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Amber Marchese Leaving Real Housewives of New Jersey

Amber Marchese is focusing on speaking and breast cancer awareness
Amber Marchese is leaving the Real Housewives of New Jersey, she confirmed to Us Weekly on Tuesday, Nov. 10

Calling it quits. Amber Marchese is leaving the Real Housewives of New Jersey, she confirmed to Us Weekly on Tuesday, Nov. 10 — and revealed it was both her and husband Jim’s decision.

“Jim and I have been giving Real Housewives of New Jersey a lot of thought and given the current state of affairs regarding our personal lives and the direction of the show, we officially decided to move on,” she tells Us. “The show was not what we expected it to be, and I want to pursue more endeavors.”

The reality star — who is currently fighting breast cancer for a second time — appeared on the sixth season of the hit Bravo series, and revealed her reasons for wanting to originally be cast on the show.

“I was picked on a casting call while pursuing acting,” Marchese, 38, says. “I approached the show as an actress wanting to make producers happy. I wanted to make Andy [Cohen] happy. I had little control over content, situations, or what they decide to show the viewers. The ramifications of that did not sink in until after I watched the show. That is not Amber on any level.”

Real Housewives of New Jersey
Amber Marches appeared on the sixth season of the show

As for what Marchese is currently focusing on?

“I am now working with an agency for anchoring and advocate speaking for breast cancer,” she says. “I also speak for drug cancer companies and nonprofit.”

The mom of four often memorably fought on-screen with RHONJ twins Teresa Aprea and Nicole Napolitano, but she insisted that those fights were fabricated.

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“My relationship with the twins was created,” she admits. “I recruited them for my story line after I was chosen. I only met with Teresa Giudice and Dina Manzo for filming purposes. I never built a friendship with them as we were nothing more but co-workers. I wish them all well and the best of luck, although my husband does not share my sentiments.”

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Amber’s husband, Jim, also often bickered with both Aprea and Napolitano, even getting in an explosive shouting match with Aprea while the cast was on vacation in Boca Raton, Fla., in October 2014.

“I think he [Aprea’s husband, Rino] f—ed your mom,” he shouted at Aprea.

Still, Marchese says that she’s grateful for her time on the show, despite the fighting.

Related: PHOTOS: Former Housewives

“I am happy I did it,” the former reality star tells Us. “I learned a great deal. However, RHONJ is a hard gig that requires one to be heartless and cruel. I am not either. I have learned too much in my life and have too much love in my heart to intentionally hurt anyone. I am a girls’ girl and do not want to see my friends in pain and this show requires you to be deceitful. Many good things came from the show: a great platform for breast cancer awareness and some amazing friendships. I just want to thank everyone who has supported me and has shown nothing but kindness through my difficult times. It is a dream as an aspiring actress to get a lead role, but as with all careers, as one door closes, God willing, another one will open. I wish the old and new cast all the best! God bless to all!”

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