After what seems like way too long of a hiatus, Real Housewives of New Jersey finally returns with Season 7 on Sunday, July 10. Even though I'm sure fans are thrilled to see the return of Melissa Gorga, Jacqueline Laurita, and, of course, Teresa Giudice, they should definitely keep an eye on RHONJ newcomer Siggy Flicker. After screening the upcoming premiere, I can attest to the fact that Flicker brings a much-needed fun and positive vibe to the series, in addition to being a breakout star within her first 30 seconds on screen. Yes, she's that fantastic. While chatting with Bustle over the phone, Flicker proves she's just what RHONJ needs and that she has no regrets about joining the series. "There's no better platform than to be a Housewife of New Jersey on the number one network on TV — Bravo," the 49-year-old relationship expert declares. "You'd have to be a fool not to do the show.
Even though she "had plenty of hesitation" about joining, Flicker is already ready to come back for another season. "Doing the season I was scared," she says, before adding, "I would do it all over again in a heartbeat." Here's hoping she does, because based on the premiere, she's definitely a scene stealer. Viewers first meet Flicker just after she got a facelift, and it's a moment that will certainly make you laugh. As funny as it is, what's so refreshing and inspiring about Flicker is that she doesn't apologize for who she is and loves herself inside and out. The latter is something she thinks everyone should embrace.
As she says,
"So, I'm 49 years old and that's really important for me to tell you that, because most people hide the fact that they had a facelift and they hide the fact that they're 49 years old. No one wants to talk about age. I believe honesty is the best policy. I put it out there. Even when I get criticism, I'm like, 'Does your mother look like me?' Absolutely not."
Since around the age of 30, Flicker's been obsessed with beauty (she credits ZO Skin Health for keeping her youthful), but believes beauty comes from within. She says passionately,
"You could be the prettiest girl in the world and if you have an ugly soul, you are U-G-L-Y. You ugly, it doesn't matter. Beauty comes from within. And beauty comes from being grateful, from being appreciative, and from being kind. When somebody's kind to others, when somebody doesn't think they're God's gift to the world, when somebody's humble, that to me is the most beautiful trait that anybody can have."
See? Further proof that she is the breakout star of Season 7. And just wait until you see her in action. However, she isn't accepting the title of "breakout star" with open arms, because she believes her costars also deserve credit in creating a successful show and season. She says about my prediction that she will steal the season,
"I don't know about the 'breakout star,' because these women, you couldn't have a show without Teresa — ever. She wowed me. And, Jacqueline is? Oh my God, a 10. A 10. A 10. I think that what I bring to the show is just a little bit of laughter. I wasn't looking to do anything but just like support these women and be on and I'm grateful for the experience."
However, Flicker does recognize her ability to make others laugh. She's all about fun and won't deny that fact.
"I've always been told my whole life that I remind me people of Joan Rivers and Bette Midler. To me, that's the biggest compliment in the world, OK? I love these two women and my gift is I like to make people laugh. When you're with me, you're gonna laugh. ... To me, life is about laughing."
Well, that's something that is surely needed on RHONJ. After six extremely dramatic seasons, a little light and positivity is welcomed. Flicker says she's been this way since she was born. "My mission in life was always — ever since I was a young girl — I've loved to change peoples' lives. I feel like not everybody is very lucky in who they surround themselves with. So, meeting somebody that can inspire you, can change your life. I feel like we're all brought into this world and why should I keep my gift to myself?"
Thank goodness she hasn't. In a world of drama, tension, stress, and arguments, Flicker seems like she's going to change up New Jersey for the better. With so much negativity throughout past seasons, I know I'm ready for a new and improved show, which is exactly where Flicker enters. She says of her skill,
"From a young age, I was always able to help people see a different perspective into what they would think was a negative situation. I would make them see it in a whole different light and it would change their whole aura, their energy. I think that everybody needs a little bit of a Siggy in their life, not me in general, but somebody who's just able to help you through bad times."
Well, I have a feeling she's going to be helping out most of her fellow Housewives in Season 7 and that they're going to be thrilled to have "a little bit of Siggy in their life."
Image: Tommy Garcia/Bravo; TheTribalGuyCouncil/YouTube
