal that Melissa reached out privately following the event.
“Eight days later, I got a really nice text from Melissa thanking me for the support,” she shared. “She said she was happy I came in. We went back and forth for a bit. We agreed we always secretly liked each other and didn’t know why things went awry. She did apologize for coming at Posche, and we really, truly, sincerely made up.”
She added that she also expressed pride in Melissa’s business growth.
“I then told her I was very proud of her about her cookies and her items being taken up by Shop Rite. She was very appreciative and I told her I’d come to an event she was hosting in December and bring some of my friends.”
Ahead of that event, DePaola said she watched Joe and Melissa Gorga’s appearance on Wife Swap: Real Housewives Edition, which left a strong impression on her.
“I was so proud of him. I put him on my podcast and said he got my round of applause for his behavior. He shared it and thanked me. So now. Joe Gorga’s in the mix,” she said.
An insider close to the situation also weighed in, telling Radar Online that DePaola has experienced a noticeable shift.
“There’s a big difference in her since her mother passed away. She’s turned a corner and is very much at peace and has a successful podcast and a hit book.
“She will still gossip and tell it how it is and give her opinions, but she’s truly good with the Gorgas. They have raised beautiful children. She really likes them.”
