Gia Giudice Defends Mom Teresa Over “Unprofessional” Interview, Slams Narrative Family Doesn’t Pay Taxes, and Talks Feud With Ava Dash & If Teresa Unfollowed Her

Gia Giudice is speaking out about the way in which her mother, Teresa Giudice, abruptly ended a live interview after being faced with questions about her past-due taxes.

While appearing on Nick Viall‘s podcast on Tuesday, the 24-year-old Next Gen NYC cast member recalled the 53-year-old Real Housewives of New Jersey star hanging up on the news anchor, shading him as “so unprofessional.” She also looked back on Ariana Biermann‘s feud with Ava Dash, 25, and she revealed if Teresa really unfollowed her castmate.

“Honestly, I thought she handled it perfectly,” Gia admitted on the July 8 episode of The Viall Files. “She’s over it because people have this whole narrative that we just don’t pay our taxes. It’s, honestly, comical for me, but not really.”

According to Gia, she feels bad for her mom, who was hit with a $300,000 tax lien earlier this year, months after her husband, Luis Ruelas, 50, was dealt a $2.5 million tax lien.

“I just feel so bad for her because she’s been busting her a** and paying everything since she got out [of prison], and when the news anchor said to her, she just thought it was so insulting and unprofessional,” she explained. “It was just so unprofessional, and I think a lot of people said that it was, and I just, I think, for her, she was just so insulted by it because people think they know, still to this day, and they don’t.”

After noting that her mother’s financial issues are “nobody else’s business,” Gia admitted to being happy that viewers of Next Gen NYC were able to see Teresa in a better light than she’s been seen in on RHONJ.

Also speaking of Meredith Marks, 53, of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, who has been featured on the series alongside her son, Brooks Marks, 25, Gia stated that the way the ladies are seen on Next Gen NYC is how they actually are.

“That’s how they are on a day-to-day basis, so you guys are really seeing them on Next Gen how they treat us and how they treat their kids and are with their kids every day,” she revealed. “My mom is the sweetest person ever, and she is the most loving mom, but I’ve seen my mom, obviously, on Housewives, and Meredith on her show. When you’re around just kind of a toxic environment and with women maybe that want to bring out the worst of you, you’re not going to be shown in the most happy, positive light. But on Next Gen, there was no reason for them to be yelling across the table or telling anyone to leave.”

“It’s a completely different vibe, and I’m really happy people got to see my mom in that light as well,” Gia added.

Looking back on how she stood up for Ariana, 23, amid her feud with Ava, Gia said she was happy with how she took up for her co-star.

“Watching it back now, Ava was really just insulting her the whole time. Nothing was making sense, and I was kind of just calling a spade a spade,” she recalled. “I did feel bad, though, and that’s why I did text her after that night, and I was like, ‘Sorry,’ but the bulldog comment was a little much.”

Also on the podcast, Gia addressed Ava’s suggestion that Teresa unfollowed her.

“Do you really think she would be able to just sit there and take the time to do that? I just know my mom and she barely knows how to film her Cameos correct … She’s not tech savvy in any way so when Ava said, I was like, ‘Girl, you’re lying. I know my mom and she doesn’t care that much to unfollow you,’” she declared.

Next Gen NYC season one airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Bravo.