Jackie Goldschneider opened up about the still-divided cast members of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” and her feelings on being cast as a “friend” instead of a full cast member last season.
In a newly released interview on the “Behind the Velvet Rope With David Yontef” podcast posted on Sept. 8, Goldschneider admitted that the cast divide made her “sad,” especially in comparison to other “Real Housewives” casts that are able to “be in a room together’ at events such as BravoCon.
“Every other cast can sit on a panel together. And we can’t. And I think it’s, it’s sad that we’ve gotten to this place,” Goldscheider told Yontef in the interview. “I think that there is a lot that happens behind the scenes, a lot of, you know, I don’t watch every other Housewife show, but I feel like on New Jersey, when we dislike each other, we go really hard and try to, like, destroy each other. And I wish that wasn’t the case.”
As for who could “lose their job” for Season 15, Goldscheidner admitted that Teresa Giudice and her estranged sister-in-law Melissa Gorga are both valuable to the show. “I don’t know who could lose their job,” she said. “I could see a world in which, you know, a lot of people are recast.”
She added, “I don’t know, I can’t imagine that they would just get rid of one person because then I feel like that looks like they’re choosing a side. You know, the truth is that Teresa does drive a lot of the drama. But I think Melissa is a valuable cast member also. So I don’t know, I can’t even begin to guess.”
In addition to Goldscheider, Giudice, and Gorga, the 14th season of RHONJ starred Margaret Josephs, Dolores Catania, Jennifer Aydin, Danielle Cabral, Rachel Fuda, and “friend” Jennifer Fessler.
Jackie Goldscheider Doesn’t Mind Being a ‘Friend’ on RHONJ
GettyGoldscheider joined RHONJ as a main cast member in Season 9 in 2018. For seasons 13 and 14, she appeared ina lesser role as a “friend.” She told Yontef that she really enjoyed being part of the show, no matter what her role.
“I really enjoy the show or else I wouldn’t still be on it, even with the bad moments,” she said. “The high moments, I mean, the friendships I’ve made that have carried on off camera, those have been great.”
She reiterated that the “friend” status worked for her busy life.
“I don’t mind being a friend,” the mom of four said. “It’s working for me right now. If they offered me full time, I’m not gonna lie. I would probably take it, but [Season 14] that would not have been good for me because my husband and kids, I think, needed a longer break. And if I stay a friend, I’m happy with that. I like that. I actually have a really good time with the friend role. …. I’ve been on for a long time. So, I actually make a really nice salary from it. And I’m less involved in the intense drama. So, it works for me, it does.”
Jackie Goldschneider Is Reportedly ‘Still in Consideration’ for RHONJ Season 15
BravoRHONJ has been on hiatus for more than a year amid rumors of a full reboot or cast shakeup.
According to Us Weekly, Josephs, Catania, and Gorga reportedly test-filmed with potential new cast members in mid-August, including podcast host Michelle Barone. An insider told the outlet that Goldscheider, Giudice, and Fessler “are still in consideration to be part of the new season,” even though they were not part of the initial test filming.
There is no timeline for an RHONJ cast announcement. In late 2024, Bravo host Andy Cohen told Us Weekly it would be well into 2025 before a cast update would be announced.
“You’re not gonna get it for, like, a year, so everyone stop asking,” he told the outlet last December. “And I keep saying you are going to get nothing, so stop asking!”
