'RHONJ’ Star Rachel Fuda Is Proud of Her Blended Family With Husband John (EXCLUSIVE)

Bravo shook things up on The Real Housewives of New Jersey by kicking off Season 13 with a few fresh faces, including Danielle Cabral and Rachel Fuda. Rachel came into the group as Melissa Gorga and Dolores Catania’s friend, and the former bodybuilder was (and still may be) trained by Dolores' ex-husband Frank Catania.

Although Rachel is quite a busy woman — her tagline reads, “I’m too busy running a business to care about yours" — she spoke to Distractify about her first season as a New Jersey housewife.

She also shared how the new role impacted her husband, John Fuda, and their three kids. Here’s what to know about Rachel Fuda’s blended family!

Fans will see Rachel and Melissa’s relationship during the Season 13 RHONJ premiere. The Jersey girls actually met through their sons, who are best friends.

While we have watched Melissa’s son, Gino, grow up as the show has progressed, Rachel's 17-year-old stepson Jaiden experienced reality TV cameras for the first time in Season 13.

Rachel says her relationship with Jaiden was a significant piece of her wanting to have children biologically. She also told us she takes “a lot of pride” in her family and credits them for being “at the core of who I am as a person.”

When Rachel and John met at the 46 Lounge in Totowa, NJ., where Rachel bartended, she instantly felt a maternal connection to Jaiden.

Rachel and John eventually married and then welcomed two more children, daughters Gianella Jolie, 4, and Giuliana Rose, 2.

While speaking with Distractify, Rachel teased that fans would see plenty of moments between her and her family, including her journey of legally adopting Jaiden.

“Everyone will get to see the adoption process and how that comes to fruition,” she told Distractify. “And, you know, how that gradually takes place. So I'm really excited to connect with other blended families and people that are, you know, maybe going through similar situations, and, you know, connecting and talking through that and hearing from people. You know, just like relating.”

In addition to RHONJ fans seeing Rachel’s dedication to her kids, we also get to witness her being a boss alongside her husband, John.

John and Rachel currently work together at John’s family business, Fuda Tile. Additionally, the couple owns Valet King, a valet service in New Jersey.

While some couples likely wouldn’t last too long living and working together, Rachel and John seem to be making it work, as they celebrated their wedding anniversary in January 2023.

When asked how they grew their successful blended family, Rachel stressed the importance of communication among everyone involved.

“I think that family therapy is always a positive thing,” she says. “And I think it can help even the most perfect families in the world. And that certainly has helped us.”

Rachel added that parents should always have “patience and love” for their kids, biological or not, especially during difficult times.

“Anything worth having is not easy, and having a blended family is no different,” she declares. "It can be extremely hard to navigate. Be patient, take your time, and just always lead with love.”

Rachel has been candid about her journey to expand her family. In Season 13, viewers watched as she discussed with John their plans to undergo IVF, the same process she used to conceive her two daughters. “John and I always felt like our family wasn't complete," she shared with People. "We even have an empty chair at our dinner table.”

Now, it looks like that empty chair won't stay vacant for long as the family gets ready to become a party of six!

People announced the exciting news on Aug. 11, 2024, that Rachel and John are expecting a baby.