Credit: Andrew Eccles/Bravo
Jennifer Fessler received some advice from Margaret Josephs before he joined the cast of Real Housewives of New Jersey. But did he get a warning too?
During a recent interview, Jennifer shared what Margaret had to say when she took on the new role, explaining what she regrets about getting involved. Theresa Judge and Luis Ruelas‘ wedding, and it was revealed that the cast members surprised him the most during filming.
“[Margaret] advise me, which is really like, be yourself. He didn’t give me too many hints. I think he really wanted me to find my own way, which I respect,” Jennifer told Us Weekly in a recent interview.
Because Jennifer was in the audience RHONJ before he joined the show, Margaret didn’t have to warn him “too much”.
“I knew what he was going through, but he never set me up to be his soldier. He let me have my own experience,” Jennifer said.
One of the most difficult storylines to navigate, of course, there is a family conflict between Teresa and Melissa Gorga.
“It was really hard,” Jennifer admitted. “Sometimes [I] know exactly where Teresa is coming from. He was really open with me about what he was going through… [And] I love Melissa so much and know what she feels and feels.
Although Jennifer “felt terrible for Melissa” after she was targeted with false cheating allegations, which reportedly hurt her and her brother. Joe GorgaTeresa’s brother, sitting out of Teresa’s wedding, he finally made a “very difficult call” to attend, even though he left early.
“I left the wedding early with Margaret, which, in retrospect, I shouldn’t have done and I regret it,” Jennifer shared. “I actually reached out to Teresa and apologized to her after the fact.”
According to Jennifer, she struggled with what to do after being “really close”. However, when he looked back, he realized that this was not the place to stand.
“I don’t have the right to go to a party and make any kind of statement, so I’m really happy,” he said.
But luckily, after approaching Teresa, he met with grace.
“Teresa was very nice … She was very nice when she accepted my forgiveness,” Jennifer shared, confirming Teresa as RHONJ the cast members that surprised him the most.
“I had some deep conversations with Teresa that I didn’t expect, amazing, deep conversations,” he revealed. “Teresa, um, that’s interesting, just very sweet, kind, warm, and open with me. She knows I’m coming as Margaret’s friend. But she can’t be welcoming anymore, which means a lot.
Jennifer didn’t expect to be so close to him either Jackie Goldschneider.
“We became very close. We were very similar,” he said. “She has a good heart and she really listens. I never doubted that I would be close to Jackie so soon.
While fans now know that the premiere reconciliation between Margaret and Teresa was short-lived, Jennifer said she was “happy” to see her friends make mistakes.
“I’m really excited,” Jennifer shared. “Because when they’re not involved, I think it’s really easy to see why they’re friends. They have this energy when they’re together that’s fun to watch.
Jennifer then said that she didn’t believe Margaret was “messed up,” her friend said something she didn’t always appreciate.
“He has a sharp tongue and he says some things that you’ll see as the season progresses,” Jennifer said. “I don’t like the way he approaches things, because he has a sharp tongue, but I wouldn’t call him rude.”
Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 13 airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Bravo.