A heart shaped lock drawn in pink and purple lines

Bravo Insider Exclusive

To read this article, you must have a Bravo subscription.

The Daily Dish The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Melissa Gorga Defends Her Social Media Following Amid Chanel Ayan's Questioning

The RHONJ cast member revealed what "annoys" her about the accusation that she bought Instagram followers.

By Shannon Raphael

Melissa Gorga's social media following is on display... just ask Chanel Ayan.

How to Watch

Watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey on Peacock and the Bravo app.  

In case you missed it, The Real Housewives of Dubai cast member recently questioned Melissa's high Instagram following count, which is currently at 2.8 million followers. "Did she buy them?" Ayan appeared to write in an Instagram comment, per Reality Blurb.

Melissa later addressed the remark on the July 11 episode of her podcast, On Display

"She's talking about my followers and the fact that I have so many more followers than a lot of the Housewives, and much more than a lot of my cast members, and she's questioning that," Melissa explained to her husband, Joe Gorga, on the podcast. "And what annoys me about that is, you know, I built this platform off of authenticity, off of showing you guys my real life. And if you're going to come at me about my honesty or my authenticity, it's just something that's been here from Day 1 for me..."

Here's What You May Have Missed on Bravo:

The RHODubai Cast Rocked Lavish Looks at Chanel Ayan's Dinner: "Come as a Queen"

Kathy Wakile Reacts to Melissa Gorga Wanting to Be Friends Again: "Very Convenient"

Joe Gorga Emotionally Reflects on His Rift with Teresa: "I'm Not Gonna Be There"

As for how she grew her follower count, Melissa said, "At some point, I think I should get a little credit for being good at what I do, and that when you give relatable content, the followers come."

“I would never come at anybody because they had a lot of followers, and assume that they did something wrong to get them,” The Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member said about the accusation that she bought some of her Instagram followers. “I know Chanel’s not a weak-minded individual. She’s a tough, strong woman. I’ve seen her on the show.”

A split of Melissa Gorga and Chanel Ayan.

Melissa Gorga reveals where she stands with Chanel Ayan

Melissa went on to note that she's not exactly sure why Ayan was throwing shade at her online. 

"She just wants to mention my name, when I have no idea why. I don't approach her, I don't follow her, I don't know her..." Melissa continued on her podcast. "It's actually really confusing for me to figure out why she's doing this."

"I don't play in the mud. I don't randomly call out other Housewives on other franchises for absolutely no reason..." she said about Ayan. "It's not my style, it's not what I do."

However, Melissa is open to getting to know Ayan on a deeper level in the future. 

“She’s snarky and I think she’s great at what she does. So I don’t… really get it," she said. "So hit me up, girl, if you ever want to talk, because I’m confused."

Watch new episodes of The Real Housewives of New Jersey on Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo, and catch new episodes of The Real Housewives of Dubai on Tuesdays at 9/8c on Bravo. Stream both shows the next day on Peacock. 

Want the latest Bravo updates? Text us for breaking news and more!