Credit: Instagram
The cast of Next Gen NYC is getting ready for the premiere of their debut season on Bravo, and the drama is already starting—off-screen. Gia Giudice recently stirred up some controversy during a chat on her Casual Chaos podcast, where she and Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dolores Catania discussed an awkward moment with Riley Burruss.
Gia, 24, and Riley, 22—both daughters of well-known Real Housewives stars—are part of the upcoming show Next Gen NYC, which follows the lives of so-called “nepo babies” (celebrity kids) trying to navigate life in the spotlight. The show premieres June 3.
On a recent podcast episode, Gia recalled a moment with Riley, daughter of Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Kandi Burruss, where things got a little tense. Gia said she once told Riley, “I feel like Atlanta and Jersey give the same energy.” According to Gia, Riley didn’t take it well.
“She got really offended by that,” Gia said on the podcast, a clip of which was shared on X by The Gworls Are Fighting. When Dolores asked why, Gia said, “I don’t know… she looked at me and said, ‘No. They’re very different.’ I was like, ‘Okay.’”
Dolores added, “Doesn’t look like that to me,” and Gia responded, “I was surprised, but yeah, she was really offended.” Dolores concluded with a simple, “That’s not nice.”
Gia explained she was just trying to bond with Riley, since both of their moms had been part of the Housewives world. Dolores offered some advice, saying, “Well, right off the bat, that tells you the kind of relationship you’re gonna have with her.”
Fans online were quick to weigh in. Bravo content creator Bingeworthy tweeted, “Never liked Dolores… she’s holding back way more than she says.”
Others chimed in to defend Riley, pointing out the key differences between RHOA and RHONJ. One person tweeted, “#giagiudice see how you in grown folks’ business. #RHOA kids don’t do that. Both are legendary, but not the same. #RHOA was messy, but y’all got families breaking up. How is that the same? #rileyburruss wouldn’t even talk about you on a podcast.”
Still, some supported Gia. One fan wrote, “She wasn’t comparing their moms—just the vibe of the shows. Riley didn’t have to come for her like that. But hey, she is Mama Joyce’s granddaughter.”
