On Display with Melissa Gorga - Missy, Sissy, and Nicky - Part 1 (w/ Nick Marco and Tara Bogota Marco)

Episode Date: December 22, 2022

The holidays are here, and who better to catch up with than some family? Melissa invites two of her closest cousins, Nick and Tara, onto the show to talk about the family dynamic that has kept them close all these years, why people drift back to their families in their 30s, and why their family's version of "Secret Santa" is one of the best out there.  Plus, we hear an endearing story about how some of the most intimidating family members can become some of your closest friends. It's an incredible holiday episode that will give you some insight into Melissa's family, the side you don't often see on television.  Have a great and safe holiday everyone!  This week's sponsor: Advocare - Spark Energy Mix: advocare.com/melissa (15% off)

There is zero competition in this family. It is all about lifting each other up. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. What's up, everyone? Hi, my listeners. We are heading out on 2022. We only have like another week or so left,

but there is no way that I can talk to you guys just a few days before Christmas without bringing you guys a little bit of my family, okay? Have to bring you a family episode. This is a very, very special episode for me. This is the cousins episode, guys. So on this episode, you're probably going to learn more about me than you then you learned about me on all the other episodes because these two right here

call me out. They tell the truth. They're not like jaded by the show by anything. It's just missy, sissy, and nicky coming to you live. Okay. Let me just tell you, these two are marcos. Okay, Tara and Nicholas are both marcos. They are actually my godfather who is John Marco. That is my dad's brother. Okay, he's my godfather. These are his two children. He only had two, Tara and Nicholas.

They are so incredible. They're my absolute best friends. We're gonna give you all of our inside cousin secrets. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Nicholas Marco and Mrs. Tara Bagoza. Hi everybody, so happy to be here. Hello. Hi. I'm so happy that you guys are finally on my podcast.

Did you like my little cousin's introduction? Listen, I can introduce you in so many more ways because you guys are such entrepreneurs. And I want to get into that throughout the episode because I'm proud. I truly am so proud of you guys. They have huge connections. My, my godfather was the founder of hand in stone massage, which I know you guys all know, which then they went and took over. So we're going to get into all of the business part of this later. But for right now, I just want my two cousins to be in the room with me.

What's up guys? Are you excited to be doing this? So, obviously, such an honor. It's like such a full circle moment to see you go since 2011 being on Real Housewives of New Jersey and now doing a podcast. Like honestly, didn't realize how good you would be at interviewing people.

And I feel like we have a lot more similarities as we get older than we didn't realize as far as just like things you enjoy doing and things you do well. And you're really good at just talking to people and connecting and I just think that you're truly meant to be on TV. Like you handle it so well. And so it's such an honor being here on your podcast.

And you better buckle up because like I'm channeling a little bit of Andy Cohen, Jeff Lewis, maybe even a little Oprah today. Like I'm already. Oh my God, my cousin came prepared. It's so funny. He is like, he's like the smarty pants, right, Tara, in our family.

He was always like the Penn State graduate is like, you know, he's like the smarty pants, right, Tara, in our family. He was always like the Penn State graduate who like, you probably were like valvictorian or something. What were you? Number two, but I didn't speak a graduation, which was all I wanted to do. Oh my God. Number two at Penn State. Okay. Like, this is, this is what I'm dealing with here in my family. Me not so much, but how do I follow up with this? I've been used to it forever. Nick, you know, I know. He's my younger brother, but he is always got more to brag about. Well, you have three kids. Tara has three beautiful children. Okay, she has a set of twins and my godchild, Nicholas, who is so cute. How old are the twins now?

Seems after my brother. The twins are seven. The twins are seven. You busy, but this is a full circle moment being in your office here with your on display sign behind you. I know. It is crazy. And I actually love that you guys didn't just do a Zoom that you came in because it makes it feel a little bit more real.

And I just feel like we can banter off each other a little bit. And when you first said Zoom, I'm like, no, no, no, I'm coming. Like I want to see you. We want to just have a conversation. And we're coming up. And we're coming up. We're coming up. Lunch afterwards, maybe a little envy shopping. Of course.

envy, by the way, guys. envy is across the street from my podcast office. So, and Tara, in case anyone doesn't know, is my biggest customer. Literally buys one of everything. Which we'll get into, because she's always been my little cousin. And I feel like we've always had a relationship relationship where I kind of did it first and she

would watch and learn and then right like that's kind of you know gotten my fashion advice from you hair advice makeup always gone to you for approval all those things. I mean guys with Christmas being just a couple days away and before we get into more of this like family dynamic that we have, we have to share all of our fun family traditions that we have. I mean, there's definitely a couple that stand out to me. Some from when we were younger and some that we now created

now, which I feel like our Instagram followers absolutely love. I mean, when we were younger, we were definitely that family who were, we were not allowed to open the presents before midnight right. We did all the seven fishes, we ate all of the pasta and we were not like our grandmother used to we used to watch the clock tick in our Christmas pajamas and like I remember Tara, you, I, Jenna, like we would put like the little Christmas bells around our necks and like hop around and just wait for midnight. We were not allowed to open one gift until midnight.

And I can remember being five years old, probably. Going home, so late at night, falling asleep in the car, but we would never leave each other before midnight. Do you guys remember all of that? Or do you? And just always obsessed with games constantly. And the adults too, honestly, I think that's as kids, the adults were having a lot of fun. And the adults too, like honestly,

I think that's as kids, like the adults were having a lot of fun. And it was always like anything. Oh, our adults like partied on Christmas. Yeah, insanity. Yes. So it was named the card, Gabi, please. Push.

Push. Oh my god, we love to play push. And the real money, and like, and I loved that. Real money, somebody won the jackpot at the end. The adults were always like having a couple cocktails. We make specialty drinks. Christmas Eve for our, we have like, you know, we're pretty much typical Catholic Italians,

but our Christmas Eve are huge. They are, it's the party day for us. It's where we dress up. We know it's, like the music is blasting. It's a party. But what I do want to tell you guys about is our more recent tradition that we do, which I know a lot of you know already

if you follow us on Instagram. And if you don't, you need to watch this every Christmas day. We do a very special secret Santa that follows up with like a wrap. Right guys? Wait, explain this. First of all, who started this? I was like, can I take credit for this one?

I feel like it's either me or Lisa, but I don't know. All I know is I think I take it very seriously. Very seriously. And you know, it's a moment for sure. Explain to them what we do. And you know, who is your secret Santa? Is this chant? Who's your secret Santa? Ready? Here, this is how it starts.

Before everyone takes the stage, it's like, Who's your secret Santa? Who's your secret Santa? Who's your secret Santa? Who's your secret Santa? And then whoever has the stage, stands up in front of all of our cousins and all of us together and they start their rap. Their rap is something, it's like a song,

it's like poetry, it rhymes a lot of the time. It's something about the person that your secret Santa is. So you can sometimes kind of shade them. It's sometimes like a roast. We're always a little nervous about being live on Instagram versus posting because it can get a little brisket, a little, a little, we got to keep it clean.

All the aunts and uncles vote on it. My dad immediately disqualifies you if you drop an F bomb. Right. So we have the older people in the room, which is our aunts and uncles and our parents are judging who had the best rap, right? And who had the best rhyme.

Nick, give me like an example of a secret Santa, so they understand. So it's like, we chant for you. Like one example rap? Yeah, like give us, do you have one old secret Santa in your... Let me see, let me see. Because every year. I mean, I usually do mine the day of and it really comes out pretty amazing. But some people are

Nick might already have his written from. Yeah, I'm like upset because I said like release like I call you when I need you and my heart's on fire. And we have to stop for a few. You answer the phone ready to get wild and more wild. Oh, you come to me, give me everything I need. Give me a lifetime of memories and the pictures to keep. I'm trying to do Tina Turner right now. I don't have my music.

Yeah, but so it's gotten even crazier. Like now people have background music. Right. It's just very intense. Yeah, but like so he'll be like it's gotten even crazier like now people have like background music and Right, it's just very and like I it's very intense because you don't want to be the ass who walks up and like didn't come up with a good Ryan the sweating that your husband has oh my god My husband is so upset because we're preparing and he loves being this off the cuff comedian Who's just I'm like did you practice? He's like, no. I'm like, you're stressing me out.

You're stressing me out. I'm just gonna tell you about Joe. He never makes his rhyme. Like so as we're driving down to Tyra's house for Christmas day, he's always like, wait, write my rhyme for me. Like, what am I gonna say? Tell me something about this. Who's my, he's probably asking you on the way there.

Who's mine? Yes, yes. That's the worst. No, the best is two women. It's time to like pick the names. Like, I don't always be like in the group chat. I'm like, I hope I get somebody good this year. Yes. The problem is I always get the same people. I get the same people every year. I'm not going to say who it is because you know, I don't want I don't want to give a heads up.

But like I get the same two guys every year. I feel like every family though should maybe like adopt this tradition because it's a fun time. It's so good. Like everyone's prepping. People are hiding in bathrooms practicing their rhymes with the non-competers, the little cousins watch us. People are coming over from their relatives house at the end of the night. They're like, I'm leaving my in-laws, but I'm headed to Tara as I'm going to go high

up. I want to go watch Secret Santa. They would have like people tune in live, honestly. Yes, guys, just make sure you tune into my Instagram that day. I will video everyone's secret Santa. Now I feel a lot of pressure. It's only a couple days away, Christmas Eve and Christmas day. So we better get working on a rhymes. So anyway, be sure to check all of our Instagrams. You will not be disappointed. And Melissa is let me know your opinion on who you think had the best and the check all of our Instagrams. You will not be disappointed. And, Melissa and I are, let me know your opinion on who you think

had the best and the worst wraps of our family this year. What's up everybody? I need all the extra energy that I can get this holiday season. That's why I drink Spark. It's Avicare's best-selling energy drink mix. And it's definitely my go-to for extra energy and focus this time of year. Spark has just the right amount of caffeine I need for these

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you shop at avacare.com slash Melissa today. Well, I wanted to bring my cousins on today to be honest with you guys because I get so much feedback from you guys. I know you guys know I just did my cousin's trip to see Mariah Carey that we do every single year for the last at least five years, six years. Yeah, I know like seven, eight years, it's amazing. Yeah, and you guys asked me about my family all the time

and you envy the fact that I have such a close relationship with my sisters and my cousins and that we spend so much time together and that I know you guys see them all on Instagram and you can see that we are genuinely a very happy family and that we have like great relationships with each other and so many of you and even just people on the street guys, by the way, just to applaud you guys as well, everywhere I go,

because I probably get a lot more interaction with people and, you know, strangers telling me things, they love the way that we are together. They love the way you guys are with my sisters, with our other cousins. Like, people are very envious of a great family that knows how to do it right, right? And that is the one thing I don't brag often. That is the one thing that I brag about.

Anyone in the world looks at me and says, you have the most amazing family. Like, you're a family. You guys are so fun. Like, we want to come to... And I go, you know what? I do. I was blessed.

I do. I know it. The guys I used to date, just FYI, like back before Joe, you always just want to get married because they want to be a Marco. They just wanted the family. Yeah, Joel hate that I just said that, but it's the truth. Sorry. They were all just like this family, this family, like they didn't want to break up because

they didn't want to not be part of our family. So I feel like we're so blessed that way. Let me ask you something guys, why? Like first of all, talk about Mariah Carey-Trip. How did this come about? Well, first of, can we just, I mean, the fact that can we believe that she packs Madison Square Garden,

this diva can go on, basically almost like 11 o'clock at night. Like she has no time table. I just couldn't, it's still like shook how late she was. She was making bets when we really come on. And I think we all just secretly are obsessed with her just unapologetic way about her, which is why we're just so obsessed with her.

Also her music, guys, when we sing every song. It's incredible. Like I literally sang every song. Mariah Carey is truly Christmas, and just when she first did a Christmas concert I just thought let's start this annual tradition and regardless of if she has a show or not it will always and forever be Mariah Carey Christmas weekend with the cousins in New York City always in December and we just the magic of New York I mean no matter what there's always the magic of New York City in the Christmas spirit and

during you know the holidays and who started this trip was this next surprise us years ago it was his idea he invited us the night before he got the tickets and that was a one night thing and then it turned into all right we're gonna go for the whole weekend and we're gonna prepare this month's an advance And then we're gonna start picking out what we're wearing it turned into a tradition and we see the tree and we just yes We just spend the whole weekend together. Nick you you are responsible for our amazing cousins weekend And it's funny because you are I want to say the youngest cousin of all Is it fair Nick how old do you let's just talk ages because people probably curious how old you guys are? There's you and I 10 years apart almost exactly I'm 32 gonna be 33. I'm a Capricorn very proud of that

Second I always used to joke and I was a kid like I was the first person burnt born of 1990 I wasn't but I tell people I was you and Sarah I'm 37 so that makes us six years apart Yeah, and it doesn't matter how old you are like your sisters you guys have that age gap We all right age gap doesn't matter. We just I think that's what blows people's mind I was just away about like seeing you know the cousins who we hang out with like it the age range It goes from 50s 40s and 30s literally age range. It goes from 50s, 40s and 30s. Literally. Some of the ages just a number. My sisters could be having a hot flash. The other ones are trying to like hang from the

chandeliers. Like you never know. We all just like make it work. And it's weird. We all have like the common we're all very fun. Which I listen, we could like have cousins who aren't as fun or we all like to have a cocktail. Is that fair to say? Like we all are just a really good time. So I think that's why it always works when we're all together because in general, we all love life, right? We all love each other. We all just want to have fun.

But let's talk because I think what my listeners want to know really too, is like, why are we all so close? Because you know, it's not all families that doesn't come this easy, and that's fair to say, and I feel for families that it doesn't come this easy, and not everyone is as lucky, I would say, as we are. Why is it, and I think I know some of the reasons, but I'm curious your take on it, like, is it because of our parents, right?

Like, why are we all so close? What do we do different than some of the other families? Well, I feel like I always look at life like in the lens of like business. So like I feel like that whole saying of like it starts from the top, like Tara, what were you just saying about our grandmother? Like she was a peacemaker and always forgave.

So there was never any grudge holding in our family. And that's it your family you forgive you forget you move on we're always honest with each other we never competed we all have always rude each other on I think we watched our parents always look out for each other and you know be proud of one another and if one family was struggling they helped the other or you know there was just always that common denominator of how we were raised. And for me, honestly, I feel like what's crazy

is the person I could have been today if I didn't have the family that we have because I'm proud to be a gay man, but holy crap, did I ever think in my early 20s that that day was gonna happen that I was gonna come out no way? And it wasn't until really, I had this amazing conversation with my father where he literally grabbed me, put me in the car, we went over the bridge to seaside heights, we're overlooking

the ocean and he just, he saw I was hurting, I was off, I was like saying it without saying it and he just basically ripped that bandaid off and told me, do you understand the concept of unconditional love? And for my father to express that to me, which I think is just surrounded by us in our family, like we just have unconditional love for each other. We support each other through everything. And we celebrate the smallest things that we go through and obviously the biggest things. And we never take that for granted. I mean, it is truly a special day every single day. I wake up every day excited, like I

really do. I didn't know if I was going to be that type of person, but once my family basically celebrated me coming out, it was like we truly threw a party. I'll never forget it because it was you were on, it was your was one of your first filming events when you performed in New York City at Monarch or whatever it was. It was like on display. It was like season three. And it was like,

Jesus. People were asking, can I tell, can I tell, can I tell it? And I was like, fine. And I walked in and I was like, wait, this is Melissa's event, not mine. It was like coming out party. It was like my little coming out party.

And it was like I just turned 21 and that just changed like my whole trajectory of like who I became and I just, I think I just try to embrace it. Like I love my family so much. I love my friends. I surround myself with people that just support me, build me up. I want to build up every person around me and we get that from our parents, you know, how we were raised. It's just, you know, it really does foster what we have today. It's true. And I want to talk a little bit about you coming out because I know there were some hesitations. And I love the way you just explained how, you know, your father was,

he was beyond amazing, which is like, because you were really the first one I would say in our family, is that right to come out in our in our closing? Yes. And say, you know, that you were gay and the way he reacted and embraced you, it made all of our hearts literally melt. And coming from an old school Italian family, we are an old school Catholic Italian family. And I will say my uncle John, who I got lucky enough that is my Godfather, he really sets the bar very high in our family when it comes to business, when it comes to philanthropy, when it comes to a lot of things as to like how our family is going to work and how we are going to be with one another and how we're going to accept people and how we are going to be with one another and how we're going to accept people and how we're going to give back. He really does set

the bar very high expectations and he's not afraid to communicate them, which sometimes be scary. But we respect him for that. You know, we do. Right. I have my personal story with my uncle and how I, when I realized he was amazing, is when my father passed away and I was only 16 years old and I'll never forget, I was having a moment where I was kind of looking down at my father in the coffin. And I was just silent, quiet, I'm a young girl, and I'll never forget him coming up behind me, like putting his hand on my shoulder Literally at the funeral home and saying to me like I am your godfather and whatever you need

I am right here and you never be afraid to ask for me Ask anything that you need and like I am your father now basically saying like you know I'm never gonna take the place of your father, but here I am, like, ask me for anything and pushing me to want to go to college and told me I'm gonna pay for your college. I'm gonna pay for your books. Oh, Tara, actually, you reminded me this the other day

when we were out, but that's what, that's a real, that is a brother stepping up. That's not even for me by the way to me that is a brother Taking care of his brother saying you're a youngest child 16 right now and she's not gonna be lost Yeah, and he did everything he said he was gonna do tower actually has well I have the best memory of the family. Okay, and you were dating someone and you came to a family party Okay with a brand new belly button ring in And you were dating someone and you came to a family party with a brand new belly button ring in.

And Melissa, you know, with the abs and the body, shows up with their bikini and my father's like, what's in your belly button? And you're like, I just got it pierced. He's like, what are you doing with your life? Do you wanna go to college? What's your aspirations? If you, he runs inside, he gets the computer paper and a pen.

He jots up a contract and says, if you take that belly button piercing out, I will pay for your entire tuition for the semester if you get all ace. If you get one B, I'm gonna take a little bit off and you're gonna help pay for it. But, and he wrote up this contract. You took the belly button ring out in front of us.

You signed it and then you started college. Oh, there's my college story guys. And by the way, a lot of people don't know. I did graduate college. I have a BA in elementary education. So I am a certified teacher, K-380. Thank you to Uncle Johnny, who really did push me to go to college because I did have a

moment in life where I did get lost, you know, I got lost. I was a little bit of a wild child. I would say from like 14 to 18 maybe. I feel like that's where I got a little lost in life for a minute and I probably was acting out and I wasn't sure like what I wanted to be or who I wanted to be. I kind of felt like an only child because my sisters were so much older than me. So, yeah.

You were such a daddy's girl. Well, both of us had that label. Yeah. Life was turned upside down, you know? Yeah. It was crazy. It really was. And I was a daddy's girl.

He was kind of like that guy who just like videoed me all day, which is kind of so surreal to what I'm actually doing in life. Like, my dad, for some reason, just thought I was going to be a star. I don't know why. I know it sounds funny. But guys, how many videos do I have dancing on tables with my dad setting up the proper lighting and videoing me?

I mean, it's weird, but it is what it is. And that's why I cry sometimes when I think about him and what I'm actually doing now, because I know he'd be the first one there like clapping and cheering me on but thank God that I have my actual extended family I am Lola Blanc and I'm Megan Elizabeth and we're the hosts of Trust Me, the podcast about cults, extreme belief and the abuse of power. Now on podcast one We're real life cult survivors and we're here to tell you anyone can join a cult. If you've ever dived headfirst into a new self-help program, or believed well, heartedly in a spiritual practice, or even just trusted someone with your life,

guess what? You're just as susceptible as everyone else. No one is safe, especially not Megan. I'm the most susceptible. We want to debunk the myth that people who join cults are uneducated or naive or broken, because anyone can be manipulated by an arse assist or feel good in a new group they've joined. And we should know we both have been. Join us every week as we explore the world of extreme belief, talk to survivors and experts, and share our own experiences with cults and abusive power. Don't be fooled, you might be next. Get new episodes of Trust Me, every Wednesday on podcast one Spotify, Apple Podcast, and anywhere you get your podcasts. We all really did drift in our 20s, but like explain on that. What do you mean by that?

Yeah. Well, like when you're in your 20s, you feel like your friends are your family. You'd basically drift. you're finding yourself. And yeah, I remember being young and being like, is Melissa coming home this weekend to be a part of Sunday dinner? And you moved and you bartended, but you did all those things at a young age. You did it earlier than your 20s.

But, well, so I also was one of the only ones in the family who kind of just like moved up North and moved away from our hometown of Tom's River where we all kind of grew up. So that was a little different to you. I think I kind of set the bar up doing things for Shephra. I did want things to do that, you know, after having kids, like not be fearful to meet new people. Like, think about it.

Everybody you, that is your circle of friends, you made as an adult and you kind of encourage, it's not hard to make new friends, Tara, when you're older, you just go put your daughter in dance school and sit in the waiting area. Look for a mom that you vibe with. Look for a mom that wears the same type shoes you do. That's what I used to say.

I'm like, just like if she- What kind of shoes? Yeah, if her shoes look like your shoes, you guys have the same vibe and shoes, you guys could be friends. So all your young moms out there, just pay attention. I don't know.

Sometimes if you have the same, I don't know. You could just tell your vibe, but you have a really good way of like seeking out people and knowing who's good. You don't ever waste your time with toxic people that you don't vibe with. Like, that's for sure. For sure. Because you don't have waste your time with toxic people that you don't buy with. Like, that's for sure. For sure. Because you don't have. And I do feel like there was

what you were saying about like drifting in your 20s, we all did have our moments. There was a time where you weren't around and like then I was there with a baby and you were having your club moments, right? Oh, it would make fun of me. Like you're the party girl, West Virginia. And you're right. Tara went to West Virginia, also an awesome party school. And now we're trying to help. And Tonya picked her place. And I'm like, I need to be a part of this conversation. Yes.

So I would like to announce on this podcast today that Tonya got accepted. She got accepted to many schools. One of the schools she got accepted to is Penn State. She has to go. Yes. And she's on the fence. Like there's reasons and Nick literally

was like face timing her from Cousins Weekend saying, like, there is no if and or buts. We are Penn State, baby. I'll talk to her. I mean, I don't want to pressure her, but she's got at least, like, she's not even like considering it. Like she's going through that mood right now,

where she's like shutting it down too quickly, even though like I know in her, probably in her heart in her mind, she's probably like considering it. Like she's going through that mood right now. She's like shutting it down too quickly, even though like I know in her probably in her heart in her mind, she's probably excited about it. She is. She just wants to do opposite of whatever we have. She's a rebel. She's absolutely a little bit of a rebel. Yeah.

And Tara, you were talking a little bit about Antonia too when it comes to like thick skin. I'm so impressed by her how she has turned out growing up on reality TV. It's like she doesn't care. Like we will be on a beach or somewhere and she just, very confident. It's so confident, nothing phases her.

She's not, she's not changed by it, even though she grew up that way. It's just, it's amazing watching how the Curskines, it really is. And when I look at Antonia, what I see is, in a lot of aspects of life, not is unfazed. That's it. She's unfazed.

It doesn't give. Yes, it's very hard to impress her also. It's like she doesn't. And she likes my photo. I'm like, yes. Right. It's like a whole thing. Yes, now it's so true.

I'm like, Antonia, notice it. She's so good. So many ways. She hasn't known it yet. She is me. I see how she just treats like sometimes like with her boyfriend when he like certain things she'll like say to him at certain moments or if he's being like annoying or something like just her response or her look. I'm like, Oh my God. She is. And she's coming back to you. But you know what? I am impressed with the way that she grew up.

And not to say Gina or Joey did not, but Antonia is a girl. She's 17. Like she did, I think, you know, I'm very impressed with the way she's unfazed, like completely. She doesn't have any like drama with girls at school or like bullying. She does, but she handles it. Like I feel like she knew about it.

Right. When we were younger, it was like the topic of Sunday dinner, what we were dealing with in the after- That's a whole episode for you, Tara. Yeah, we're gonna deal with it on Monday morning. Like I remember going to you for advice, but like, Antonia's never come to any of us with that type of drama.

It's so crazy that she is such a drama-free. Like she almost giggles at drama. Like laughs at me. Like she'll laugh at me, she'll be like, oh, mom, please. Like, like she's unfazed by the fact that even, you know, her cousin's on fouled, her parents on Instagram and that, like she just is like, you know what, mom, not your problem.

There's that Gorgugin, I feel like, like, where's that coming from? I mean, not that you're not that way. I think she gets this from me, guys. Yes, true. That like she, I've taught her like how to handle situations in a calm matter. Yeah. Sorry.

We just, I wanted to talk about that Antonia thing. She's just really mature. That's a good, yeah. She's just really mature. Yes. I think maybe that, maybe the TV show helped with that maybe I think she's also watched certain situations and things that I've been through to and how I handle them and like the calmness in the room instead of the chaotic miss and I

think she's learned from that and it could also just be her personality guys I mean she's she is herself we can't just say that I've totally created her I mean she it is who she is, you know, and she's the word that comes to mind with everything is unfazed. Like, just in life. She's still so young, I'm excited. We don't we haven't really fully seen her yet. Yeah, we don't know exactly. I agree. And that's why I would like her to go away because not too far, but not too far but there's power in that experience. There is power in becoming your own self

and not having a reality television show filmed in your home once a year. And just kind of getting away from the fact that Joe and I are very there all the time and taking care of everything. I do want her to have that experience. I can't wait to see who Antonia is. And if she goes to a big school, the memories will make, will all of us visit her?

We will. You know we'll be at the fun football games. We'll be at the fun football games. I'm here for it. We're already planning it. But do you guys see? So when people want to know about cousin strips, and we're already deciding now

on wherever Antonia goes to college, the family's renting an RV, or we're going to get an Airbnb, and we will be there probably at least one of the weekends throughout the year. Because this is how we think. Everything's a thing. Like this weekend, I'm like we have to start looking for Adriana's community dress. Like, wish we put it on our calendar so we can all do it together. Right. Like it's a thing. It's how our brain works. Like they just went and picked out the suits. Oh, they just went to Dolce and Gumbana. I know and I couldn't be there and I was sending hate messages to the

group chat the entire time but it's fine. Yeah, Nick just found his tuxes. Let's talk about fame for a second because you guys obviously started with me from I mean birth. If we're being honest, I definitely changed your diapers Nicholas. Happy to say Tara, I might're being honest, I definitely changed your diapers, Nicholas. Happy to say, Tara, I might have changed yours. I remember we were obsessed with you. I would just like twirl you around. And like, we've literally been best friends all of us since the day you guys were born.

You can be honest, is it weird to have a cousin who's with you one day and then a little bit more famous the next day? No, it's so fun. I can honestly though remember like a little lump in my throat when it first started, especially the way it started. Yeah. Being like, oh god, is this going to change the dynamic of our family?

Because I mean, you just don't know. And I have to say, I was put at ease so quickly once you got on this show because you use it as a channel to just make our lives I think more exciting and and and you share the the journey. You know, we have been along the ride from with you since day one and I'm obsessed with this ride. It's amazing. We've met so many people, gone to so many fun events, and you have not changed, I think, in the slightest bit I think you've only just enhanced who you are. You found your the boss in you and it's inspiring I think to other women especially, you know, I love like you're so natural at just posting these photos to share this Fashion and like I don't take any

of that stuff for granted and think it's easy. I think what you do every day is very impressive and I think we all just have to find what we do well naturally and you do. Like if I had some of your skills, I would be better at some of these other things. Like we all bring some really interesting things to the table and I just, I think we just love when people are who they are. Yeah. Thank you. By the way, thank you.

That was very nice. We just say that. Well, I think you were really built for this industry. I mean, I remember saying to you, like, when you got on the show, how can you handle these comments and the us weeklies and the tweets. I'm like, I could, everyone knows me. I could never handle it.

Well, because it's not for everyone. The thick skin. Not for me, sir. And I just remember you saying, clear as day, Tara, if my family knows who I am, and my friends know who I am, I don't care what anybody thinks or say. I can sleep it, and I can put my head on the pillow.

I can sleep because I know who I am, and you guys know who I am. And you've just always been the same person. You'll come to parties at my house, you'll see friends from high school. They're like, my little size and changed a bit. She's still the same girl. And it's just been so fun to experience all these things

for you. You got on the show the summer you were my brides made and my wedding. And I'm like, hope she could still come. Of course you were there wearing the ugly bridesmaid dress I made you put on. But of course I went right up to the DJ and said, can you play on display? Uh-huh. Yes. You know, we just always cheer each other on but you were so made for this but you're still you. I'm still me. I love you. I love you. I'm still you but you an elevated version and you've

just used this platform to promote all these things that you're good at. Whether it's fashion, fitness, singing, dancing, and I love that you guys say like, whether it's fashion, fitness, singing. And I love that you guys say, like I've shared journeys with you. I would love for you to tell the listeners, give me something that I've brought you to that was exciting for you. What did we do together?

First of all, just so you guys know, I do like to take this experience and share it with my family because it's not fun to me to do it alone. Like I want everyone to feel what I'm feeling, and I know they would do the same. They would bring me to all their events, right? So give me something that I've taken you to that you loved. Well, I just feel like, I mean, for instance,

Nick and I just went to Bravo Con, and Melissa's introducing me to everyone. This is Tara, my cousin. This is my cousin. I'm looking around. I'm like, I don't think anybody else's cousins are here. You're right. Like, I'm your plus one, but you and I just like taking a like 40, what was it?

24 hour, 48 hour trip to LA. So you could be on lip sync battle. Oh my God. I was in, oh my, I couldn't believe it. And she just like jumps in the studio and just starts doing this whole dance routine that no one even taught you. And you're just do, I'm looking at her like, is this girl for real? I remember. How you can just learn a routine, lip sync.

Oh, hey, hello, cool Jay. Hey, Chrissy Teaguey, no big deal. And all these fun things that we've done, parties, meeting people, it's just been such an exciting ride. I think lip sync battle is probably the most fun for you and I, right? I was honestly really jealous of that. Yeah, you should have been.

I'm not gonna lie. Everyone's like, was one of the better ones. I think I'm the way to lip sync battle. I'm like, yep, she picked me. Well, we were so, I'm not gonna lie everyone's like one of the better one They are the way to lip sync battle. I'm like yep, she picked me Well, we were so I mean I'm still I still watch it. I mean I just was so impressed again by what you did like that That you to me stick out as one of the best ones. Oh, thank you. There's been a lot You know me I've been doing lip sync battle in my living room since I'm five. I mean if anyone's gonna do lip sync Battle I mean I

Something that sticks out with you is I remember introducing you Nick to Andy Cohen, and him really being blown away by you. Like, I remember him texting me about you after. He was just like, how's your cousin Nick? Or he would text me, say, wish Nick a happy birthday. In the beginning, he just really like took to you. He liked you because you are a very likable guy. Also very handsome, my cousin, ex very handsome.

They're both gorgeous humans, both of you are brother and sister. Well, I appreciate that people don't just think of just Melissa Gorgher. They really think of Melissa Gorgher and her family. I think that because we are so close and we celebrate it, none of us is supposed to be racking about it. I think frankly what we're trying to do a lot of times is just encourage other families because it does feel like we're very isolated

in how much love we share and how much time we spend together compared to just other people out there. And you know, I mean, it's a shame. Just by the way, they're baffled by it a lot of the times. Like they literally, even my friends, like out of my other friends, right?

And my circle of friends. We love your friends. They'll be like, my God, your family. Like, let's just discuss friends for a second and what people can bring to the table. So Nick, Nick was just telling me a story before we started about his, he's actually engaged.

Nick has a fiance, Mike Masco, who is a weather man. He's a weather man on, where can we see Mike right now? Everywhere, everywhere. He's jumping around everywhere from, you know, phl 17, he's been on pfox, he's been on newsmax, like he's what a range. He's what a range. He's a true weatherman in the family. Yes, we do text him all the time. Like, what's the, what's it going to be like today? Is the weather going to get better? We text him all this crazy stuff all the time, but Nick was actually just telling me a really funny story

that he just looked at him the other day and said, like, who can you bring to the table? So we're going to have a discussion about how we are also very open, right? So it's like, yes, we're a tight-knit family, but we are not the type of family who does not let you in. We let you in. We let you in. We want to add to our circle.

23, I'm like, who are we going to meet and like bring in? I'm excited about it. But in all honesty, guys, let's discuss who brings the best people in and who brings the most friends to the table. Go ahead. And we do sometimes joke about this. We're like, you do. We do. So we just, I don't know what it is. She just, she does meet the best people. And like, we all are friends with them. And it's like, and then we feel bad because then they really do connect with us.

They take my friends. It's like, I don't want them to feel obligated when they have this family party to invite the entire Marco crew. But they do. And I'm like, oh my gosh, like, we better bring the best gift ever because like, we're such a huge posse to come with. And we roll so deep. We roll so deep. Oh my god. Oh my god. Like every baby shower now. Yes. Um, every, you know, I'm making my guest list for my wedding and I'm like blown away. How many people I've met through you are going to be on this list. But like, it's my wedding and I want them there and I don't care. Like if I've only met them a year or two ago, we just connect and

that's how it works. Right. So here's the thing. Yes, here's the thing. We, if I've only met them a year or two ago we just connect and that's how it works. Right so here's the thing. Yes here's the thing we if I meet new friends which let's not say I have thousands of thousands because I keep my circles tight. My circles type but what I am very good at what my cousins are trying to say I am very good at picking people I am I have a I have a thing that I feel like I was blessed with that I can wean out the bads and I can wean in the goods very, very easily. I'm a very good judge of character. And I've learned people who are like us, where I know they're vibe. I know they're the type that probably wanna do what we do.

I can sense good people. I can sense non-jellis people, right? And I end up, whoever I'm friends with, gets introduced to my family, right? Because I'm always with my family and every and I throw a lot of parties. And my family ends up loving all of my friends, right? Like, for instance, next week,

we are all going on a trip to a robot with who, guys? All your friends. All your friends. So Tara and Nick, and, you know, Nick's fiancee and Tara's husband and her three children. They're all, oh, hold on. They're all coming to Aruba with me and all of my friends because I pick good ones. They love us too, like let's be honest. They love you guys too.

No, no, no, they love you. So mutual. First of all, I'll introduce my friends to my cousins, and then my cousins are invited to all of my friends, like kids' birthdays, like unions. Everything. Communions. We buy those. Christmas parties.

Yes, they send gifts. Like, I don't know. I just pick really good people. And, you know, I would like you guys to start bringing some people to the table. I would appreciate you guys. I do like a couple of your friends. We do. And I love your friends too. But like, you know, more people to the table. I would appreciate you guys. I do like a couple of your friends. And I love your friends too.

But like, you know, more people to the table would be nice. No, we love a good challenge. So I'm all for it. And that's why I challenge Mike. I'm like, let's go. Do you bring into the table? Mike is his fiance. Yes.

Yeah, you got to bring, listen, I believe in like adding to the circle, but you have to choose wisely. We have to choose well. Going back to one thing I wanted to say about our our cousinhood right in our circle of trust, which we do call it a circle of trust and really funny guys, we have a text chain okay. It's called quarantine cousins and we're going to get into quarantine cousins in a second because that is a group chat that sometimes we all post on Instagram Sometimes I'll post little funny things, but you got to be a cousin to be in you have to be some type of blood or you're not allowed into the group chat and that

group chat is lit, okay a lot of the times it is you want to read what's happening in quarantine cousins But before we get to quarantine cousins, I just need to add, because I feel like this is very important. When we were discussing why we're so close, and why we have so much fun together, and why we lift people up. And I think we touched on it lightly.

It's truly because we are not, we were not made or bred to be in competition with each other. And I think that is such an important part of this, because we can say a lot, but hear me clear when we say that. to be in competition with each other. And I think that is such an important part of this because we can say a lot, but hear me clear when we say that. We truly do clap for one another. And I know you touched on that a little bit, Nick,

but from our mothers have taught us and our fathers have taught us. No, we're not going to the store trying to buy Tara a coat for Christmas that's less than yours. We're gonna match her coat and you guys are going to be twinning in the coats. And there is zero competition in this family. It is all about lifting each other up. If it's the smallest little things that happen to someone, we clap for them.

We'll bring them a cake. Like it's, it's very much so about there is zero competition. And I think that is a huge part of it. We're proud of each other. We're happy for each other. And I do think we were raised to be, let's just say genuinely pretty decent humans. Right? I mean, our parents are good people.

I was giggling the other day because our two mothers, by the way, who have our sister and loss, they have known each other since they're 18 years old, I want to say. Is that fair to say? They are still giggling together on trips to Florida and taking photos of each other. Like they set the bar for what family is, what extended, what your married family should be like, how there are no ifs and you think my mom doesn't get annoyed with Aunt Dawn once in a while or didn't get annoyed with Aunt Lawa. Of course, but that is family.

There is never a situation where they don't speak or like she holds it against her or it just doesn't exist. Like it doesn't exist where we come from. It doesn't exist. And honestly, that's why it's always been a little difficult for me to take in, you know, like dealing with my, when you marry someone, dealing with like a new family and when things are not the same way that you're used to, you're the outcast and you call it, it's very different, you know what I mean?

Oh, yeah. So I- Especially if you'd deal with jealousy, I mean, that's literally, it ruins everything in life if you have jealousy. Everything. Everything. And is that something that you're born with you think, Nick? Since you're the smart one in the group, or is that something that you're like tall?

I'm like, I'm that guy that thinks people can absolutely change. It just might take a lot of work to get them to really see the light. Okay. But, you know, I mean, I think... You believe people can change. I do, I mean, I think the change. I do. I really do think people can change. But I do think that, you know, some of it is innate, almost genetic.

I mean, I do think that it's a balance, but where there's a will, there is a way. And it comes down to sometimes hearing it from the person that they hear she really respects. And, you know, like sometimes it may not be me. It may be somebody else like it's just they finally may see the light and it may be too late in their life and they've ruined too many relationships.

But, you know, I think that, you know, you can kind of break the cycle, if you will. You know, and it's important for us, like think about where we are today. Do you think a hundred years from now, where will the Marco family be? We have to continue to just, you know, grow up. Because now we have, we have Lexi, we have Gianna, we have a whole another 20 year old generation

underneath us. My here as we get older is like we can't, this can't change. I want to put this in a bottle and like this cannot go away. No, we need to keep this going. And I won't let that happen. I mean, honestly, like, I feel like that's something like I, that's a priority for me. Right. And the love between us is really strong and so similar,

but the thing that's also awesome about our families were very different. There's so many different personalities in this family. I mean, everything from political views to freaking, how we dress. There's definitely people. I have a lot of opinions on how everybody dresses. There's definitely a range but we we embrace that of each other and we call each other out all the time

and it's nice. We do. We do. If anyone's diving out, if any, we do call each other out. It is like it was so funny over the weekend when you weren't there on Sunday part of the weekend which is totally fine. We're gonna also discuss that this weekend in white. But we're shopping and I'm side texting you pictures of me and quotes and Kimmy. Your sister's like, what are you doing Tara texting Melissa for her approval?

I'm like, yeah. But I love that about you. I have no shame. I will always say that I've looked up to you. I've seeked your approval. I've gotten your advice. And that's just always how it's been. And I love that, though.

It's been fun. And we always joke, like one day, our daughters are, you know, they have a big age gap. But I'm like, one day they're going to be just like us. Yeah, they're only 10 years apart. We all kind of drift in our 20s, find ourselves, go to college, look for a husband, and then you kind of meet back up when you get home,

you take that break of your friends being your family, you're back with your family, and all of our husbands, our friends, all of our partners, our friends, and they don't have to be blood. When I met Joe Gorgon, you got married to him, he became my cousin, he's my cousin now. And it's like your mother, she became a widow. She's still my aunt, godmother.

Like it didn't separate our family, which death can do that a lot. And I feel like that didn't happen to us. Obviously it made us stronger. It made us stronger. And like, you know, we're all trying to find her a man right now. So we're all trying, Donna Marco, we're still looking for your man.

We're going to be very picky with him now because she has been through. Well, she's really tough. Like she's really picky. She's very picky. And there's no logic to it. Who knew why she was so picky? Why is she so picky? She really has to give them a chance.

He has to like really not want sex. He has to love AC. There's many things. We'll get to hold on a market dating episode, because that's a whole nother thing. But one thing I want to go right back on real quick is, I want you to share this story about when you were coming out. And like some of your nervousness that you had even with Joe Gorga. Yeah, well, I think that's like the, when I say we're so different as a family,

like I think that, like I think about your husband and really all of my men in my life. They're beyond masculine, beyond open about just sex and just, I was in college, it should be the prime time of my life to just be with girls. I tried the fraternity thing and I found myself wanting to hang out with those sorority girls and it was so confusing and so scary and every time I saw your husband who knows Penn State so well was always asking me you know what are the girls like at Penn State how's that going how's that how's that going how's that going how's that how's that going how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's how that how's that how's that how's that how that how's that how's that how's that how's that how's that So, and I was just such a, just such a confused person. Like I was like a shell. I really was a shell. It's like really sad to think about,

but I think of like there was this analogy. Remember that movie broke back mountain when like Heath Ledger said, like I had to be like a clenched fist and how he acted. And I always remembered that because that's how I felt like I was. Before I came out, I was always like this clenched fist.

Like I never wanted to loosen up because I was always scared. It would come with that label of he's gay. I didn't know how to handle that. That really crushed me. When I did come out, it kind of like almost like leaked in a way. I'm so glad it did because the love and embrace that I got from your husband to just be so excited for me, to just wanna flip the switch already

and just talk about guys, which was like, amazing actually for me, because it made me so comfortable so quickly. And I think that everyone just realized it wasn't like an easy thing to do. They said, I'm very proud of you. We're gonna celebrate this. And I didn't even know what that was at the time. Like I didn't realize like how like they acknowledge

that it was not an easy thing to do. And but it's amazing like for anybody out there that like whether it's your parents or anybody in your family or your friends, even like I could think of my roommates, they were so amazing in college. Like, you really don't wait, you know, I mean, you got to do it at your own timeline and feel comfortable, but I'm telling you if you deserve to be who you are now, and if you do it, regardless of the repercussions that's going to happen, like, you got to find the people where you're comfortable with, because then you're never yourself. And he was just so amazing. And I tell him at all the time.

And I mean, we were just at Bravacan and I like did a whole toast to him at like one in the morning about it because I we were with my cousin Jared and, you know, he's close. You guys are with my husband as well. You know, there's so much more to talk about here. You guys are so much fun. We definitely need to do a two-parter on this one. So, listeners, you need to catch us two-parter on this one. So Melissa and I, you need to catch us back here next week for part two of the

Family Holiday episode with Melissa Corga on display. We're gonna dive into quarantine cousins text chain. We're gonna dive into the crazy family dynamic a little bit more and we're also gonna figure out why some of our husbands get so jealous when we go on our cousin's trip, okay? So I need to wish you all a very very Merry Christmas. I love you all so much. Merry Christmas from me and my cousins. Merry Christmas everybody. Merry Christmas. We'll see you next week. We will see you next week! [♪ OUTRO MUSIC PLAYING [♪ Yeah!