‘Real Housewives Of New Jersey’ Casting Rumors: Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga, Jacqueline Laurita And More Confirm Their Return In Season 7

A new season of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” is coming and big changes are on the horizon. Bravo announced the starting lineup for the Season 7 cast on Monday, along with a few details about the reality show.

According to the Bravo Daily Dish, “RHONJ” will bring back several longtime cast members and reintroduce some old favorites. Following months of speculation, Teresa Giudice, who was just released from house arrest on Friday, Feb. 5, has confirmed her return to the series alongside sister-in-law and fellow longtime “Housewives” star Melissa Gorga. The publication reports that the duo will spend much of the season trying to pick up the pieces of their broken relationship following Teresa’s prison stint. Jacqueline Laurita, who left the show ahead of Season 6, will also rejoin the cast. The mother of three joked that one season off was all she needed to get her head back in the game.

“I’m baaaaack! I can’t get enough of my Bravo family!” Laurita said. “Sometimes a little break is all I need to jump back in and bring my best! Looking forward to new beginnings. XOXO.”

As reported in December, “RHONJ” producers were forced to cut the budget for the show in half due to low ratings for the October special “The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Teresa Checks In.” Still, OK! magazine reported that Teresa, 43, and her co-stars will make bank off the series. The publication reported that she’ll be paid around $1 million for her participation, while Melissa, 36, is reportedly getting $750,000. Sources claimed Teresa and Melissa have secured their spots on the cast and locked down their pay, though there was no confirmation of that. OK! reported that Jacqueline, 45, was being offered the same amount as Melissa but was reluctant to accept. Sources said she was holding out for more money.

While it’s anyone’s guess what potential newcomers will be rounding out the “RHONJ” cast, it has been made very clear who won’t be returning. In November, Amber Marchese, who made a splash during her Season 6 debut, announced she would no longer participate. Amber released a statement via Us Weekly in which she said she and her husband no longer felt that “RHONJ” aligned with their values. She told Us she put on a nasty front during her one season, adding that that is not who she really is “on any level.”

Bravo has not yet announced when “RHONJ” will return for Season 7. It was rumored that the show began filming in December, though there has been no confirmation of that.