Real Housewives of New Jersey Star Announces Exit From Series in Major Cast Shakeup Ahead of Series Reboot

After seven seasons, it's a wrap for Margaret Josephs on The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

via: Daily Mail

The entrepreneur, 58, shared the news in an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday, citing the need to spend more time with her family.

'I've been in talks with the network and Andy [Cohen] since December and we've discussed it and I think the timing is right,' she explained.

'A lot of things have changed in my life. 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.'

The news has come as a shock to many, as Daily Mail understands that Josephs was one of the key RHONJ stars who had been test filming with potential new cast members in recent months for the show's rumored reboot.

Bravo has been trying to retool and reboot the show for more than a year after putting it on hiatus following season 14, which ended in 2024.

Jennifer Aydin, who joined RHONJ just one year after Josephs, also indicated that she'd been let go from the series last year.

'A lot of you have been asking me if I'm still on the [show] or not. I can honestly say that nobody has told me anything,' she said to fans in October.  

'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. And that's okay. I'm good,' she continued.

'Maybe that's how they fire people these days, just moving on without telling the person. Maybe it's awkward for them. I don't know.'

Aydin has since started her own podcast, while Josephs is filming a star-studded new reality series for Amazon.

According to Us Weekly, the as-yet-untitled series will also feature Real Housewives of Atlanta alums Kenya Moore and Kim Zolciak, along with The Valley's Brittany Cartwright, Savannah and Julie Chrisley, and many more famous faces.

The show has been described as 'basically a spin on Bravo’s Girls Trip franchise' but with an 'Eat, Pray, Love' twist. 

Tributes have poured in for Josephs since she announced her exit, with fellow RHONJ star Melissa Gorga writing, '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.'

RHONJ newcomer Danielle Cabral wrote, 'Whaaaa? Why am I always the last to know?! To me, you were the GOAT. You went out with the greatest mic drop of all time. Love you! Enjoy the peace.'

Jen Fessler commented, 'Thank you for taking me along on your ride, my dear friend. Being a “friend of” the Marge was an honor and a privilege. Love you so much.'

Even Andy Cohen himself weighed in, with the Bravo bigwig writing, 'No thank YOU. What a ride. Also I LOVE your house and taste - always and forever.'

Real Housewives of New Jersey hasn't started filming its fifteenth season yet and it's unclear if Gorga and original star Teresa Giudice will return for it.

The once beloved franchise originally imploded due to Gorga and Giudice's ongoing feud, which saw the sisters-in-law unable to film with each other by the end of season fourteen.

However, the pair have made amends since the series was put on pause.

'Things are in a good place,' Giudice said when asked about making up with her brother Joe and Melissa.

'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, Dolores Catania has already joined the upcoming Real Housewives of Rhode Island as a supporting cast member.

RHONJ isn't the only Real Housewives to go on pause, with Bravo also recently 'pausing' The Real Housewives of Miami.

The Real Housewives of New York was also just paused for the past year, but cameras are now back up on the show's next season.