Gia Giudice is no stranger to the spotlight, but this fall, she’s stepping into a whole new kind of challenge. The 24-year-old daughter of Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice is set to appear on the fourth season of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, premiering September 25, 2025, on Fox. The reality competition, known for pushing celebrities to their physical and emotional limits, will also feature her mother Teresa, along with notable names like Eva Marcille, Brittany Cartwright, and Jussie Smollett. But for Gia, this season isn’t just about braving the elements—it’s about forging her own path, both on and off screen.
After making her reality TV debut on season one of Next Gen NYC, Gia has been steadily building her brand. Speaking exclusively to Us Weekly at the iHeart Radio Music Festival on September 20, she revealed she’s preparing to leave the family nest in New Jersey. “I think it’s totally normal to live at home for as long as you want, and when you are ready to move out and take on that responsibility, it’s totally up to you,” Gia said. She emphasized that there was never any pressure from her mother or stepfather, Luis ‘Louie’ Ruelas, to move out. “I wasn’t rushed. I didn’t have a timeline. My mom isn’t kicking me out of the house.”
Now, after graduating from college and spending time back home, Gia is ready to take the next step. “I am apartment hunting right now. I’m moving out very soon [in the] next month,” she shared with Us Weekly. The excitement in her voice was clear as she described her anticipation for independence: “I’m excited to really have this alone time and be independent and just have this whole different perspective of, like, going to work and commuting. I’m so excited for that.”
Gia’s advice to other recent graduates? Don’t rush. “It’s never a bad thing to live at home,” she said. “Save your money, especially now. I did see on the news, apparently, that the house interest rates went down like 2.2. It’s trickling the right way, so maybe in a year, I’ll be ready to buy.” Her practical outlook reflects a generation navigating economic uncertainty, and her comments will likely resonate with many young adults facing similar decisions.
But it’s Gia’s upcoming appearance on Special Forces that has fans buzzing. The show, known for its grueling military-inspired challenges, promises to reveal a different side of the young reality star. “I’m so excited for Special Forces to premiere. It’s premiering in five days,” Gia told Us Weekly, her enthusiasm palpable. “I just think it shows everyone in a different light, like, it’s raw, it’s real and it was one of the craziest, hardest experiences I’ve ever done in my life.”
One of the most intriguing aspects of the season is the dynamic between Gia and her mother, Teresa. The two found themselves isolated from the outside world, forced to rely on each other and confront personal issues head-on. “My mom and I spoke a lot about things that we probably have never spoken about, because you are just secluded from the outside world,” Gia explained. “It was just her and I, as well as the other castmates. I felt most comfortable with my mom, and we talked a lot about letting go, and this journey on Special Forces was so amazing to just let go of the anger and really worry about yourself and just really let go. I overcame so many things on Special Forces, like my anxiety, just feeling overwhelmed [and] second-guessing myself. … It really was such a life-changing experience and show.”
Yet, the season wasn’t without its tensions. Gia recently opened up about friction with fellow contestant Kody Brown, known for his appearances on other reality TV series. Although she never mentioned him by name, fans quickly deduced who she was referencing. “I was just saying people, obviously, had some issues with him,” Gia told Us Weekly. She elaborated, “There were just scenarios—which you guys will see on Special Forces—where, maybe, he wasn’t being the best team player and he wasn’t looking out for the people who were on his team and more so just looking out for himself and the end goal to win.”
Despite these moments of frustration, Gia insisted there’s no lasting animosity. “I think we’re all kind of just like, ‘It’s OK.’ But I wouldn’t say that he was the best team player in certain situations. I think he was trying to be, and then at certain points, things would pop out, and then they would get some people a little annoyed. But we really had such an amazing cast.” She also acknowledged that Kody did help her at specific points during the show, underscoring the complicated dynamics that can arise in high-pressure environments.
Kody Brown, for his part, offered his perspective on the generational divide within the cast. “I am Gen X and half the cast was Gen Z,” he said. “I felt like I got along. I honestly felt like I got along with Gia. There was a point where we’re forced to make a choice about something, and I just got as deadly honest about it as I could.” He admitted to struggling with confrontation: “I didn’t know how to handle certain things, and I didn’t know how to manage confrontation afterwards about, ‘Why did you pick me?’”
Brown also reflected on the unpredictability of the competition. “We live in a modern world. There’s things I cannot say. Just because you remind me of my daughter, I wouldn’t ever let her get on that plane. … It is a tough world. It’ll surprise you who is strong in some places and who’s weak in places you wouldn’t have expected them to be.”
As the premiere date approaches, anticipation is building—not just for the physical feats and dramatic moments, but for the personal growth and raw conversations that Special Forces promises to deliver. Fans of Gia and Teresa Giudice will get a rare glimpse into their evolving relationship, while viewers new to Gia’s journey will witness a young woman stepping boldly into independence, both in her personal life and on national television.
For Gia Giudice, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of transformation. Whether conquering intense challenges on Fox’s Special Forces or navigating the realities of adulthood in New Jersey, she’s determined to do it on her own terms—and that’s a story worth watching.
