Was Melissa Gorga fired from ‘RHONJ?’

Drama defines the Real Housewives franchise, so it’s no surprise when fresh spectacle arises on one of the reality program’s many variants.

This time it’s The Real Housewives of New Jersey, or RHONJ, which may be parting ways with one of its longstanding stars. Reports that a feud between Melissa Gorga and Teresa Giudice has officially escalated to the point of a firing is lighting up the show’s fandom as drama hounds soak up every detail and wonder about the fate of their favorite cast members.

Several contentious seasons gradually escalated the tension between Giudice and Gorga until the pair finally hit their breaking point during the season 13 reunion. After spending months trading barbs and hurtful actions, communication between the duo — and Gorga’s husband Joe, who is also Giudice’s brother — broke down during the reunion, in which fresh family feuding arose. Back-and-forth accusations, plenty of tears, and several storm-offs elevated the reunion to one of the spiciest yet, and the ceaseless drama might just be enough to see one of the major players booted from the show.

Is Melissa Gorga returning for season 14 of RHONJ?

Both Gorga and Giudice are vital elements of the RHONJ formula, but only one has been around from the very start. Giudice has been a staple of the 13-season series since it premiered in 2009, but Gorga didn’t join its ranks until season three in 2011. While the presence of both stars has elevated the program on plenty of occasions, the escalation of their ongoing feud might just be enough to see a permanent cast shake-up.

Reports are still scarce, but rumors are predictably rampant, and they claim that Gorga won’t be returning for RHONJ season 14. A contentious season 13, capped by a particularly explosive reunion, appears to have finally been enough for Bravo to part ways with Gorga, at least according to many of the show’s fans and several dedicated Real Housewives rumor accounts. None of these have concrete sources, of course, but many viewers are taking reports of Gorga’s firing as fact.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to learn that one of the Housewives is on her way out, after even host Andy Cohen lost his temper with the ceaseless fighting during the show’s reunion. Giudice sparked rumors of Gorga’s eventual exit herself after making the claim during a heated moment, and that’s likely why fans are so attached to the idea.

Until Bravo officially announces her exit, however, we’ll be resting comfortably in the “wait and see” camp. We don’t know for sure if Gorga or Giudice are on their way out, but any feud big enough to put a show like RHONJ on hiatus is bound to be short-lived. It seems guaranteed that, if the ladies can’t sort their issues out for themselves, one of them will be speedily replaced for season 14.