Worse Than The Giudices? Joe And Melissa Gorga’s 28 Darkest Secrets & Scandals Revealed

Bullied: Melissa wrote in her book that she was beat up in school when her family moved to Florida. She said one day her nose was bloodied by a schoolmate who suspected she was messing around with her boyfriend. Melissa denied it.

The Bald Truth: On a 2013 RHONJ episode in which Joe Gorga got into a brawl with brother-in-law Joe Giudice, Gorga’s hair-raising secret came out—he doesn’t have much! Giudice complained about being covered with “black tar” after grappling with Gorga, who later admitted he’d been using spray in a can to cover his bald spots.

Shoplifting: Melissa spilled lots of secrets in her book Love Italian Style, including that she had a brush with the law as a teenager. While out shopping with a friend, “I put on a $19 sweater at a store. Even though I had enough money to cover it in my wallet, I walked out with the sweater on.” A store employee caught Melissa. She appeared in court, but was only ordered to pay a fine.

Christening Crisis: During the third RHONJ season, Melissa’s feud with her sister-in-law Teresa Giudice incited a riot after the christening for Gorga’s son. Melissa was furious when Teresa showed up late for the baptism. Later, the women shouted at each other at the christening party and Melissa’s husband Joe went berserk, resulting in an all-out brawl with various family men.

Sister Versus Sister-in-Law: In one of their many conflicts, Melissa shouted at Teresa Giudice, “Don’t ever get in between my marriage!” after Teresa told Melissa’s husband, her brother Joe, that Melissa would leave him for a wealthier man.

Gorgas Vs. Giudices: The two RHONJ power couples and in-laws have been feuding for years, a fact Bravo has exploited to the hilt. Most of the trouble comes from Teresa Giudice resenting her sister-in-law Melissa for allegedly keeping her brother Joe Gorga from staying close to her.

I’ll Drink To That!: Melissa was accused of having worked as a stripper, and she denied it. However, it later came out her pre-Bravo past included working as a bartender in a gentleman’s club. Melissa confirmed that during college, she had tended bar at Lookers Gentleman's Club in Elizabeth, N.J., wearing, “a tank top, shorts and sneakers.”

Potty Trained: In one of her most cringe-worthy disclosures, Melissa claimed in her memoir, Love Italian Style, that she never lets her husband Joe know that she does a #2. She wrote, “Girls don’t poop. Me, never have. Never will. It just doesn’t happen. Or, that’s what Joe thinks! We’ve been married for nine years, and he has never once seen or smelled my business. How have I pulled this off? I don’t do it when he’s around or awake. In an emergency, I have my ways of pooping so he won’t hear, smell, or see. It’s a challenge.”

Salary Secret: In 2013, it was reported that Melissa earns a $300,000 per season for RHONJ.

Marriage Revelations: In her controversial book Love Italian Style, Melissa explained her insights into having a hot, happy marriage. She wrote that her marriage to Joe was rocky at the start because he expected certain things from her to feel respected -- and she balked at giving in to his demands. But later Melissa realized if she treated Joe like a king he would treat her like a queen. Feminists cried foul.

Book Controversy: Melissa’s book Love Italian Style received scathing reviews. In 2013, Amazon.com revealed readers gave the book a rating of 2 stars or less. Also, critics charged that the memoir-cum-advice book tore down women and even advocated marital rape, as Melissa wrote, “Every girl wants to get her hair pulled once in a while. If your wife says ‘no,’ turn her around, and rip her clothes off.” Melissa claimed it was all taken out of context.

Sex, Gorga Style: In their season three RHONJ introduction, Melissa and Joe revealed the Italian Stallion has a high sex drive. He talked about releasing the poison in his body by having sex with Melissa and said his penis is named Tarzan.

Plastic Surgery?: Melissa is one of the most beautiful Bravolebrities, but has she had help from the surgeon’s knife? According to her ex-boyfriend Bryan Bowen, Melissa got breast implants while they were dating. Bowen tweeted to one of his followers, “You wanna laugh I found out some guy paid 4 those while we were together lol she told me her mother paid I even took her 2 Drs.” Rumors have also run rampant about a nose job; Melissa has denied getting her nose fixed.

Who’s The Real Stripper?: While Melissa denied RHONJ rumors that she’d been a stripper, it turned out her husband Joe was the one who’d taken it off for cash! “You know what, I had a g-string. It looked like it was an elephant,” Joe said on the 2012 Bravo reunion show. Joe explained that he had stripped in college and made nearly $2,000 per week.

Car Chase: Joe was reportedly involved in a car chase near his New Jersey home in 2014 after he and wife Melissa allegedly became upset after discovering a reporter scoping out their home. A source claimed to Rumorfix that Joe “got in his car and proceeded to chase the reporter and attempt to chase him off the road.” No charges have been filed.

Riches To Rags: When her father Anthony Marco passed away, Melissa revealed in her autobiography, she, her sisters and mother were left impoverished. “All of my father’s money was tied up in the properties that he had bought to develop,” she wrote in the book. “There was no life insurance. No college fund. Hardly any savings.” Marrying Joe Gorga and appearing on RHONJ has apparently changed all that!