So, This Is Why Jacqueline Laurita Left Her ‘RHONJ’ Days Behind

Drama, drama, drama! Usually, episodes of Bravo’s Real Housewives franchise are full of theatrics, but in Jacqueline Laurita‘s case, she just wasn’t feeling the pressure to deliver. The Real Housewives of New Jersey regular was a staple in Seasons 1-5, but was demoted in Season 6 to a “friend of the Housewives.” But it was the fallout from Season 7 that really helped Jacqueline — a mom-of-three — make a concrete decision about her role on the show.

That’s why the Franklin Lakes native announced that she won’t be coming back for Season 8. “Unfortunately, I will not be returning,” she told Entertainment Tonight. “I think the feeling [from the network] is that I no longer have an authentic connection with two of the season’s cast members.”

Melissa Gorga, Teresa Giudice, and Jacqueline Laurita posing together. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Season 7 saw Jacqueline sever ties with co-stars Teresa Giudice — who has accused her of leaking the Giudice family’s criminal activity to the feds — and Melissa Gorga. “I think they feel I no longer fit in with the group,” she continued. With Jacqueline on the outs, Bravo allegedly attempted to make a deal with her, claiming that if she brought the drama — “depending on how my story unfolded and if I meshed with the group,” the 47-year-old said — she could stay on the payroll.

But Jacqueline admitted she wasn’t interested. It was the feeling of having to prove herself (again) that ultimately shaped her decision to part ways with Bravo and the rest of the New Jersey Housewives.

“I just felt that after being on the show for seven years and putting my time and everything into that, to not have a confirmed full-time decision, with that feeling that I had to kind of tryout again, it just didn’t feel right,” she confessed.

And for those who might be wondering what role salary played in her decision to leave, Jacqueline revealed money wasn’t even a topic of discussion. “No, we didn’t even talk money. We didn’t even get that far!”