Dolores Catania‘s boyfriend, Paul “Paulie” Connell, offered an update on the Real Housewives of New Jersey cast’s relationships with Luis Ruelas as he and Dolores, as well as costar Jennifer Aydin, attended the MTV Music Video Awards on Tuesday.
Following the explosive season 13 reunion, during which Teresa Giudice‘s husband, 48, was accused of investigating his co-stars, Paulie addressed the cast’s dynamics as he teased his wedding plans with Dolores, 52, and she and Jennifer opened up about the new season, including Jackie Goldschneider‘s alleged efforts to reclaim her full-time role.
“Jackie’s getting into a bit of drama. Do you guys think she’s trying to get a spot back?” Page Six asked the ladies at the September 12 event in New York City.
“I think Jackie’s just trying to be Jackie. She was happier in this anyway. Like it was a weight lifted off her shoulders,” Jennifer shared.
“Jackie has her book coming out, and she’s very excited for that,” Dolores added.
Then, when asked if alliances have shifted amid production season 14, Dolores teased, “Stay tuned.”
“Well, listen, we never disappoint. Has [RHONJ] ever disappointed? Every year, we say, how do we top it?” she continued.
And while the ladies were also questioned about Teresa, 51, and Melissa Gorga, 44, who are said to be refusing to film with one another, Jennifer immediately changed the subject.
Following claims that Jackie, 46, unfollowed Rachel Fuda, 32, on Instagram and is “fighting” with Margaret Josephs, 56, over her book deal, All About the Real Housewives offered an update on the cast drama, noting that Rachel is also at odds with Jennifer Fessler, as is Danielle Cabral, 36.
“[They] don’t like each other,” an insider said of Danielle and Jennifer Fessler.
Meanwhile, Teresa is said to be at odds with Rachel and Danielle, who she believes is a “flip-flopper.”
As for the cast’s relationship with Luis, Paulie admitted the dynamic is “different.”
“The energy is a little different at this moment,” Paulie, who said he’s a “fan” of everyone, admitted to Page Six on September 12. “[But] I think it’s going to make itself work around.”
“It’s kind of hard not to be involved in the drama because it’s a lot of drama, but I think I do pretty good to stay away from that,” he added.
As for his and Dolores’ future, Paulie said he still has to “wait for the divorce [from his ex-wife]” to be finalized before they can get married.
“I think we have a plan that’s in effect that we believe is going to be within our time schedule. She’s happy about that, so am I, so I think everybody else will be,” he confirmed, noting that whether they wed on RHONJ will be “up to [Dolores].”
“I’m, like, new to this whole thing, so whatever she wants goes,” he explained.
While Dolores and Paulie have been dating since late 2021, things between him and Dolores’ ex-husband, Frank Catania, have been rocky at times. That said, Paulie credited their challenges to the two of them “finding ground” amid the changing family dynamic.
“I like Frank. Frank likes me. I think we’re good. I think it’s a good blend right now at the moment, so hopefully it stays that way,” he said.
He then joked that when he and Dolores do tie the knot, Frank will likely take the opportunity to be his typical joking self.
“He’ll probably be the guy that stands up [at the wedding] and says, ‘Does anyone have a problem?,’ ‘Yes, I do,’” Paulie laughed. “But yeah, he’ll probably be at the wedding, for sure.”
The Real Housewives of New Jersey season 14 is expected to premiere on Bravo sometime in 2024.