Now we know why Andy Cohen said that “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” Season 12 reunion taping was “upsetting.”
Page Six can exclusively reveal that Joe Gorga stormed off the set during a heated conversation about his relationship with 21-year-old niece, Gia Giudice, with whom he butted heads during the season over negative comments he had made about her father, Joe Giudice.
A source with direct knowledge of the situation tells us Gorga — the husband of “RHONJ” star Melissa Gorga and brother of Gia’s mom, Teresa Giudice — was “so upset over the family drama with Gia” that he proclaimed, “I quit. It’s not worth it. This is my family. I’m done!” before fleeing the stage.
We’re told Cohen quickly stepped in and begged Teresa to run after Joe.
We’re told Andy Cohen begged Teresa Giudice to chase after her brother.Getty Images
“Andy said to Tre, ‘Go get your brother. We cannot have him quitting the show. Go get him,’” our insider shared.
We’re told Teresa obliged and went to go speak with Joe offstage. It’s unclear if that conversation was filmed; however, we’re told he did not actually quit the show.
DePaola claimed the ordeal “worried” Cohen and that he even said, “‘We can’t lose this guy.’”
“I guess something must have happened that Andy felt Teresa needed to go get him,” she told Yontef, going on to say that it was a seemingly “ugly reunion.”
He and wife Melissa Gorga have been on “RHONJ” since 2011.melissagorga/Instagram
DePaola also noted that she doesn’t think Joe is “leaving the show for good.”