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

Teresa: Why I Called Melissa a Bitch

Plus, Giudice explains why she reacted so strongly when Joe called her "scum."

By Chelsea Brady

We've certainly seen the stars of the Real Housewives of New Jersey fight with their fists, however some of the show's most shocking confrontations have been fought with words. On last night's Watch What Happens Live, Andy Cohen had Teresa Giudice dissect some of the hurtful verbal exchanges that have led to some of the most explosive moments in the show's history.

How to Watch

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

So why exactly did Teresa call Melissa Gorga a "bitch"?

"I was kidding," Giudice explains. "We kid around. My husband and my brother, they always bust each other's chops. Me and Melissa, we don't do it that much, but I mean, a little bit. That's how we are. And hello, you see Richie! He does it all the time."

So why did it sting Teresa so badly when her brother, Joe Gorga, called her "scum" at the retreat? Especially since she was able to forgive her husband for calling her "the c-word" on a controversial episode last seasons? She addressed that question on the After Show, pointing out that Juicy Joe never called her a name to her face (he was speaking on the phone).

"We didn't grow up that way," Teresa says of her brother. "He never spoke to me that way. And my thing is, if a friend says it to you, who cares? Because you forget about it and you can write them off. When your family says something hurtful like that, you forgive but you never forget."

Watch Teresa Giudice explain why she called Melissa a bitch and tell us in the comments: is that the worst thing Teresa has ever said about her sister-in-law?

Teresa's Call to Caroline

Watch Teresa Giudice talk about the memorable "scum" moment and tell us in the comments: why do you think "scum" set her off so badly?

After Show: Teresa Talks "Scum"
Want the latest Bravo updates? Text us for breaking news and more!