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Melissa Gorga was questioned about recent rumors claiming she’s shot test footage for the upcoming 15th season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey with potential newbies during an event on Wednesday.
As she also reacted to Andy Cohen, 58, saying they were “close” on Watch What Happens Live, and confirmed that she and Joe Gorga, 50, were “ready to go,” Melissa, 46, shared what she believes is most important when it comes to casting for the new season and admitted that the show’s ongoing hiatus has been disappointing.
“We can’t confirm or deny, so we don’t know,” Melissa told Us Weekly at the Page Six Virtual Reali-Tea “VRT Awards” of the alleged test footage on September 17. “The last thing Andy Cohen said was that we’re close, which is awesome. We’re all crossing our fingers, whatever Bravo decides.”
“[But we’re] ready to go,” she continued. “Tap us in.”
According to a prior report from the outlet, producers recently test-filmed with Melissa, Margaret Josephs, 58, Dolores Catania, 54, and possible newbies, including Michelle Barone, to see how the women would interact with the veterans.
“I do think it should be an authentic relationship,” Melissa noted of potential cast changes. “Anyone who’s trying to say it should come back with unauthentic relationships. I just think it would be a huge mistake … [It has to] be real … It’s got to be a true group of friends or I really don’t think it works. That’s just the facts, no matter which way it goes. … I just feel like it needs to be a real group of friends.”
Melissa also spoke to Page Six at the event, saying, “They’re figuring it out.”
“I wish I had better answers for you, but they’re figuring it out,” she explained. “[I’m] waiting for them to make a decision, as well, just like all of you.”
That said, Melissa hopes to start filming soon.
“We are very much so a family on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. We love each other. We’ve been together for many years and it’s sad that we’re on this pause. It’s a long pause. It’s like, let’s go,” she declared.
While Teresa Giudice, 53, was not featured in the supposed test footage, and rumors have suggested the show may go on without her, she’s said she doesn’t need to film test shots.
“Does a professor ever take the test?” Teresa asked on SiriusXM’s Jeff Lewis Live earlier this month.