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I Am What I Am

Caroline Manzo explains why she didn't hug Danielle at the end of the reunion.

By Caroline Manzo

Hello again! 16 episodes have come and gone, and you’re still with us! For that I’m sending each and every one of you a huge hug! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I’m going to keep this short and sweet. I’m really not interested in going over the whos, whats, whys, and wheres of the reunion. I think it’s all been said before.

I want to address my behavior and how I felt throughout the filming process, and then I’m going to pack up my Season 2 feelings and memories and put them on a shelf where they belong. 

Week after week I watched someone accuse me of bullying, physical threats, stalking, defamation, and God knows what else.  Week after week I watched that very same person do the EXACT thing she was accusing ME of to ME, MY HUSBAND, AND CHILDREN.

The reunion was my time to clear the air. It was my time to call her out on everything she’d said and done. I was at times rude, immature, and overbearing. When the “apology” came along I  knew it was  fake and empty. If I thought for a moment, a millisecond, that there was any sincerity in it I would have accepted it. To accept her apology would have made me a hypocrite.  I meant what I said when I told Jacqueline and Teresa that I hope they can step away from all the drama. That’s all I ever wanted.  For those of you who believe I was angry at J. and T. for hugging her, you have it all wrong. I get why they hugged her -- they wanted to end it. Good for them. I handle things differently. I wanted it to end too, but not on a lie. I’ve said it time and again; at the end of the day all you have is your name and reputation. I’ve been able to keep a pretty good handle on it for 49 years. I’m not about to give it up for “15 minutes” of fame. Whatever I do or say will always be on my terms and no one else’s. So if you think I’m a bitch, so be it. If you think I’m the best thing since sliced bread, thank you. At least I can honestly say I am what I am.

Hope to see you next year....

Xoxo

C.

How to Watch

Watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 14 premiere May 5th at 8/9c on Bravo and stream next day on Peacock.

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