Danielle, Real Housewives of New Jersey newcomer, sparks mixed reactions

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Danielle Cabral is one of two new Jersey housewives introduced this season — and fans already have strong opinions

Danielle, Real Housewives of New Jersey season 13, Danielle Cabral
Danielle Cabral (Image credit: Andrew Eccles/Bravo)

Two new women joined The Real Housewives of New Jersey season 13, taking over main cast duties from the now demoted to "Friend" Jackie Goldschneider: Rachel Fuda and Danielle Cabral. While both ladies have already dipped their toe into the franchise's signature drama, Danielle in particular is catching fans' attention — in ways both good and bad. 

While the February 21 episode mostly revolves around the RHONJ "Househusbands" and the never-ending family drama between Teresa, Luis, Melissa and Joe, Danielle pops up for a day date with Melissa to learn tricks of the fashion trade from the "Envy by Melissa Gorga" owner (after all, it wouldn't be a housewife's debut season if she didn't launch her side business on national TV), gossip about why she didn't invite Jackie to that mozzarella party last episode and discuss her own family estrangement. 

In parallel with what's been going on in the Gorga-Guidice camp, Danielle tells Melissa how she hasn't spoken to her own brother or sister-in-law for the past two years because he made fun of her Instagram videos (seriously) and she butted into their wedding planning. The RHONJ rookie delved further into the pain of the estrangement later in the episode when her parents came over for an at-home art show featuring the works of Danielle's young daughter. 

Some viewers were moved by Danielle's sibling struggles, with one fan taking to Twitter to write: "Danielle and her family opening up about their family issues and how they struggle with it was really brave and I love how vulnerable they were being." Another agreed, posting: "I really like Danielle. Her estrangement with her brother and SIL really hit home. Real jersey girl."

However, others are worried that Danielle's casting is going to bring around some reality show deja vu: "The new Danielle copied Teresa's dysfunctional family storyline," one viewer wrote. Another griped: "Danielle is very much like Teresa and not in a good way! Her telling half the story about her fam issues to Melissa and wouldn't have mentioned the [extra] sh*t talkin she did during planning [that] was the REAL reason she was excluded if Mel hadn't said something was missing."

Fans react to Danielle, Real Housewives of New Jersey newcomer

Here's what people are saying about the new RHONJ housewife on social media: 

New episodes of Real Housewives of New Jersey air Tuesday nights on Bravo.

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Christina Izzo
Christina Izzo

Christina Izzo is the Deputy Editor of My Imperfect Life. More generally, she is a writer-editor covering food and drink, travel, lifestyle and culture in New York City. She was previously the Features Editor at Rachael Ray In Season and Reveal, as well as the Food & Drink Editor and chief restaurant critic at Time Out New York. 

When she’s not doing all that, she can probably be found eating cheese somewhere.