‘I should’ve walked away from Bravo five years ago’ – Teresa Giudice breaks down over betrayal, tax ambush, and claims she was “thrown to the wolves” as she prepares to exit RHONJ after 18 seasons - suong

Teresa Giudice has finally broken her silence. In the latest episode of her podcast Turning the Tables, the longtime face of The Real Housewives of New Jersey admitted she is seriously thinking about walking away from the show that’s defined her for nearly 18 seasons. But it’s not because she’s tired of the drama — it’s because, in Teresa’s own words, she “no longer feels safe under the Bravo umbrella.”

The breaking point came after her explosive interview on WGN Chicago in June, when Teresa was ambushed with a live question about her $3 million in overdue taxes — right in the middle of promoting an event. Within minutes, she ripped off her earpiece and walked off set. But what stayed with fans wasn’t the dramatic exit, it was the stunned, wounded look on her face — the face of a single mother trying to keep everything afloat after years of chaos caused by her ex-husband and a failing management team.

On her podcast, Teresa revealed she had “begged for a season off” as early as 2021 after marrying Luis Ruelas, but the network gave her radio silence. A source close to production confirmed to DailyMail+ that Teresa had sent emails to Bravo asking them to stop exploiting her personal financial situation — particularly the issues she’s still working through legally. Instead, she felt like the network “threw her to the wolves” for clicks, allowing producers to manipulate her story before she was even ready to tell it.

Following the WGN incident, Teresa said she had to seek legal advice and nearly issued a cease-and-desist letter over the breach of pre-interview agreements. “We specifically told them no tax questions,” she explained on-air. “They agreed to it. And then they blindsided me. That’s not journalism. That’s just betrayal.”

Teresa shared that she has since overhauled her legal and accounting teams and is now working with a “top-tier accounting firm.” She said she’s not hiding anything — and she’s not playing the victim. “I want to do everything right. I want to pay what I owe. But unfortunately, I trusted the wrong people, and I’m the one paying the price for that now,” she admitted.

She also revealed she’s sold off multiple Birkin bags, a Rolex, and even her old wedding ring to get through the roughest patches.

When asked about ex-husband Joe Giudice, who currently lives in the Bahamas, Teresa didn’t hold back. “He doesn’t send a dime for the kids. No child support. Nothing. Luis is amazing, but those four girls are not his responsibility.” It was the first time Teresa publicly criticized Joe since his deportation — and fans took notice.

So where does this leave her and RHONJ?

“I’ve done enough for this show,” she said quietly. “I went to prison. I lost my marriage, my dignity, my peace. And what did I get in return? Not even basic protection from the people I once called my Bravo family. If they don’t start respecting that, I will walk away. And this time, it’ll be my choice — not theirs.”

According to DailyMail+ insiders, Bravo is now in tense negotiations with Teresa’s legal team, fearing she may pull out just as season 15 heads into production. One executive admitted, “If Teresa leaves, we’re looking at a minimum 30% drop in engagement. She’s not just drama — she’s the soul of RHONJ.”

Teresa Giudice may be preparing for her final chapter on Bravo. But if she goes, it won’t be quietly. As she once said herself: “I’ve been pushed to the bottom. But if I walk away from this show, I’ll do it with my head high — with the truth, the scars, and everything I’ve sacrificed to protect my name