The Real Housewives of New Jersey are never boring, making it a huge success on the Bravo network and Caroline Manzo leads the pack, being on the show since the beginning. Manzo also runs a household with husband Albert and three children.
Caroline's brother, Jaime Laurita, and Rich Lane had their civil ceremony filmed for the program last year at their home in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.
We have Caroline in the Windy City just in time for Pride month and she is here to show her support.
Windy City Times: Hi, Caroline. I just watched the episode and it was so emotional that I cried.
Caroline Manzo: It was nice, wasn't it? It was nice to see something inspiring I should say.
WCT: How was it giving that speech at the ceremony?
Caroline Manzo: I was very touched that Jaime asked me to give the speech. I wasn't expecting that. I don't know how much of the speech will be shown on the show, I haven't seen it yet.
I was an older sister watching my younger brother go through the struggles in his life just trying to be who he was and finally seeing him in a place of acceptance and happiness, it spoke to all of that. Of course, it was emotional at times but I don't know what you will see on the show.
WCT: How was your family with Jaime being gay?
Caroline Manzo: The family was amazing. My mom and dad didn't even blink an eye. Their first question was, "Are you happy?" They just wanted him to be happy and it didn't matter. Not one member of my family was skeptical or disappointed in any way, shape, or form.
When we met Rich, he's my brother—just as Jaime. It's all good.
WCT: He's one of the family now.
Caroline Manzo: When you look back over the years and we recall the girlfriends he brought home and I thought to myself how tortured he must have felt about that at that time, knowing who he is, but yet he had to put on façade know what he thought we expected of him such as find a girl, get married, and settle down, the norm if you will.
It is sad to think that there are so many people out there that marry and settle down and fight this inner battle with themselves because they are afraid of the public perception and the cruel comments. That is what I cried for. I spoke about it on the show. I called my husband and cried hysterically. I was worried he would be abused, and he doesn't deserve that. Nobody deserves that. So that is why I cried—because I knew what he was going to have to endure in just being who he was. That broke my heart.
WCT: I'm am glad things got better. There was a nice spotlight on Chicago, with you staying downtown at the Hotel Sax before attending the wedding.
Caroline Manzo: I love Chicago. I've been about four or five times and, unfortunately, every time I go it's a whirlwind trip. I never get to enjoy it the way I would like to. It is usually 24 hours or 48 hours, at best. It is usually for business. The last time I went to visit Jaime was down at his house and you guys had a tornado or something.
WCT: Oh, no! That's Chicago weather for you.
Caroline Manzo: Yeah—his whole front yard was literally blown to bits. Through it all, we had no lights but we were laughing hysterically all night long because we could not believe what was happening when I was there!
WCT: I know he goes out to the gay bars here. Would you go out with him?
Caroline Manzo: Oh, yeah—we did. The time before the hurricane visit we went to a few gay bars. I loved every second of it. We had a blast. We spent the night gay bar-hopping. That's in Boystown?
WCT: Yes, it is.
Caroline Manzo: I loved it!
WCT: I just went to the Ladybug fundraiser that your sister, Dina, does. What projects are you working on?
Caroline Manzo: I have a few projects I am working on that I am not at liberty to talk about just yet. But it is exciting stuff that I am proud of. My focus is my kids. My daughter opens her store. I'm helping her. As a new business owner she has a lot of questions and she is a little nervous about things so I am her sidekick there.
My boys [have] their BLK water. I show up wherever they want me to go. I am trying to help them promote the water so at this point so I am trying to get them all a jumpstart to what they need to do in life.
WCT: I noticed you have a website so people can keep up with that you are doing there.
Caroline Manzo: I have a website that I haven't been taking care of. I have to be honest with you. I have been too busy with this other stuff.
Listen: My life is great, there is nothing I need in this world and right now my focus is on my kids so I don't think about that. I don't think about the website and it is on the back burner. The website needs some cleaning up and updating, I suppose. I will get to it when I get to it. Maybe this is the reason, with you telling me this then I need to look at. [Laughs]
WCT: How far are we into the season this time?
Caroline Manzo: We are on episode five so we have at least ten more I think.
WCT: I met Melissa and Joe Gorga when they were in town. They were so much fun!
Caroline Manzo: You know what? Joe is sunshine. He walks into a room and he lights it up. He reminds me of my Christopher. When they walk into a room it is all smiles and hugs. Let's have fun and be happy.
WCT: I like Melissa's sister, also.
Caroline Manzo: They are nice girls. They always support each other, and it's nice.
Hit the shore with the Jersey Housewives by watching every Sunday night. Check out www.bravotv.com for more details and watch what happens.
