Margaret Josephs revealed in March 2026 that she’d opted not to return to “The Real Housewives of New Jersey“ for season 15. Now, in a recent interview, the “RHONJ” alum is doubling down on her beef with Teresa Giudice being the reason for her exit.
Josephs appeared on the “Shut Up Tell Me More” podcast, hosted by Pam Comiter, in May 2026. While on the show, “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” alum was asked why she’s not returning to the series. Notably, the 59-year-old first appeared on the series in 2017 for the show’s eighth season.
In response, she said, “I have said, if you go back to every outlet, podcast, interview I have done since we wrapped filming years ago: I have said if a certain someone is coming back and it’s going down that pipe, it is not good for me. I cannot work with them.”
After that, Josephs stated that this issue isn’t so much about Giudice herself as about the fact that she’s a package deal with her husband, Luis Ruelas. Fans will recall that Josephs’ son previously accused Ruelas of sending him a threatening voicemail.
Josephs Implies Appearing On ‘RHONJ’ Season 14 Was A Mistake
Josephs continued on the podcast, revealing that she feels that agreeing to film season 14 of “RHONJ” wasn’t the best decision for her. According to her, “I made a mistake going back even to my last season. I was told I wasn’t gonna have to be around him, which I wasn’t.”
After that, she went on to say that Giudice and her husband were “still speaking ill of [her], saying they wished suffering on my family, on [her] son.” Josephs then cited when Andy Cohen called what transpired “the darkest moment in ‘Housewives’ history.”
Regarding not returning, she stated, “I made a decision with my family; they had said to me, ‘You cannot go back to that. You can’t put yourself in that position if it’s that environment.”
‘The Real Housewives Of New Jersey’ Fans Are Reacting
“RHONJ” fans are weighing in on what Josephs had to say online. Overall, opinions on the Bravo alum are a bit mixed, with most noting that she’s not innocent in the situation. One person stated, “All of them need to take responsibility for getting too deep and nasty in the gutter. The drama was no longer just a show.”
Someone else wrote, “Not coming back? She wasn’t ASKED back, lol. Move on, pigtails.” A different fan claimed, “She wants us to believe she is taking some moral high road, but it’s hard to believe that someone like Marge is leaving a check bc of a man. Are you letting this man have that much of an impact on your pockets? Girl, please.”
Then, another “RHONJ” fan weighed in, writing, “Margaret did this all to herself. She has an extensive history of digging deep into people’s lives. We saw this with Danielle, Siggy (getting in contact w/ her husband’s ex), Teresa, and even Jen. She didn’t know her but got the info about Bill. She’s a dark person who can’t take it.”
Lastly, a different social media user wrote, “She’s so full of it. She can’t work with Louie, but fails to mention that she started with him. He didn’t ask her to repeatedly communicate with his ex and bring his past onto the show. She poked the wrong bear, and it blew up in her face.”
Margaret Announced A New Podcast
While on “Shut Up Tell Me More,” Josephs announced that she’s planning to start a podcast with her mother, focusing on what sounds like lifestyle and health. She stated, “Her Lexi [a friend] and I decided we’re gonna do a podcast together, the three of us.”
She went on to say that they’re “women of all ages,” before noting that her mother is nearly 80. Josephs continued, “We decided, you know, we’re three opinionated women. So we are starting a podcast called “Generational Council.”
After that, she revealed that the podcast will be announced officially in the coming weeks.
The ‘Housewives’ Alum Will Be On 2 New Shows
Though Josephs won’t be returning to “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” she’s not hanging up her reality TV hat just yet. Recently, she was seen filming a cameo for E!’s upcoming “The Real Housewives of New York City” offshoot, “The Golden Life.”
She dished to US Weekly about appearing on the show, which films in Florida. According to her, “Maybe I did a little stint in Palm Beach.” Josephs then said, “I was with iconic women that I always love. They’re my friends. I admire them.”
Regarding the upcoming series, the Bravo alum stated, “I think that’s going to be a very spectacular show. I think it’s going to be a really spectacular show.” Additionally, Josephs is one of several reality stars cast for Prime Video’s upcoming “Reality Retreat.”
