There’s no drama quite like real life, and when it comes to the real lives of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, a lot is going on. All reality tv shows have plot twists that no one could have written. The story of Teresa Giudice is one of those convoluted tales that make the show so riveting. Certainly, Teresa’s life would make a great film too. We’ve come up with five actresses who should play Teresa Guidice in a Lifetime Movie.
Snapshot of Teresa’s Current Drama
Four years ago, Teresa and her husband Joe were doing the same things other reality tv families do. They spent time with their four girls, went out together, and generally had little to worry about other than whatever socialite drama was a part of their lives because they’re on television. Then things changed. Joe was born in Italy, and though he was raised in the US and has lived here for decades, he never became a citizen. So when Teresa and her husband got indicted for forty-one counts of fraud, deportation was on the table. The couple pled guilty, and Teresa went to jail for about a year. During that time, Joe was able to stay with his girls; however, once Teresa was released, it was Joe’s turn. He went to jail for three years and eight months and was detained by ICE afterward until he was finally deported to Italy. Now the couple is possibly getting divorced. Regardless of how their story turns out, one thing is sure. Teresa certainly has a story to tell.
Five Actresses Who Should Play Teresa Giudice in a Lifetime Movie
All of these lovely actresses are very talented, but we also looked for women who share Teresa’s dark hair, the penchant for drama, and some other quality that might give them insight into her life. Obviously, no one can ever truly experience what another person has gone through, but actors do everything they can to understand what their characters are feeling. This is even harder when playing a living person. On the one hand, they’re often available to help coach you and give insight. However, actors also have to keep in mind that they’re portraying a real person who will have to deal with whatever reactions a film about them receives.
1. Camilla Belle
The lovely Camilla Belle is certainly no stranger to drama. She’s been acting since she was five years old. Any actress with that much history can undoubtedly get into another person’s shoes and walk a mile. We’ve been fans of her career for a long time, but her first significant role was in Roland Emmerich’s 10,000 B.C. where she played Evolet, the love interest of D’Leh, who gets kidnapped by mysterious riders from a more advanced culture. Camilla was wonderful in From Prada to Nada, a modern remake of Jane Austin’s novel Sense and Sensibility. It’s a story we think Teresa may relate with after going from having the world as her oyster to bankruptcy and jail time. Moreover, both women are involved with children’s charities. Though Camilla is an international spokesperson for “Kids With A Cause,” which is for children struggling with poverty while Teresa has worked with NephCure, which helps children with kidney issues.
2. Kristin Kreuk
We’ve said this before, but when it comes to getting into a real person’s mindset, it’s easier for an actress (or actor) to do that if they’ve got some common ground to draw on for the experience. Teresa has been working hard on her physical body lately. Bodybuilding isn’t something a lot of actresses do, but Kristen understands fitness well. She’s been practicing martial arts and working out regularly for a long time. In fact, she has a purple belt in Karate. In addition to sharing a desire to get physical and stay in shape, these women have something else in common. Both Teresa and Kristen know how it feels to be embroiled in a controversial scandal. While Teresa went to jail for her part in the 2014 fraud charges, Kristen was involved with a cult known as Nxivm (Nexium) where her celebrity status and that of her costar Allison Mack was allegedly used to help recruit sex slaves. Luckily Kristen got out of that life. Still, her experiences under the public microscope could help her play an outstanding Teresa.
3. Vera Farmiga
Though Vera would have to wear darker contact lenses over her stunning blue eyes to play Teresa, this gorgeous actress has range. From Godzilla to the Bates Motel, Vera has enough experience to play almost anyone, and we have always enjoyed the films and shows where she’s been on the cast. As a woman who was born in New Jersey, we think she might have some shared experiences with Teresa to draw on for the role. Moreover, Vera has been through a divorce. She eloped to the Bahamas with Sebastian Roché in 1997, and the couple stayed married until 2004, so she knows how it feels to divorce a long term spouse.
4. Rachel Bilson
Rachel might not be the actress you think of when casting a real housewife based movie, but we think she’d make a good Teresa for a couple of reasons. Firstly, she knows what it’s like to lose everything suddenly. Well, not everything, but her home was burglarized. We know that’s not the same as filing bankrupt, but a significant and sudden loss is still traumatic. Additionally, though it’s hardly the same as being arrested in real life, Bilson does know what it’s like to play someone who’s being arrested. She was cuffed and taken away during the filming of Jumpers.
5. Lili Simmons
Lili is well known for her part in Cinemax’s Banshee, but we think she’d make a stunning young Teresa. We know that she’s used to being under fire from the media and fans just like Teresa. When she was cast as the new Selena Kyle on Gotham, many fans were unhappy with the choice. The sad truth is that no matter how a public personality acts, someone will always be unhappy with them. We could see Lili and Teresa having a lot to talk about when it comes to handling the pressures of public scrutiny.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s divorce, scandal, coming from New Jersey, or being arrested on TV, all the talented ladies we’d cast as Teresa Giudice have something they share with the reality tv star. However, there’s no one quite like Teresa, and we admire her strength and how hard she worked to get through being in jail and then having her husband jailed and deported all in the most public way possible. Love her or hate her, that takes strength and not just the kind you can see in her fitness pictures. Would you watch a movie about Teresa Giudice’s life? Let us know why in the comments below.Allison Mack
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