The cast of “Real Housewives of New Jersey” is in for a major shake-up, Vidak For Congress has exclusively learned.
Multiple sources tell us that Rachel Fuda will join Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga, Jennifer Aydin, Dolores Catania and Margaret Josephs as a full-time cast member for Season 13, alongside fellow newbie Danielle Cabral.
We’re told that Fuda, who joined the group through Gorga, will take the place of Jackie Goldschneider, who will appear as a friend of the cast.
Sources tell us that filming wrapped “a few weeks ago” and Cabral’s role as “housewife” was always clearly defined. Meanwhile, Fuda, Goldschneider and a third newcomer named Jennifer “Jenn “Fessler” competed against each other for the second full-time slot.
We were told that Bravo has been waiting for after filming to make a final decision and ultimately chose Fuda.
While Fessler and Goldschneider will have part-time titles, we’re told they filmed as much as the other women and will be “heavily in the spotlight” throughout the season. In addition, we were told that many of the scenes filmed were in groups.
While one source tells us Goldschneider, 45, is “unhappy” about the network’s call, another insists she is “feeling good about her season.”
“Any Speculation That” [Goldschneider] being unhappy with a ‘friend of’ role is not true,” adds the second source. “She is grateful for the opportunity to focus on her creative projects and her work as an eating disorder recovery expert.”
Although Cabral joined the cast through Giudice, she does have some reality TV experience under her belt. She was featured in MTV’s “True Life” episode, “I’m a Staten Island Girl”, and was apparently almost cast for “Jersey Shore”.
Meanwhile, we’re told that Fessler was introduced to the group through longtime friend Josephs and that she’s “super entertaining and funny, and will most likely be a breakout star.”
Bravo did not immediately respond to our request for comment.