Imagine being so protective of your child that you'd quit a grueling reality show just to shield them from harm. That's exactly what Teresa Giudice, the fearless star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, did when she abruptly left Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test—leaving her daughter, Gia Giudice, to face the challenges alone. But here's where it gets emotional: Teresa admits she cried incessantly until Gia returned home, revealing a side of her that even her husband, Louie Ruelas, found startling. 'I just wanted to make sure she was okay,' Teresa confessed, her maternal instincts overpowering her competitive spirit.
The mother-daughter duo initially signed up for the show's fourth season, which pushes celebrities through a grueling military-style selection process. However, moments before Gia was set to face off against soccer legend Christie Pearce Rampone, Teresa made the heart-wrenching decision to withdraw. 'I didn’t want to see my child get hit,' she explained in a Zoom interview with Decider. 'I would’ve jumped in to protect her. I didn’t even want her to see me getting hit. I’ve spent years defending myself on The Real Housewives, and I didn’t want to expose her to that.'
But here's where it gets controversial: While Teresa’s decision was rooted in love, some might argue whether it inadvertently sent a message of overprotection rather than empowerment. Did Teresa shield Gia too much, or was she simply being a devoted mother? Let’s discuss in the comments!
Despite Teresa’s exit, Gia chose to stay, proving her resilience. Yet, Teresa’s worry never waned. 'I cried the entire night in the hotel and on my way to the airport,' she recalled. 'I just wanted to get home to my other kids, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Gia.'
In a lighter moment, Teresa shared her unexpected role as the 'bathroom whisperer' during her time on the show. 'I was happy no one used the bathroom on the first day,' she laughed, admitting she went overboard with cleaning products to make it smell nice. 'I’m a mom of four—cleaning bathrooms is second nature to me!'
When asked about her preparation for the show, Teresa revealed her fear of water activities, as she doesn’t know how to swim. However, the opportunity to bond with Gia motivated her. 'When they suggested we do it together, I couldn’t say no,' she said. 'Gia was so excited, and I knew I had to do this with her.'
Teresa also opened up about the mental and physical challenges of the show, comparing it to the drama of a Real Housewives dinner. 'I’ve been through a lot in my life, so neither gave me PTSD,' she joked. 'But Special Forces definitely pushed me physically in ways I never imagined.'
And this is the part most people miss: Teresa’s experience wasn’t just about survival—it was about self-discovery. 'I feel like I can conquer anything now,' she reflected. 'It taught me I’m stronger than I thought, both mentally and physically.'
As for who she’d nominate for future seasons, Teresa suggested Whitney Rose from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and her own co-stars Jennifer Aydin and Dolores Catania. 'They’d all do great,' she said with a smile.
Teresa’s journey on Special Forces may have been cut short, but her love for Gia and her newfound strength are undeniable. What do you think—did Teresa make the right call, or should she have stayed? Share your thoughts below!
Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test airs Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX, with new episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.
