Teresa Giudice may not be a part of The Real Housewives of New Jersey when the series returns for its 15th season.
While Bravo has remained mum in regard to which cast members will be asked back, a new report claims Teresa, 53, who has long been known as the unofficial star of the show, has not filmed any test footage for the new season, despite recent rumors suggesting she has.
“There are lots of rumors trying to be put out that Teresa filmed test footage for RHONJ, but the truth is she didn’t,” an insider told OK! Magazine on August 29. “Her fans can say whatever they want, but Melissa Gorga, Margaret Josephs and Dolores Catania filmed with new women.”
After noting that the filming of test footage “recently wrapped,” saying “it went well,” the source went on to allege that Teresa “did not film at all.”
“It’s really looking probable Bravo is moving on without her, and the show’s future does not include her,” they stated.
While Teresa certainly has “diehard followers” and her “fans” will surely “end up saying this isn’t true” and that the show couldn’t possibly “go on without her,” the insider insisted that those fans will be “very disappointed” with how season 15 shakes out.
As RHONJ fans may have seen, a source previously told the outlet that producers had decided to base the show’s 15th season around Margaret, 58.
“Bravo has decided to pursue building the show around Margaret as the main character for the time being,” they shared. “Dolores and Melissa are both close with Margaret, so that part is aligned. And, Marge isn’t scared to be dramatic, but she’s also funny and quick-witted. Additionally, she’s always been open with her life and doesn’t hide things.
She truly embodies everything a ‘Real Housewife’ has always meant to be.”
In addition to Margaret being “front and center,” with Melissa, 46, and Dolores, 54, at her side, the insider went on to reveal that production would also be bringing “new blood” to the series for added “fun and drama.”
“It’s definitely going to be a funny, fresh and entertaining season of RHONJ when the dust settles,” they vowed. “Those who were fearful RHONJ would not return can definitely rest easy, as it is absolutely coming back.”
On September 3, “Dancing With the Stars” fans finally found out which celebrities and professional dancers would be competing on Season 34. Some, such as Robert Irwin, Alix Earle, Jen Affleck, and Whitney Leavitt, had already been announced. But it was exciting to see many rumored contestants confirmed.
But Carrie Ann Inaba was missing from the big “Good Morning America” reveal. However, despite the longtime judge’s absence, she’s been officially confirmed for Season 34.
While judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli were on GMA for the cast reveal, many noticed that Carrie Ann Inaba wasn’t. On the show’s Instagram video, one DWTS fan asked, “No Carrie Ann?” Another fan quickly responded.
“She couldn’t make it to the GMA announcement, but she will be there when the show starts,” she wrote.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Good Morning America (@goodmorningamerica)
It isn’t clear why Inaba couldn’t make it, nor has she responded to those questioning her absence. Her last Instagram post was a throwback photo of her, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli, in which she reminisced about them being “just babies” at their first photo shoot 20 years ago.
Others thought that her Instagram story from a week ago had something to do with her absence. On August 27, she posted a photo to her stories titled “DWTS Season 34 Male Pros,” featuring a photo of all the male dancers that were announced on GMA. “Okay… Let’s go Season 34 Make [Male] Pros!” She commented underneath. She deleted it shortly after, but many took screenshots and shared it on Reddit.
“Not Carrie Ann breaking her NDA,” a Redditor wrote.
“I’m laughing!!! She’s definitely not allowed to be posting that stuff but she is,” commented another.
Whatever her reason for missing out, most fans are happy that Inaba will be returning.
When “Dancing With the Stars” premiered in 2005, things were much different from what they are now. We didn’t even have iPhones yet.
“There was no Twitter, there was [barely any] social media,” showrunner Conrad Green told TV Insider. “The celebrity landscape has changed enormously. Even television has changed, but the core concepts of what makes a good contestant and what makes someone relatable are the same now as they were 20 years ago.”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by TV Guide Magazine (@tvguidemagazine)
However, while some things change, the reason people keep tuning into the show remains the same.
“Thankfully, people love to be inspired and watch somebody that they can relate to,” Inaba said. “Just getting out on our dance floor is winning.”