Even behind bars reality star Teresa Giudice will be calling the shots. The "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star is expected to begin her 15-month prison sentence in January and will reportedly have her TV gig waiting for her when she gets out.
Sources close to production told Radar Online that producers weren't sure about the future of "RHONJ" since Giudice - a main cast member since its initial launch in 2009 - would be momentarily stepping away from the camera.
At first, the plan was to rush production and finish taping before Giudice was sent to prison but now producers reportedly want to postpone Season 7 until 2016, when Giudice is released.
"Bravo is very nervous to do the show without Teresa," the source said. "They fear that without her, the show will not be as big of a success."
"They're exploring shelving the season until 2016, when Teresa gets out of prison," the source added. "By having her fresh out of prison, there would be a clear storyline. It would also pull on fans' heartstrings to see the changed Teresa back in the limelight."
Both Giudice and her husband, Joe, landed time behind bars for several counts of fraud. Joe has to serve 41-months and will start his sentence once his wife is released. The Bravo show wrapped its sixth season in November and filmed a reunion special a couple days after the Giuduces' sentencing.
According to Radar, Giudice doesn't want to film for the show as she waits for her surrender date.
"There are many people who are trying to hurt Teresa by claiming things that don't really have a strong basis in truth," the source said. "Believe it or not, Teresa really does not have an interest in being in the spotlight at the current moment."
"If you notice, Teresa is not currently doing any media. She could be milking this, but she's staying relatively quiet," the source added.
Last month, Andy Cohen, who serves as executive producer and host of Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live" told fans during a Reddit AMA that the network had "not made any plans to the future of the Jersey Housewives."
According to E! Online, Giudice must report to prison on Jan. 5.
