'RHONJ' stars Joe and Melissa Gorga skip Teresa Giudice's wedding after 'unforgivable betrayal'
Joe Gorga and Melissa Gorga, Teresa Giudice's brother and sister-in-law, missed her wedding to Louie Ruelas on Saturday, August 6, 2022, owing to a contentious argument the group had at the 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' Season 13 taping a few days earlier. The Gorgas' absence from Giudice and Ruelas' wedding was previously reported on August 5, Friday, however, details of what transpired were unclear at the time.
Joe and Melissa weren't going to attend the wedding, according to two insiders who exclusively revealed the reason for their absence to People magazine on August 4, Thursday night as false reports about their union started to circulate. "Teresa betrayed them in a way that's unforgivable," one source said. "They're not going to celebrate Teresa's new marriage when all she does is try to tear apart theirs."
READ MORE
'The Real Housewives Met Gala': Fans react to ‘RHONJ’ star Teresa Giudice wedding with Luis Ruelas
'RHONJ' Reunion: Teresa dubbed as 'garbage' for claiming Melissa and she aren't 'close'
"It's telling that Teresa didn't have one relative at her wedding," the source added, pointing out the absence of estranged cousins Rosie Pierri and Kathy Wakile as well. "But that's the choice Teresa made."
A different insider claims that the Gorgas' choice was motivated by a desire to defend themselves from Giudice's relentless insults over the years. The insider claimed, "Viewers will see, but after the continued attacks, it's clear the healthiest thing for Joe and Melissa to do is walk away. They just want to find peace, especially for their three children."
"Melissa and Joe's efforts to make family a priority with Teresa are exhausted," the insider continued. "Sometimes removing the toxic energy from your life is the only way forward."
Giudice and Ruelas' wedding wasn't just skipped by the Gorgas. Dina Manzo, a former 'RHONJ' star, who was rumored to have been a bridesmaid, and her husband Dave Cantin skipped the special occasion as well.
Some have speculated that Manzo, who famously left 'RHONJ', simply didn't want to be on camera, while others have suggested that the two may have fallen out. Their absence has not been officially explained, but Manzo wrote in a cryptic Instagram post about having "the courage to know when to end things" as the wedding bells rang.
Giudice and Ruelas exchanged vows on Saturday at the Park Chateau Estate & Gardens in East Brunswick, New Jersey in front of 220 guests. The occasion was captured on camera for a Bravo television special. After the finale of RHONJ' Season 13, Giudice and Ruelas' wedding special is scheduled to appear on Bravo in the following year.
Ruelas' two sons, David and Nicholas, from his previous marriage, as well as the reality star's four daughters, Gia, 21, Gabriella, 17, Milania, 16, and Audriana, 12, whom she has with her ex-husband Joe Giudice were all present at the wedding.
Along with a sea of Bravo stars, including Jennifer Aydin, Dolores Catania, Margaret Josephs, and Jackie Goldschneider from 'RHONJ', Chanel Ayan from 'RH Dubai', Alexia Nepola from 'RH Miami', Ashley Darby from 'RH Potomac', Dorinda Medley and Jill Zarin from 'RH New York City', and Kenya Moore, Phaedra Parks, and Cynthia Bailey from 'RH Atlanta', were also present at the wedding. The talk show presenter Loni Love, who recently appeared alongside Giudice on 'Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen', was also present for the nuptials.