Margaret Josephs Announces Departure from Real Housewives of New Jersey
In a significant shake-up for the reality television world, Margaret Josephs has confirmed her exit from Real Housewives of New Jersey after seven seasons. The 58-year-old entrepreneur shared the news in an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday, explaining that the decision stems from a desire to focus more on her family and personal projects.
Timing and Reasons Behind the Exit
Josephs revealed that she had been in discussions with the network and executive producer Andy Cohen since December, ultimately deciding that the timing was right for her departure. "A lot of things have changed in my life," she stated. "I've been blessed to work on a different project – I'm on the set right now. And I realized I have to spend more time with my family, work on my designing, and just take a break and move on."
This announcement comes as a surprise to many fans, as Josephs was reportedly involved in test filming with potential new cast members in recent months. Bravo has been attempting to retool and reboot the show for over a year, following its hiatus after season 14, which concluded in 2024.
Other Cast Changes and New Ventures
Jennifer Aydin, who joined the series just one year after Josephs, indicated last year that she had likely been let go. In October, she told fans, "I've heard they are test filming. And I wasn't invited to BravoCon. So by the looks of it, I think it's safe to say, probably not." Aydin has since launched her own podcast, while Josephs is filming a new reality series for Amazon.
According to reports, this untitled Amazon series will feature a star-studded lineup including Real Housewives of Atlanta alums Kenya Moore and Kim Zolciak, along with other notable personalities like Brittany Cartwright and the Chrisley family. The show is described as a spin on Bravo's Girls Trip franchise with an Eat, Pray, Love twist.
Tributes and Reactions from Co-Stars
Tributes have poured in for Josephs following her announcement. Fellow RHONJ star Melissa Gorga wrote, "Your one liners were my favorite part of the show. I completely understand this decision. Your next chapter will be a fantastic one and I can't wait to see what's next for you." Newcomer Danielle Cabral added, "To me, you were the GOAT. You went out with the greatest mic drop of all time."
Even Andy Cohen himself responded, saying, "No thank YOU. What a ride. Also I LOVE your house and taste - always and forever."
Future of Real Housewives of New Jersey
The future of Real Housewives of New Jersey remains uncertain. Filming for the fifteenth season has not yet begun, and it is unclear whether key stars like Melissa Gorga and original cast member Teresa Giudice will return. The franchise faced significant challenges due to a feud between Gorga and Giudice, which escalated to the point where they could not film together by the end of season fourteen.
However, there is a silver lining: Giudice has since reconciled with her brother Joe and sister-in-law Melissa. "Things are in a good place," Giudice said. "I talked to my brother, first because I thought that was only right. He was really happy to see me. I was happy to see him… I want him in my life. I want his wife in my life, my sister-in-law, my niece, and nephews in my life. Like, that's the most important thing."
Meanwhile, other cast members are exploring new opportunities. Dolores Catania has joined the upcoming Real Housewives of Rhode Island as a supporting cast member. It is worth noting that RHONJ is not the only franchise on pause; Bravo has also recently paused The Real Housewives of Miami, and The Real Housewives of New York was paused for a year before resuming filming for its next season.
