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Luann de Lesseps said she believes Real Housewives of New Jersey was “actually shooting” the new season, and only the “new girls” were being tested. The Real Housewives of New York star then reacted to reports that Teresa Giudice may not be involved.
Earlier this month, reports surfaced that Melissa Gorga, Dolores Catania, and Margaret Josephs were “test-filming” with potential newbies for the new season — without Teresa. But according to one source, the network hasn’t yet decided who’s returning.
On Page Six Radio, Luann was asked about RHONJ‘s test-shooting.
“Are they test shooting or are they actually shooting?” asked Luann, putting ‘test-shooting’ in air quotes. “I think they’re probably actually shooting, if you ask me.”
In Luann’s opinion, the only aspect being ‘tested’ is the “new girls,” but the show will “absolutely” use the footage if it’s good.
“[You think they’d] waste their time and crews?” she asked. “You need sound and you need lighting, you need crew.”
The radio host then asked, “If New Jersey is headed in the direction of going with the Melissa side of things and not the Teresa side of things, do you have any thoughts on that?”
“Listen, it can go south in a second,” Luann answered. “Remember when … I was [demoted to] a friend? They didn’t use me in the promos, in the pictures, and I was in every scene … It was a contract thing … So I’m saying, you just never know.”
A few weeks ago, a source shared that Teresa wasn’t involved in the test-filming.
“There are lots of rumors trying to be put out that Teresa filmed test footage for RHONJ, but the truth is she didn’t,” said the source at the time in an interview with OK! Magazine. “But [only] Melissa Gorga, Margaret Josephs and Dolores Catania filmed with new women … It’s really looking probable Bravo is moving on without [Teresa].”
An insider previously told the same outlet, “Bravo has decided to pursue building the show around Margaret as the main character for the time being.”