Teresa Giudice Quits ‘Special Forces’ After Refusing to Watch Daughter Gia in Boxing Match
The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice and her daughter, Gia, both signed on to compete in Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, joining a stacked cast of celebrities in one of Fox’s most physically and mentally grueling reality shows. For Teresa, it was more than just another TV appearance. She’s described the journey as deeply meaningful because she got to face the challenges alongside Gia. The show’s tests pushed them both out of comfort zones, but those moments also strengthened their bond. Most recently, Teresa quit the show after refusing to watch Gia partake in a boxing match against another competitor.
Teresa Giudice quit ‘Special Forces’ following her refusal to watch Gia Giudice participate in a boxing match
Teresa Giudice made a dramatic exit from Special Forces Season 4, choosing to withdraw rather than watch her daughter, Gia Giudice, take part in a physical fight. The moment came during a “milling” challenge, which is a head-to-head combat drill, where Gia was paired up to spar with Christie Pearce Rampone, a former professional athlete. As Gia prepared to enter the ring, Teresa removed her armband and announced, “I’m withdrawing. I can’t see you fight,” according to Yardbarker.
“I’m not a quitter, but it’s going to be hard for me to not be able to step in if Gia’s in a vulnerable position,” Teresa continued. “I just want to protect her.”
The decision rippled outward, emotionally impacting Gia, who admitted that her mom’s departure triggered trauma tied to her childhood. Gia spoke of her family trauma, recalling that both her parents had legal troubles. When Teresa left, Gia felt a mixture of fear and responsibility. Part of her wanted to quit alongside her mother, but another part felt she needed to stand on her own
“When my mom left [the course], I was kind of panicking,” Gia told the directing staff. “She made me feel secure. I have a problem when people leave. I hate even talking about it because it’s so public. My dad didn’t file taxes for 10 years. My parents both got indicted; my dad was sentenced, my mom was sentenced. She did 11 months. I was 13 when I had to take on a lot of responsibilities, taking care of my sisters, planning Christmases, the whole thing.”
The famous mother and daughter discussed the difficulties of participating in the show together
While speaking to Zachary Reality about participating in Special Forces, Gia and Teresa Giudice discussed how it was both difficult to watch each other suffer and helpful to have each other during the experience.
“Obviously, seeing a person that you love struggle, or lose stamina, or get fatigued, or seeing any of that is obviously a big toll,” Gia admitted.
“Then you want to push yourself even more, because you don’t want to let the other person down,” Teresa added. “So, if anything, Gia pushed me in situations that I was like, ‘Oh, my God!'”
Teresa and Gia concluded that this experience was the “toughest” they’d ever experienced in their lives.
Teresa Giudice says everything that occurred on ‘Special Forces’ was ‘all real’
Teresa Giudice has a message for those skeptical of the reality behind Special Forces.
“It’s very intense,” Teresa said while speaking on her Turning the Tables podcast. “It was all real. There was no fakeness about it.”
She noted that it was 100 degrees where they filmed in Morocco, North Africa. And while contestants could start with makeup on, it didn’t last long.
“Then, they take everything from you,” Teresa continued. “You’re not allowed to bring anything. You’re allowed to bring one item.” She noted that she brought hair wax while her daughter, Gia, brought personal wipes for the bathroom.
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