Not only Karen Gravano, but also Brittany Fogarty were banned from attending the memorial services of their co-star Angela ‘Big Ang’ Raiola. Some might say that it’s a slap in the face for the both of them but really the reason is much deeper and makes a lot of sense if you understand the underground affairs that are tied between these families.
The mafia code of a blood feud which unfortunately goes beyond the friendship of the co-stars, and also shows that sometimes the past (and the past of your father) will catch up to you. Maybe it was best for all the other parties at the service that Karen and Brittany did not attend in order for it to go smoothly and not take any attention away from the reason they were there. That reason being honoring Big Ang and the legacy she left behind.
Gravano’s father, Sammy “Sammy the Bull” Gravano, was a notorious crime boss, meanwhile, who teamed up with the FBI to bring down another infamous mob leader, John Gotti.
“There are going to be some people going to the service whose fathers may have been killed, or put away by their cooperation (with authorities),” Giovino said.
Their daughters are often referred to as “baby rats” within the organized crime ring due to their fathers’ willingness to work with authorities, which often made for contentious relationships between them and other members of “Mob Wives” cast.
Big Ang, however, was one of the few people willing to look past Brittany Fogarty’s family history and accept her after she joined the show last year, which is why the 25-year-old reality star was particularly distraught that she was banned.
“She’s very upset,” Giovino said. “She can’t even talk on the phone. She’s just been crying.”
“They had a great relationship,” she added. “Big Ang treated her like a daughter.”
Fogarty and Gravano were on their way to Saturday’s visitation when “Mob Wives” producer Jennifer Graziano called to tell them that Big Ang’s ex-husband said they weren’t welcome, largely because many of the other attendees had been afflicted by their fathers’ past actions. Giovino didn’t believe it at first, but “Mob Wives” star D’rita D’avanzo told her in a seperate phone call that it was true.
Giovino, who said Big Ang’s ex was likely pushed by others to implement the ban, said she understands why they weren’t welcome, but she felt bad for her daughter, who doesn’t have a relationship with her father whatsoever. Fogarty just wanted to bid farewell to Big Ang, who died last Thursday at 55 after a battle with brain cancer.
“It’s about Ang,” Giovino said. “It’s the respect for her. I feel bad (we) couldn’t respect her and her family by going.”
Giovino says they have no intention of crashing any of the memorial services for the larger-than-life reality star in the coming days. Instead, they’ll say goodbye to Big Ang by visiting her grave site later this week.
Angela Raiola best known as Big Ang star of the VH1 reality series, “Mob Wives” passed away on Feb. 18, 2016 after battling cancer. She was 55 years old. Her uncle, the late Salvatore “Sally Dogs” Lombardi, was a captain in the Genovese crime family.Angela “Big Ang” Raiola starred on the hit reality show “Mob Wives” for five season. Season 6, which Big Ang stars in, is currently airing on VH1.
Despite their willingness to move on from the unexpected funeral ban, a source close to the situation says the incident is proof that these longtime feuds don’t just disappear.
“It’s a bigger story than just them not going to funeral, as it’s a higher-up mob order from the mafia code of a blood feud,” the source said. “Brit and Karen are being rejected because of the sins of their fathers that ratted out other mobsters.” source: nydailynews.com
This is for VH1! Please DO NOT CANCEL MOB WIVES. Do not let this be THE LAST STAND! Angela would want the show to continue. There is still so much to learn about all of these amazing ladies.