Chatter is building that Teresa Giudice's time as a "Housewife" could be nearing an end.
According to Page Six, Teresa's gig is far from bulletproof, and she knows it. This, the report claims, is why she peddled an unsubstantiated rumor that the husband of a "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" castmate was unfaithful.
"She's being watched by the network and needed a story to stir the pot," a source told Page Six.
On the season 11 premiere of the Bravo staple, Teresa said she "heard" that Jackie Goldschneider's husband, Evan, had cheated. The Page Six source, though, contends that Teresa "invented" the rumor to create drama.
"She had zero proof [that he cheated] and made up the story because Bravo has been getting rid of original 'Housewives,'" the source said, adding that Teresa fears she could be next to go. "[She's] too expensive and they can filter through different women. She's desperately trying to stay relevant."
Jackie said the rumor is "baseless" and confronted Teresa about it. "There wasn't even a question about whether he cheated on me. … The only reason I was upset was because of her trying to spread a rumor — not because I ever questioned my husband," Jackie told Page Six.
Teresa's lawyer argued that the mother of four would never create false rumors to force storylines.
"The core principle of reality television is authenticity, and I don't believe there has ever been a more authentic 'Housewife' than Teresa Giudice, and there never will be," said James J. Leonard Jr. "She is without peer in what she and her family have shared with the cameras over the years. When you are as real and authentic as Teresa has been, you don't need to pull stunts or manufacture story to be relevant and that is ridiculous for anyone to suggest otherwise."
Teresa, who seems to be moving fast with her new boyfriend, has been on the show since it premiered in 2009.
"Teresa is the highest paid 'Housewife.' If they get rid of her, it's because they pay her too much and her act is no longer worth it, but she's been a franchise favorite forever," the source said.