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Melissa Gorga revealed that Kathy Wakile and her husband, Richard “Richie” Wakile, moved into her and Joe Gorga‘s neighborhood during a recent appearance on Jeff Lewis‘ radio show.
As she confessed to wanting to make amends with the couple following their falling out years ago, the 45-year-old Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member shared how she and Joe learned that his cousin was building a home close by and explained why a reconciliation with the Wakiles would mean so much to her husband.
“[Kathy] and Richie just bought the lot on my street, across the street from me, and they are building a house diagonal from me across the street on my street. Literally,” Melissa began on SiriusXM Radio’s Jeff Lewis Live. “It’s funny. Everyone moves to my street. I lived on the other street first also, and then, you know, my sister-in-law [Teresa Giudice] moved onto the street, and then now I’m on this street and now Kathy’s moving across the street.”
According to Melissa, Kathy and Richie drive by her “all the time” because they “have to pass [her house] to get to their house.” But as time goes on, she’s hoping that the cousins run into each other and can have a productive talk.
“Kathy’s a good person and I do think that [Joe] regrets, you know, he did what he had to do at the time to back his sister up and do what he had to do, but I really think he enjoyed Kathy,” she explained. “Kathy was a good cousin to him. She took care of him. He had a great relationship with [Rosie Pierri]. They were, like, growing up, those two were extremely close, Joe and Rosie, so I do think it’s unfortunate that that’s family and they’re not together, and I mean, look at me, I have my cousin sitting next to me.”
At that point, Melissa’s cousin pointed out that they missed Kathy.
“Yes, and we are all about, you know, family and screw the show. This has nothing to do with the show. It’s truly about Joe having a cousin that’s now gonna live across the street from him,” she stated.
As for how she and Joe found out about their new neighbor, Melissa confirmed they were in a bidding war of sorts.
“There was a lot for sale. It’s on the lake, so he came home, and he goes, ‘This went up yesterday. I am going to bid full price … It’s on the lake. This never happens,’” Melissa recalled. “So Joe offered full price for the property, which was pretty high. Full price, but I guess Kathy had already, we didn’t know it was Kathy, had an in with whoever the previous owner was. She’s loved that house ’cause it was a knockdown kind of house. She’s loved it forever. She already had an in with the realtor and was already making a deal.”
When Jeff, 54, then wondered if their close proximity could lead to a reunion, Melissa noted, “It would be [weird] not to … It’s a first cousin and her mother’s still here and doing well, so I just, you know, Joe’s aunt. I don’t know. That’s sad to me that whole thing.”
Continuing on, Jeff suggested Melissa take the step of congratulating the Wakiles on their new home and encouraging a reconciliation.
“I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna do it,” she vowed. “It is what I want for [Joe], and I think deep down inside, he wants it too … Joe’s an emotional guy. He wears his heart on his sleeve. He, you know, it’s hard. He comes from a place where he feels like he has to please. He felt like he had to please people his whole life and you know, you never know what people, how people grew up or what went on in life.”
The Real Housewives of New Jersey season 14 airs on Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo.
