Rachel Fuda is calling out “fake friendships” on Real Housewives of New Jersey.
Rachel watched the Season 14 finale in one room of Rails Steakhouse with close friends Margaret Josephs, Melissa Gorga, Danielle Cabral, and Jennifer Fessler. Meanwhile, Teresa Giudice, Jennifer Aydin, and Jackie Goldschneider watched the episode downstairs. Dolores Catania was Switzerland, going back and forth between the two rooms.
While appearing on Page Six’s Virtual Reali-Tea podcast on August 12, Rachel spoke about her belief that Teresa’s “manufactured” relationships have ruined RHONJ.
Rachel Fuda has “true relationships”
The divided cast and the animosity between the two factions dictated the format of the “Off the Rails” special, which replaced the traditional season reunion. Nobody wanted to see a repeat of the misery that was the Season 13 Reunion. Fans can only stomach so much hate and nastiness.
But amid all the venomous name-calling, Rachel believes she has formed some solid friendships. “We have true relationships with each other,” she said. “I think that’s the thing that was so unique about our room for the watch party.”
Rachel truly believes that she and her side of the fractured cast have “true relationships versus manufactured relationships … That was a very stark reality, and it’s so clear.”
The mom of three has had her differences with Teresa throughout her two-year tenure on the show. This season Teresa had Rachel fighting back when Tre claimed that Rachel’s husband, John Fuda, had a past dealing drugs. John, who was never arrested or convicted of anything, vehemently denied the claims.
Rachel believes Jennifer and Jackie are merely Teresa’s minions, helping her to take down any and all of Tre’s perceived enemies.
“You watch the other room, and it’s like, ‘OK, Teresa, what’s the narrative now? What are we going to say? What do we have to prove now?’” Rachel said. “It’s just very manufactured … I think that’s the biggest problem … Our show is truly lacking authenticity in its relationships and friendships.”
In contrast, “when you were watching our room, it’s like a group of friends bantering, making comments, gasping, laughing, like, all those little things that we would do if we were sitting on my living room couch,” she added.
Rachel Fuda appreciates RHONJ viewer support
At the Season 13 reunion, John accused Teresa’s husband, Luis Ruelas, of hiring detective Bo Dietl to uncover dirt on some of the cast members to make them look bad. Luis denied the charges.
Rachel expressed thanks for all the support she’s received from viewers. “I appreciate everyone that not only supports our room and our side but also my family,” she said. “It’s been a rocky year, so to have that support feels really good because there’s been a lot of negativity … It feels good to have that moment of other people see we’re good people.”
As the current cast waits for a decision on the show’s future — a reboot seems more than likely — Rachel hopes to be part of the new cast.
“I would love to be included,” she admitted. “[But] whatever they decide to do … I would love to see the show move forward in a more positive direction.”
In the meantime, Rachel’s looking forward to expanding her family since announcing her pregnancy at the finale. She loved being able to add a happy moment to an otherwise oppressive finale.
“Our show has gotten so dark and so toxic, it’s [not often that] we’re smiling and celebrating something with excitement and happiness,” she explained. “It gave me all the feels, you know?”
All episodes of Real Housewives of New Jersey are now streaming on Peacock.
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