‘RHONJ’ star Jackie Goldschneider reveals what she really thinks about being a ‘friend of’ this season

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Jackie Goldschneider has made great strides along her journey of eating-disorder recovery since joining The Real Housewives of New Jersey, but she was the first to recognize going into filming for Season 13 that more time to focus on recovery could do her wonders.

So, after four seasons as a main cast member on RHONJ, Jackie took on a friend role this year. While it’s more of a technicality than anything (viewers can expect to see her at all group events and on all of the cast trips), the distinction provided her with a less intense filming schedule that allowed her more time and space to continue the recovery-aiding therapy she needed.

“I’m really so appreciative of them,” she said of Bravo in a recent interview with People. “The fact that they understood where I was coming from and were willing to work with me on this so that I could remain a part of the show and still prioritize my health was such a gift. At every turn, they told me how important I was to the show. They never made me feel unvalued. I’m just so grateful.”

For the latest episode of In The Know by Yahoo’s pop culture interview series We Should Talk, Jackie opened up about her different role this season and how it affects her relationships with the three new additions to the cast, what her current thoughts on the Melissa Gorga and Teresa Giudice feud are and what else fans can expect from Season 13 of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. She also opened up about her forthcoming book, The Weight of Beautiful (out Sept. 26), and her decision to write it without a ghostwriter.

“In the very beginning it was awkward, if I was being honest. At the beginning, I don’t think anyone knows what their role really is. Anything can change. They looked at me as a threat, and I looked at them as a threat. Danielle [Cabral] decided she didn’t like me right from the jump, so whatever. I don’t really care about that. I also know that I stand alone, and my job is not dependent on them having their jobs. I don’t look at them as competition, so I was fine with them,” Jackie told ITK. “I will fully admit that I was like, ‘What am I doing?’ at the beginning. Listen, it is an ego hit. It’s weird. It feels bad to suddenly take a dip.”

Watch In The Know’s full interview with Jackie Goldschneider below, and tune in to The Real Housewives of New Jersey on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET only on Bravo:

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