Teresa Giudice andJoe Giudice are scheduled to go before a judge on July 8th for their sentencing hearing after pleading guilty to a whopping 41 counts of federal fraud.
The couple is still hoping Teresa will be able to avoid jail time and in the meantime are putting on a happy front. With Real Housewives of New Jersey starting days after Teresa's sentence is handed down, one of Bravo's most recognizable stars has been suspiciously absent from any network events – even skipping the Upfronts. (Somewhere Melissa Gorga is doing a happy dance that she is finally number 1! Let's hope Poison didn't take any business tips from his brother-in-law. RHONJ season 9 – Can I borrow your leopard print prison jumpsuit when you're done with it?)
Kathy spoke out to E! News and confirmed she will be back in some capacity, but has largely departed from the show. "I'm so happy to be part of the Bravo family. I have enjoyed being a RHONJ Housewife and have now agreed to terms that give me the opportunity to film the show in a way which better suits my lifestyle," Kathy explains.
By the end of last season, I was ready to be done and over with watching this show – all that dark and angry family drama just went on for too too long and with very little light and humor mixed in. That said, I am hoping that this season will be a little better. I know it's going to be serious with Teresa and Joe'sfraud case front and center and of course the typical friendship drama, but I'm still crossing my fingers for some humor and lighthearted moments this time. And these newbies will hopefully breathe some new life in!
Updated: Caroline Manzo also confirmed that she is officially not returning to the show. "Thanks 4 all the love today, I decided 2 leave #RHONJ but I'll be back this fall on @bravotv with Manzo'd With Children! Love you guys!"
Oh goodness – the ladies who are giving The Garden State a bad name are back! Real Housewives of New Jersey will return to Bravo on July 13 and it's out with the old and in with the new!
And there are also three new ladies: Amber Marchese, Teresa Aprea (another Teresa!) and Nicole Mauriello, who are twins!
This season there will of course be tons of focus on Teresa and Joe Giudice's impending indictment for fraud as the couple pretends to be attempts to prove they are innocent. Dina returns to be a shoulder for Teresa to cry on, but also struggles with her own divorce from husband Tommy.
Melissa and Poison will attempt to embark upon yet another career to stave off their own bankruptcy in the sanitation business as Melissa continues to pursue her passion for auto-tune singing. Also, Melissa's friend from the past, and new Housewife Amber, joins the cast to spread more Melissa rumors. Cause we haven't had this storyline for the past three seasons. YAWN!
New Housewives Nicole andTeresa are twins with an over-the-top Jersey style. And that includes their tempers! Bravo describes the season as shocking and says, "The six wives begin to form a strong bond, but when shocking rumors of infidelity and backstabbing surface, it threatens to tear their friendships to pieces."
Let's be honest, this could be the last Mother's Day thatTeresa Giudice spends with her daughters for a few years if she winds up serving any prison time in her federal fraud case. Teresa took extra care to make some memories with her girls and other members of her family over the weekend.
Teresa started off her weekend on the soccer field with her daughter Gabriella, who was trying out for the team. The Real Housewives of New Jersey star then hung out in the yard planting flowers with Audriana and Gabriella. On Saturday night Joe and Teresa hit the town – going out on a dinner date together. On Sunday they hung with their family. Teresa shared that they spent the day at Pete (Joe's doppelganger) and Sheila Giudice's home, enjoying the sun and homemade brick oven pizzas. Teresa also spent time with her parents, Giacinto and Antonia Gorga.
Teresa shared a slew of photos from the family-filled weekend – see them below!
Former Real Housewives of New Jersey star Danielle Staub spent her Saturday night celebrating her daughter Jillian. On the eve of Mother's Day, Danielle threw a sweet 16 party for her daughter and partied the night away with family and friends.
Danielle put on a "Diamonds In The Dark" themed Sweet 16 Party at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in West Orange, New Jersey for her girl. The proud mom Tweeted, "My #daughter Jillian is having the #Sweet16 celebration of her #dreams Tonight….I love this kid with every fiber of my being!" She also added a special thank you shout-out to Oprah. "Thank you #oprah and @harpostudios for helping us celebrate my daughter Jillian's #sweet16."
Well, at least there is some silver lining on the Guidice's excessive legal issues. A Bergen County, New Jersey Superior Court judge has dismissed the charges in a fraud case against Teresa Guidice. Woo hoo! Oh wait. I guess I should mention that they weren't those charges in that case. Small victories though, right?
The Real Housewives of New Jersey star was cleared of any involvement in the mortgage fraud allegations brought against her by Juicy Joe's former business partner Joseph Mastropole. Fortunately, most of the charges against Joe have been dropped as well. Unfortunately, this case has nothing to do with the multitude of bankruptcy fraud charges which could mean jail time for Joe and Tre.
Is she or isn't she? Dina Manzo is reportedly back in the saddle when it comes to Real Housewives of New Jersey, but is she jumping back on the horse when it comes to love? After announcing her split from her husband (although no divorce proceedings have been filed) , there have been several rumors galloping around about her relationship status.
Heck, just this week, we here at RT wondered if Dina was dating radio personality Kenny Arena. A source close to Dina told us that "Dina may not be divorced but Kenny Arena and her are dating and they have been," revealing, "They are a couple." Are they?
