Melissa Gorga Has Made Changes at Home After Filming *Wife Swap: Real Housewives Edition*
Melissa Gorga has made some noticeable changes in her household since filming *Wife Swap: Real Housewives Edition*. The *Real Housewives of New Jersey* star traded her spotless, monochromatic home in Franklin Lakes for a vibrant-colored residence in Georgia — a home where cleaning and organization take a backseat.
“I had a little anxiety and I understood as soon as I got there why they picked this family to swap with me,” Melissa told Decider when asked about her initial thoughts upon entering the Clark household.
## A Different Approach to Chores and Family Life
The Clarks’ view on chores wasn’t the only adjustment Melissa had to make during the swap. In her own home, Melissa juggles multiple businesses while handling all the cooking and cleaning, as her husband, Joe Gorga, works outside the home. On the other hand, Michelle and Sean Clark — who appeared on *The Amazing Race* Season 36 — share all household responsibilities and run their double-dutch aerobics company together as a family.
Melissa admitted she was “in shock” at how much Sean pitches in. Since returning from the swap, she’s even started asking more of Joe. “I went home, and I was like, ‘Joe, what do you do? You go to work. I’m gonna need you to do more,’” Melissa said cheekily. “He’s been washing the dishes. That’s an update. So yeah, he washes dishes now.”
## No Construction Site Jobs for Melissa
While Melissa has embraced some aspects of the Clarks’ lifestyle, one thing she’s certain about is never wanting to work alongside her husband on a construction site, as Michelle did while in New Jersey.
“I could never. Honestly, I always say Joe goes into work mode from six in the morning until six at night. Even if you call him, he’s like a different person,” she explained. “I cannot when he’s in work mode. He’s a totally different person when he’s home than when he’s at work, so it’s not good for us to work together.”
## On Phaedra Parks’ Cameo and Angie Katsanevas Episode
During her visit to the Decider studio, Melissa also revealed how Phaedra Parks’ cameo on *Wife Swap* came to be, what she hoped to see from Angie Katsanevas’ episode, and her thoughts on reconnecting with sister-in-law Teresa Giudice.
Melissa shared that Phaedra’s appearance was a fun surprise and that she wished to see more from Angie’s storyline. Regarding Teresa, who recently reached out to Joe to talk, Melissa said:
“Obviously, it would never work unless it’s everyone. It just doesn’t work without the full family. I think that’s just a given. We’ll see what happens. I’m Team Family. I’ll always be Team Family.”
She added, “For me, whatever would make Joe happy, and if Joe feels relief from this in any way, then I am on board for my husband and for my kids, most importantly. And for myself. I don’t believe in holding hate and resentment and anger. That doesn’t equal a good life.”
Melissa hopes that “everyone reaches a place of peace and happiness, and that everyone is back on *The Real Housewives of New Jersey*.”
## Behind the Scenes: Living the Real Housewives Life
Melissa reflected on the glam expectations that came with the swap. On her chore list for Michelle, she included “get glam every day,” which she admitted she does often but not daily.
“I don’t do it every day, but I do it often. If I’m going to do anything, obviously for camera, for TV, or if I’m shooting content… a lot of the time, if I’m shooting content, then I have glam that day,” Melissa said. She also joked, “I can do my own glam pretty well, by the way.”
Michelle apparently enjoyed the taste of Real Housewives life, especially shopping at Envy and taking home cute dresses, bags, and shoes.
## Joe’s New Roles at Home
Melissa was surprised to learn that Joe has never changed one of their kids’ diapers. Sean’s help during the swap was eye-opening for her, and she noted the importance of adults getting time to themselves to grow professionally and mentally.
About Joe’s efforts, she quipped, “He’s been washing the dishes. That’s an update. So yeah, he washes dishes now. I think he changed Gino’s diaper once. He put it on backwards. The tape was going the wrong direction.”
She also joked about Joe’s attempt to put a diaper on their dog — and how hilariously that went.
## Embracing the Lighter Moments
Melissa recounted a funny moment when Joe, during a backyard double dutch session, had his hat tilted to the side and pant leg rolled up, exclaiming his love for Michelle.
“I was like, ‘What are you wearing? What is happening?’” Melissa laughed. “He just likes to be free because I’m obviously going to be like, ‘Pull your pant down, straighten your hat.’”
Despite missing each other, Joe seemed to enjoy that brief moment of letting loose.
## What’s Next for Melissa Gorga?
Having appeared on *The Real Housewives of New Jersey*, *Ultimate Girls Trip*, and *Wife Swap*, Melissa shared her next TV aspirations.
“I was just on *The Weakest Link* and I did really good with that. *Family Feud* was on my bucket list. I just filmed that with Sydney Sweeney. I’m very excited to have her as an opponent. That airs in December, so I’m excited,” Melissa revealed.
She also expressed interest in shows like *Housewives All-Stars* and *The Traitors*, though she admitted that disconnecting from the outside world for weeks, as *The Traitors* requires, would be a challenge.
“I still have a 15-year-old at home. I’m not at the point where I could really disconnect. And I run businesses, so I think I would have an anxiety attack,” she said. “I can handle that show all day long… I just don’t know if I could put the phone down and have no contact with the outside world for three weeks.”
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*This interview has been edited for length and clarity.*
https://decider.com/2025/10/27/wife-swap-real-housewives-edition-melissa-gorga-interview/
