When Jackie Goldschneider joined the Real Housewives of New Jersey during Season 9, I thought to myself, “I’m going to like this lady.” She was a journalist with opinions and didn’t seem all wrapped up in the Botox and drama like the other ladies. She befriended Melissa Gorga, and the two really seemed to hit it off, but somewhere along the line, alliances changed. Melissa had years of her own annoying storylines that just never landed well with the viewers, but befriending Jackie helped her get a bit of a boost.
Jackie faced down multiple attempts to thwart her role as the newest New Jersey housewife During Season 9, including rumors about her husband, Evan Goldschneider, having an affair and confronting her issues with a lifelong eating disorder. Melissa stood by her side, helping to guide her new friend through the struggles of reality TV. But were both stars just using one another for extra TV time, and is it possible that they never even cared for one another? Could it be that they never even made best friends forever bracelets? Hopefully, fans will be getting some answers when the new season premiers.
A Blossoming Friendship
I always take Real Housewives friendships with a grain of salt especially since half the women only have just met one another when the cameras start rolling. But Jackie and Mel seemed to have a genuine connection. Looking back, maybe it was because Jackie didn’t entertain Teresa Giudice’s outlandish storylines, often calling her out. Melissa has always needed an ally when it came to defending herself against Teresa. So it could be that Mel saw her opportunity to get another lady on her team and grabbed it.
Even when Jackie was getting picked on by Jennifer Aydin, Melissa stood up for her friend. Who could forget the epic Hamptons table meltdown over a kids’ pizza-themed birthday party? The two added a breath of fresh air for a few seasons since it showed some of the women could truly be friends.
The Feud
Season 13 wrapped with Melissa still aligning herself with Jackie and Margaret Josephs after her last and major fallout with her sister-in-law. The three musketeers seemed closer than ever, but sometime between breaking from filming knocked them for a loop. The catalyst seemed to be a fallout between Jackie and Margaret, perhaps putting Melissa in the middle. Jackie told In Touch a “trust was broken” with Margaret, but where did she stand with Mel?
According to Jackie, “Nothing happened with Melissa. So I don’t know if Melissa just jumped on what was happening with me and Margaret and made it hers. But I have no problem with Melissa; I never had an argument with Melissa. So I’m officially saying that I have no issue with Melissa.” Hmm, this is a head-scratcher for sure because I can’t kick the feeling that I am being lied to. Friendships end, but there is always a reason.
Trouble in Paradise
As the saying goes, let sleeping housewives lie, but Melissa must have missed the memo. She recently shared some insight into the feud via Access Hollywood, noting, “Jackie and I aren’t completely not speaking, but we’re definitely not where we were.” Honestly, that is like me saying, “I’m not completely going to eat this cookie,” when we all know I will. So what’s the issue then, Missy G? Many fans figured it was because Jackie started forming a relationship with Tre, but Melissa denied that was the reason behind their break.
If anything, I smell a new storyline coming on since it feels like Melissa doesn’t have anything to offer but yet another feud with another costar. Even though Jackie was demoted to a “friend of,” she has been more interesting than when she was a full-time housewife. Only time will tell if the ladies hate one another or if their frienemy relationship is just another act for the cameras.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK WE WILL EVER GET THE TRUTH ABOUT WHY MELISSA AND JACKIE’S FRIENDSHIP FAILED?
