Dina Manzo is making her triumphant return to the Real Housewives of New Jersey this season. But don't expect to see any of the family fireworks and drama we got to see in season one, when Dina shared the screen with sister Caroline and sister-in-law Jaqueline Laurita.
But don't blame Dina for her family not being a part of season six. She spoke with US Weekly recently and says she had nothing to do with their absence.
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"I didn't get anyone fired," Dina told US Weekly. "One of my first questions for the producers when I was invited back was, 'You're not getting rid of anyone because of me, right?' And they said, 'Absolutely not.'"
I truly can't say whether Dina coming back had anything to do with producers giving her sister-in-law, Jacqueline, the boot after starring in all five seasons. It could have simply been the end of her story line.
Dina and her sister Caroline have not spoken for years, after Caroline blamed costar Teresa Giudice — and Dina's bestie– for the falling out. Unlike Jacqueline not being asked back, we know for sure that Caroline's departure had nothing to do with her sister coming back.
Even before the end of season five, Caroline announced she would not be coming back for another season. Rumors of a spin-off were confirmed when Bravo announced that they would air Manzo'd With Children later this year. The new series follows the exploits of Caroline, husband Albert, and kids Albie, Chris and Lauren.
I personally think that Bravo needed to bring someone back who would be in Teresa Giudice's corner, and who better than her best friend. Although stories were published that Dina had to come back to the show in order to gain financial independence from her philandering soon-to-be-ex-husband, I think it makes sense for the story line. It was almost getting painful to watch everyone gang up on Teresa Giudice — and I don't even like her!
But the circumstances of her family being absent this season also seems to work in Dina's favor. "Other than my daughter [Lexi, 18]—we share a bond that nothing can break—I will never do a reality show with family ever again," Dina, told US. "It's just not a healthy environment."
TELL US! DO YOU THINK DINA CAME BACK BECAUSE HER FAMILY LEFT? OR DID PRODUCERS GET RID OF JAQUELINE IN ORDER TO GET DINA BACK?
[Photo by: Alex Martinez/Bravo]
