The early seasons of the Real Housewives of New Jersey featured Caroline Manzo, and fans quickly fell in love with strong and hilarious Caroline and her family: husband Albert, sons Christopher and Albie, and daughter Lauren. They seemed like a wonderful, close family who truly enjoyed hanging out together, even if they get on each other's nerves sometimes, and fans got to catch up with the Manzos in the spin-off reality series Manzo'd With Children.
Caroline's time on the series meant fights with Teresa Giudice and drama with her sister Dina Manzo. Fans have been wondering recently if Teresa wants Caroline to return to RHONJ, and it would definitely be interesting, as many former cast members have left. It's fun and nostalgic to look back on how the season 1 cast has changed, and all these years later, fans are curious about Caroline Manzo leaving RHONJ. Let's take a look at why she left.
Why Did Caroline Leave?
Caroline's sister Dina Manzo left RHONJ after season 6 and Caroline said goodbye once she had completed five seasons of the reality show.
Caroline felt that it was time to go and according to E! News, she also said that she wanted life to be peaceful and that she couldn't stay on such an intensely dramatic series.
Caroline wrote in a statement, "Going back to film another season of Housewives would only make me a hypocrite. For me, peace and integrity cannot be bought with money or fame. I practice what I preach, and as I said on the reunion, I'm done. I simply feel that my role has run its course and I have nothing more to give."
Season 1 of RHONJ saw Caroline dealing with her kids and their futures, as Lauren pursued cosmetology and Albie was going to college. In the fourth episode, Caroline began talking about a book about Danielle called Cop Without a Badge. Suddenly rumors began flying all over New Jersey and Danielle's past was often what the housewives were discussing.
Caroline also said that when she began working on the series, her husband told her, "Just be yourself and have fun with it." Caroline said that while she was once proud of it, she no longer felt that way: "Over the past few years my outlook on the show has changed from something I couldn't wait to show my future grandchildren to something I hope my future grandchildren never see. I've always prided myself on being a good example for my children."
Caroline explained that when she knew it was time to quit RHONJ, it was because she was listening to what she would tell her kids: "'Be true to yourself and be proud of who you are, you are born with a name and you die with a name, don't dirty it up.'"
Caroline also said a bit more about choosing to quit the show. She said, "the burden became too heavy in my personal life," according to Bravotv.com.
Caroline continued, "You can’t work with something that doesn’t reflect your beliefs and the show became something that just didn’t reflect my beliefs of who I was as a person. It’s not about the money. It’s not about the fame. It’s about your moral compass and how you live.”
Season 10
Fans of RHONJ might have seen Caroline in season 10... but she decided not to return. It sounds like she would have been in a kind of "friend" role and it wouldn't be the same as it once was. While it's always fun to see former cast members come back, it's understandable that someone would want to return in the same capacity.
According to People, Caroline appeared on Albie's Dear Albie podcast and said Sirens Media, the production company responsible for RHONJ, had asked her a few weeks prior if she wanted to return to the show. Caroline said that staff members told her it would be a part-time position as they would look at how she "fit in" with the other cast members. Then, if things went well, maybe it could be a larger position.
Caroline didn't like this and said on the podcast, "It’s very insulting. It just makes me angry that you picked up and call me like I’m a fool. Ten years I’m playing this game, there’s no fool. You are talking to no fool. … I’m nobody’s ‘Friend.’ I’m not ‘Friend of’. I’m not ‘Housewife, maybe.’ I’m Housewife!”
Manzo'd With Children aired for three seasons and fans got a deeper look at Caroline, her husband, and her kids. According to People, Caroline was very touched when the show ended and fans wrote super positive messages about how much they enjoyed the episodes.