Let's talk about those RHONJ season 15 cast rumors

Bravo finally made some decisions about season 15 of The Real Housewives of New Jersey... Or did they?

OK! Magazine recently published an article alleging that there's been some major changes to the lineup of RHONJ for the upcoming season, but with no official statement from Bravo on the news, it's hard to say whether or not it's accurate or simply speculation. Considering the fact that Andy Cohen had previously said it would be at least the end of 2025 before Bravo announced any big decisions about the show, it's easy to assume that these rumors are coming from an unreliable source.

Who is rumored to be coming back to Bravo for RHONJ season 15?

According to the insider speaking to OK! Magazine, three RHONJ cast members have been contracted by Bravo to come back to the network: Melissa Gorga, Teresa Giudice, and Dolores Catania. Two of them, Melissa Gorga and Dolores Catania, are said to be returning to RHONJ while the insider alleges that Teresa Giudice will instead be given a spin-off instead of coming back to the show that she's been a part of since the first season.

It's the latter part of that rumor that has some fans questioning whether or not this seems like it could be plausible. Since the first season of RHONJ, Teresa Giudice has been a staple among the cast and is easily one of the most recognizable from the season whereas to many fans of the show, Melissa Gorga is just Teresa's sister-in-law and not exactly an RHONJ star in her own right.

Considering the last season ended on such a sour note, it wouldn't be a surprise if Bravo chose to keep only one of them and let go of the other for the upcoming season, but fans aren't convinced that it would be Teresa Giudice that was moved off the show, even if it meant giving her a spin-off show.

Still, the rumors that Teresa Giudice isn't being brought back for RHONJ season 15 aren't new. In August 2024, Frank Catania was on the Lisa Alastuey podcast where he responded to the rumor that Teresa Giudice was leaving the show. According to Frank, said that thought he felt like Bravo would likely change the cast up some, he felt like Teresa is one of the most recognizable Housewives and she would be unlikely to be fired.

At the same time, it wouldn't be the first time that Bravo has turned to a Real Housewives franchise to start a spin-off. Vanderpump Rules has become a hit Bravo show in its own right now, but it started as a spin-off of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, so the idea they might do it again and move Teresa Giudice to a new show instead of bringing her back to RHONJ doesn't seem out of the question.

Here's what RHONJ "friend" Kim DePaola said about the season 15 cast rumors

Kim DePaola, who has appeared on RHONJ in a few different seasons as a friend of the housewives or guest star, spoke to OK! Magazine about the rumors that only three cast members had been kept by Bravo.

According to Kim DePaola, Bravo's contract with the RHONJ cast said that the network had to make a decision on what they were going to do within six months of filming wrapping on the show. Since February 2025 marked the end of that six month period, the network's ties to the cast were severed automatically.

She went on to confirm the original rumor about the fact that three women had been retained by Bravo, either for RHONJ or otherwise after their original contract expired. She told the publication, "Three of the women were given letters by the network to keep them engaged/as a token of good faith to show they're still interested in working with them. This isn't necessarily for RHONJ, but they will be working with three of the women in some capacity going forward."

Without official news from Bravo, it's unclear whether or not this news about the RHONJ cast is real, but Kim DePaola reiterating the same news makes it seem like it might have some weight to it. But, with Andy Cohen saying that Bravo is booked through the end of 2025 and they won't be sharing any RHONJ news until then, it's too soon to say.