Traci Lynn Johnson joined The Real Housewives of New Jersey as a “friend” following years of friendship with Melissa Gorga and her husband, Joe Gorga. So, it may not be too surprising to hear that she experienced drama with Teresa Giudice amid filming.
Amid Joe’s ongoing drama with Teresa, much of which has involved her ex-husband, Joe Giudice, and new fiancé, Luis Ruelas, Traci admitted that she too butted heads with the series OG before sharing how her husband of nearly 10 years, former New York Giants football star Tiki Barber, felt about her joining the show.
“I have drama with Teresa this season. It probably intensifies the further along we get. You know with anything with Teresa, you never know what you’re gonna get,” Traci told E! News on February 1.
According to Traci, it was actually something that Tiki did that led to their tension.
“Tiki causes a little bit of drama in Jersey,” she shared.
Although Traci did face drama with Teresa, she said she “was pleasantly surprised by most of” the RHONJ cast, including Teresa.
“As the O.G. of the show I thought Teresa would be very territorial and not wanting a newcomer to come in, and I will say I was very surprised and very happy to see how she welcomed me into the group of friends,” Traci shared. “She was very great in the beginning.”
As Traci got to know the ladies of the show, Tiki, who was already close with Joe, got acquainted with the rest of the Jersey husbands.
“He is like a full-fledged house husband at this point. He has always been such a great friend with Joe, and all the other guys really welcomed him into the group with some teasing and hazing, of course I’m sure,” she laughed.
During a separate interview with Hollywood Life, Traci said season 12 will continue with “more explosive arguments” following Margaret Josephs‘ premiere reveal regarding Jennifer Aydin‘s husband Bill’s affair.
“Teresa mainly. She seems to be a catalyst of a lot of drama on this season,” Traci noted, giving a nod to a wild dinner in Nashville.
“What started off [as] a conversation with Teresa and I that was pretty civil […] Margaret jumped on in and it seemed like within seconds the table was being flipped on us and it was like a table flip 2.0,” she recalled. “I was in shock. I never in my life have experienced grown women acting like that. This was something that should have been in high school [laughs]. It was a total shock to see that even happen. I [was] definitely taken aback.”
According to Traci, she found Teresa to be “pretty hypocritical in what she expects from her brother as opposed to what she actually delivers to her brother.”
“Her actions don’t always coincide with her words,” she explained.
Regarding how Tiki felt about her taking part in RHONJ season 12, Traci confirmed he was fully supportive.
“Most people would think Tiki would be like, ‘There’s no way I’m doing it at all,’ but he had so much fun with Joe Gorga! He was like, ‘Any chance to hang out with Joe more I’m all in!’” she revealed.
Traci also said that if welcomed to appear on season 13, she “would definitely return.”
“I think the girls are so genuine and amazing to be around. It’s such a fun dynamic when we’re all together and all in a good mood which, you know [laughs]. But it’s just a great opportunity to hang out with your friends,” she gushed.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey season 12 airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.
Photos Credit: Instagram/TraciLynnJohnson, Rodolfo Martinez/Bravo
