Teresa Giudice may be no stranger to drama, but this time, she wasn’t sticking around to finish the scene.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star shocked viewers Friday morning after she abruptly ended a live interview with Chicago’s WGN News when asked about her family’s ongoing tax controversies.

The incident occurred during a Zoom interview meant to promote Giudice’s latest projects. But things quickly went off-script when anchor Larry Potash pivoted to her personal finances.

“How is it that a family doesn’t pay their taxes for years?” Potash asked.

Giudice, 53, seemed caught off guard.

“What family are you talking about?” she shot back.

“I’m talking about your family. Isn’t that what the fraud charges were?” Potash clarified.

Giudice didn’t answer. Instead, she cut him off with a firm, “I’m hanging up,” and disconnected the call live on air. Potash, unfazed, turned to the camera and quipped, “She didn’t like that question.”

A History of Legal Troubles

The question, while pointed, wasn’t entirely out of left field.

Teresa and her ex-husband Joe Giudice served prison time in connection to a high-profile fraud case in 2014. The couple pleaded guilty to multiple counts of mail, wire, and bankruptcy fraud after investigators revealed they had falsified income on loan applications and concealed assets during bankruptcy proceedings.

Teresa served 11 months of a 15-month sentence. Joe served 41 months before being deported to Italy. The couple eventually divorced in 2020 after two decades of marriage. Joe currently resides in the Bahamas.

Their financial woes didn’t end there.

In March 2025, PEOPLE reported that Teresa and her second husband, businessman Luis “Louie” Ruelas, had been hit with tax liens totaling more than $3 million. According to public records, Teresa herself owes over $303,000, while Ruelas reportedly owes nearly $2.6 million. He also has a separate open case from late 2024 involving another $163,000.

Radio Silence from Teresa — But Not from Gia

While Teresa and Louie have largely stayed silent about the debt, her eldest daughter, Gia Giudice, took to her podcast Casual Chaos earlier this year to defend her mother.

“My mom has been the sole provider for my sisters and me since my dad went to prison,” Gia said. “She’s worked her a– off to keep us stable.”

Gia emphasized that despite the headlines, everything is under control.

“My mom has everything handled. There’s nothing to worry about,” she assured her audience. She also praised Ruelas as “the most amazing stepfather” who’s “working on getting everything resolved.”

“We’re doing perfectly fine over here,” she added. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

A Pattern of Walking Out?

This isn’t the first time Giudice has stormed out of a media appearance. Over the years, she’s become known for her fiery temper—on and off screen. But Friday’s exit was different. It played out live, with no edits, no Bravo cameras, and no chance to save face.

Social media lit up within minutes of the clip airing, with viewers divided. Some sympathized with Teresa, calling the anchor’s question “inappropriate” and “unprofessional.” Others applauded Potash for confronting her on real issues rather than glossing over her controversial past.

One viewer wrote, “She signed up for reality TV. This is reality. Answer the question.” Another posted, “This is why stars bring PR reps. This was a car crash.”

What’s Next for Teresa?

Despite the momentary fallout, Teresa remains a staple of the Bravo universe. She’s currently filming the next season of Real Housewives of New Jersey and continues to make appearances on spin-offs and talk shows—though she may be more selective with her bookings going forward.

Legal experts have told PEOPLE that while the tax liens are “serious,” they’re “not uncommon” for individuals with complex income streams like reality stars and entrepreneurs. The biggest risk lies in public perception—and Friday’s incident may have added more fuel to an already blazing fire.

For now, Teresa Giudice is keeping quiet. But the cameras are still rolling.