Joe Giudice sheds light on daughter Milania’s struggles after breakdown at airport

Joe Giudice is asking the public to have compassion for his daughter Milania Giudice after her recent airport incident.

In an exclusive statement to Page Six, the former “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star revealed Milania, 20, has been struggling privately while coping with the loss of a close friend and the pressures that come with growing up in the public eye.

“Milania is a good girl. She has a big heart, she loves deeply, and she cares enormously about the people in her life,” Joe, 54, said. “She is also young and going through a very difficult period right now.”

Joe said the death of Milania’s close friend Victoria Zardoya in July “affected” his daughter “tremendously,” adding that she has been trying to process the loss while dealing with life in the spotlight.

“Losing someone you love is incredibly painful, and grief does not have a timeline,” he said. “She has been trying to process that loss while also dealing with the pressures that come with growing up in the public eye.”

The former “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” star also cautioned against judging Milania based on what is captured in a single moment.

“I know my daughter. I know her heart, and I know that what people may see from the outside does not tell the whole story of what someone is experiencing privately,” he said.

“There have been difficult moments, but those moments do not define who Milania is as a person.”

Joe, who is represented by Dominton Talent House, added, “I love my daughter, and I will always stand beside her.”

His comments come after Milania was captured in a since-deleted video getting into a heated exchange with her mother, Teresa Giudice, 54, and older sister, Gia Giudice, 25, at an airport while surrounded by police.

In the clip, Milania repeatedly asked, “This is what we do now?” as Teresa told her, “I love you.” Gia then told her mother to “let her do what she wants to do” before Milania snapped at Teresa, sayiing “Shut the f–k up!”

The video offered little context for what prompted the confrontation, but an incident report obtained by Page Six provided more details about what led to the chaos.

Milania Giudice was “having suicidal thoughts” and a “mental breakdown” around the time of her encounter with her mom and sister at Tampa International Airport in Florida on Wednesday, according to the report.

Cops were notified that “multiple females need police ASAP,” that Milania “got away” and that she had been separated from a counselor who was traveling with Milania, Gia and Teresa.

Milania was located about 10 minutes later and received a police escort to her gate. There was no arrest or medical transport.

Milania was “just released” from a nearby hospital, according to law enforcement sources who spoke to US Sun.

The airport incident came months after Milania was arrested in New Jersey on a simple assault charge stemming from a domestic dispute at her mother’s home.

Milania was arrested May 14 after police responded to the New Jersey home of her mother and stepfather, Luis Ruelas, 51.

According to a police report, Milania was “throwing food [and] candles” during the dispute, while her sister Gabriella Giudice called 911 and reported that she was “acting erratically.” No weapons or injuries were reported.

A judge later alleged during Milania’s arraignment that she struck the alleged victim, identified only as “LR,” in the head with her fist, causing redness to the the person’s forehead. Milania pleaded not guilty.

Milania subsequently enrolled in anger management classes as part of the ongoing case. Her attorney told a judge in August that they were postponing her hearing to allow her to complete the course.

For Joe, however, the focus continues to be supporting his daughter as she works through what he described as an especially painful chapter.

“As her father, my priority is making sure my daughter knows that she is loved and supported,” he said.

“Our family is doing everything we can to be there for her and give her the support and space she needs right now.”