Bravo fans have been buzzing with speculation ever since The Real Housewives of Rhode Island was announced earlier this month. One particularly juicy rumor suggested that Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dolores Catania might be part of the cast as a friend of. But according to Andy Cohen, things might not be as dramatic as they seem—at least not yet.
Speaking with PEOPLE during the grand opening of Universal Orlando Resorts’ new Epic Universe, Cohen addressed the swirling gossip head-on. “I think that’s been a little overstated,” he said of the Catania casting chatter. Still, he didn’t slam the door shut on the possibility: “It’s really about who’s in Rhode Island,” he added, keeping the mystery alive.
Dolores is reportedly said to be joining a friend of for the summer. That said, Andy Cohen is clearly excited about the newest addition to the ever-expanding Housewives universe. He teased that the Rhode Island series will feel familiar to longtime fans. “It’s Italian with a capital I,” he revealed, hinting at a cast dynamic similar to early seasons of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. “Early Jersey vibes,” he confirmed with a smile.
According to Bravo, the series will center around “a tight-knit circle of Rhode Islanders who have deep community roots and families that go back generations.” The show promises plenty of drama, with “aspirational lives, thriving businesses and tangled family dynamics,” all wrapped up in a place “so small, there’s no escaping your past… or each other.”
In addition to RHORI, Bravo also announced several other new and returning shows, including a reboot of Ladies of London, a spinoff called The Valley: Persian Style featuring stars from Shahs of Sunset, and a Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition.
Andy Cohen also gave a quick update on The Real Housewives of New York City, which wrapped its 15th season earlier this year. “There’s no real latest. We’re still… We’re just in between seasons,” he said, reassuring fans that the Big Apple still has plenty to offer. “We’re always casting, and we have some great possibilities.”
So, is Dolores Catania packing her bags for Providence? Not so fast. But with Cohen staying cagey and the promise of old-school Italian drama on the horizon, The Real Housewives of Rhode Island is already shaping up to be must-watch TV.
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