Amber Marchese steps Behind The Rope. Amber pours herself some wine and takes us back to the beginning. The beginning for her, as it relates to The Real Housewives of New Jersey, is her past friendship with Melissa Gorga, prior to Melissa becoming a RHONJ. Way back when, prior to Joe Gorga, back when we were all young, Amber was friends with Melissa. She remembers when Melissa was first cast and what that did for her relationship with Sister In Law Teresa Giudice. We discuss how Amber first got involved in casting, what Jim thought about her potential on RHONJ, and how she was ultimately cast. Having never watched the show before, Amber didn't know what to expect with filming, editing, producer involvement, interacting with the other women and the after math of how life would change once the show aired. She talks about “The Twins” and why she thinks her Infamous Season Six of the hit franchise was “off”. We discuss the cardinal mistakes she thinks she made as a part of the show and how she thinks to survive on RHONJ it is important to be align with Mel or Tre. Speaking of Mel and Tre, Amber discusses the positives and negatives of each and what her current relationships with both are today. She gives a full critique of "On Display” and discusses her thoughts on other current RHONJ cast members Dolores Catania, Margaret Josephs, Jen Aydin and Jackie Goldschneider. We also discuss her opinions on RHONJ past Kim D., Kathie Wakile, Siggy Flicker, and Danielle Staub. Amber opens up about the very public falling out with her stepson, the origins of that fallout and whether it related to his sexuality (Amber speaks her truth), the involvement of Lance Bass, his husband Michael Turchin, Andy Cohen, and her true thoughts on the LGBTQIA community. Amber discusses the effect this very public dispute has had on her family and the hate she receives both in person and on social media. We foreshadow the current RHONJ season as it plays out. Finally, Amber discusses the joy of being a cancer survivor and what is next for her in life. Hint: Not Housewives.  @amber_marchese @behindvelvetrope @davidyontef Bonus Episodes Available at - https://www.patreon.com/behindthevelvetrope This Episode is brought to you by Apostrophe https://www.apostrophe.com/pod/VELVET/   Merch Available at - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/behind-the-velvet-rope?ref_id=13198 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices