This Is Why Danielle Staub Surprised Andy Cohen with Her RHONJ Departure Announcement

Danielle Staub made a big announcement on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Wednesday (January 9) when she confirmed that she was leaving The Real Housewives of New Jersey... and how she phrased the news surprised Andy Cohen when she added, "And so I will be never returning as a Housewife again.”

Andy's response? "Never. Wow... I didn't know you were going to say the word never."

Well, never, but with a restriction:  "Nope, never returning as a Housewife again... with the Jersey girls.”

He was amused by that caveat: "Oh, OK. So you're open to New York, or something like that... that's amazing."

Danielle noted that she was leaving to pursue other passions like the prospect of starting her own cooking channel. “Well, I have, over the past 12 years and 10 seasons, been a part of this whole franchise, and I’ve been very happy to rally and stand on the platform and be here with all of you, but it is time for me to leave and do something that I want to do that makes my heart happy every day," she said on Wednesday's WWHL.

Danielle Staub's Season 1 Real Housewives of New Jersey Tagline Still Applies in 2019

Danielle joined RHONJ in Season 1 along with Caroline Manzo, Jacqueline Laurita, Teresa Giudice, and Dina Manzo and she exited after Season 2.

She returned to hang with the Garden State crew again several years later in Seasons 8 and 9 and has appeared on the most current Season 10 as a friend.

You can check out highlights from the RHONJ Season 10 After Show, below.