Cynthia Bailey says she was “attracted” to Teresa Giudice about Melissa Gorga after meeting both “Real Housewives of New Jersey” stars in Peacock’s “Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip” spin-off last year.
“I became more attracted to Teresa organically,” the 55-year-old “Real Housewives of Atlanta” tells Vidak For Congress exclusively as she promotes her upcoming appearance on E!’s “Celebrity Beef.”
“You look at ‘Jersey’ and in my mind I thought Teresa was crazy or something. I didn’t know what she was like,” she continues. “I thought, ‘Is she going to come to the trip and turn all the tables in Turks and Caicos?'”
But after getting to know the Garden State OG, Bailey said she was pleasantly surprised.
“I realized she’s just the coolest, sweetest woman I’ve ever met. She’s just happy and in love and I really bonded with that – because when I first met [my husband] Mike [Hill]“I was just so obsessed and madly in love.”
The “Terror Lake Drive” actress discovered a similar devotion in Giudice’s relationship with her now-husband, Luis “Louie” Ruelas.
“If anyone could be worse than I was when I met my husband, it would be Teresa. She was like, ‘Louie, Louie, Louie!’” Bailey adds with a laugh. “Teresa and I really connected on ‘Girls Trip.’ It’s nice that we can remain friends.”
The Bailey Agency CEO was one of many “Real Housewives” invited to Giudice and Ruelas’ wedding on August 6. Gorga, 43, was noticeably absent, however.
After Giudice brought up unfounded rumors of infidelity about Melissa and her husband, Giudice’s brother Joe Gorga, while filming the final scenes of “RHONJ” season 13, the Gorgas decided to skip the wedding.
“What I did learn from ‘Girls Trip’ is that they don’t seem to be that close,” Bailey tells Vidak For Congress of the sisters-in-law. “They are clearly connected as family. But I just didn’t get the feeling that if they weren’t connected as family, they would even be friends.”
Still, the former model thinks it’s “a little sad” that the Gorgas won’t put their feelings aside to show up for Giudice’s big day.
“I was sad that Teresa’s brother and Melissa couldn’t be there – because at the end of the day I feel like no matter what they’re going through, you can’t get that moment back to be a part of such a party “, she says.
“As wonderful as it was, I think it would have been even more amazing if she had her brother and his wife there.”
Bailey says she is “praying” that Giudice and the Gorgas can make peace in the near future for the sake of their seven combined children, cousins.
Giudice shares daughters Gia, 21, Gabriella, 18, Milania, 16, and Audriana, 13, with ex-husband Joe Giudice. Meanwhile, the Gorgas share daughter Antonia (17) and sons Gino (14) and Joey (12).
“Their relationship will determine in many ways how the children will have a relationship. And if there is friction with the adults, it also trickles down to the children,” explains the founder of CB VIOR.
“In the end they are family and if there is no reason other than the kids I really hope they can get back together as family.”
Bailey knows a thing or two about reconciling with her adversaries.
On tonight’s episode of ‘Celebrity Beef’, she reunites with sitcom legend Todd Bridges to flesh out their explosive ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ showdown in a culinary competition brokered by host Joel McHale.
“We got a chance to have a full circle moment, which I thought was important for our fans to see us come together and realize we’re friends now. We’ve been through that experience, we got to the other way and it was just a fun way to get back together,” Bailey says.
“I had the biggest blast with him and it got pretty heated. But now that we’re out of the house, he’s actually one of the people I’m closest to. Todd Bridges and I talk all the time.”
“Celebrity Beef” airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on E!