Teresa Guidice has led, shall we say, a full lifesince we met her in season one ofBravo-TV's The Real Housewives of New Jersey.She'sbeen a cast member on The Celebrity Apprentice, written several best-selling books, launched her own line of bottled bellinis, become a body-builder, andserved time in prison after pleading guilty to fraud, all while raising four daughters.
How does she do it?Why does she do it? At 8 p.m.Sept.15, you'll have a chance to ask her those questions and more. Guidice is joining three other celebrities from the Real Housewives franchise —Carole Radziwill and Dorinda Medley of New York, and Kelly Dodd of Orange County — for "Celebrity Housewives Live," a moderated chat and Q&A session with the audience at bergenPAC in Englewood. A portion of all ticket sales and VIP meet-and-greet packages benefit the Paterson nonprofit OASIS-A Haven for Women and Children. In advance of the event, we got to ask the legend of living out loud some questions of our own.
What questions are you asked most often?
I always get asked about yoga, and my love for it. How I got in shape, what I do to stay in shape, what I eat, my fitness regimen. People are always interested in my physical appearance.
What questions do you like to answer the most?
I like to answer questions about my daughters. Everyone loves my daughters. They've seen them grow up on the show.
Why did you want to participate in thebergenPAC event?
I love going off to different cities and meeting my fans, and the best thing about this eventis that it helps a charity in Paterson. Paterson is my hometown.
How would you describe yourself to someone who hasn't met you?
I think everyone knows everything about me from TV. Though obviously, you can’t judge a book by its cover. You haveto get to know me. I'm very family-oriented, nurturing and adventurous, but low-key with friends. I'm not outspoken, really, but if I need tospeak up, I do. I'm notconfrontational. I'm a loyal friend. I care about women being empowered, and knowing their self-worth.
What were you like as a child?
I’ve always been very outgoing andfriendly, and had a lot of friends.
What did you think you wanted to be when you grew up?
When I was little, I wanted to be on TV. And I loved fashion. I went to college for marketing management in fashion. I was abuyer for Macy's, then a sales rep for Calvin Klein and Nine West. I worked right up to the week before I gave birth to Gia.I wanted to go back to work, butthen my mom ended up getting a job, and I didn’t want to leave Gia with a stranger. So, I stayed home and raised kids.
Is there anything you want to accomplish that you haven't done yet?
I used to talk about that when I started my TV show. They'd ask: Where do you see yourself five years from now? But now I don't talk about that. You neverknow what’s going to happen in life.
What are your hopes for your own kids? What do you want for them?
I will support them in whatever makes them happy. My oldest wants to get into law...because of what happened to [my husband] Joe and me. Everything happens for a reason.I’m just grateful to have four beautiful, healthy daughters.
What do viewers think they know from seeing you on TV that isn't true?
You see the glamour, but not the runs to Target to pick up school supplies. People make assumptions. They make examples of you. I mean, everyone's nice to me when they see me — It’s the people who sit behind computers and type who say mean things.
If a movie weremade out of your life, which actress would you like to play you?
There will definitely be a movie made out of my life. I haven't thought about who they'll pick, but I'm dying to see who it will be.
What are your favorite things about New Jersey? Least favorite?
My kids love the Jersey shore, and I love being close to New York. The weather is my least favorite thing; I don’tlike that there are four seasons. I would love to move to California. New Jersey is where I grew up, but would I want to live here the rest of my life? No.
More:Real Housewives of New Jersey Danielle Staub files restraining order against husband
More:'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star Teresa Giudice has bankruptcy case dismissed
More:RHONJ: Teresa Giudice's husband expected to be deported to Italy
