There’s been a quiet stir among Bravo fans after Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Dolores Catania spent the summer in Rhode Island with her longtime boyfriend, Paulie Connell.
In a recent Instagram post shared on Monday, September 15, Connell casually suggested that filming may have wrapped on The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, the franchise’s newest addition announced earlier this year.
“And that’s a wrap ? Rhode Island…..” he captioned a photo carousel from their summer travels. “Oh did we have a blast, so so impressed tbh, you have earned a special place in our hearts ? great people along with great food and so much Fun, RI you are in for a treat, Jersey Style! Stay tuned ?????.”
While it’s not unusual for Housewives to tease what’s happening behind the scenes, it’s a bit rarer to see that kind of update come from someone adjacent to the cast, especially a boyfriend.
Dolores added her own voice in the comments, keeping the energy high: “Best summer everrr so sad to leave ???????? stay tuned.”
Bravo first announced RHORI back in May, describing the new series as one that will explore “a tight-knit circle of Rhode Islanders who have deep community roots and families that go back generations.” According to the official synopsis, the show will highlight “aspirational lives, thriving businesses and tangled family dynamics” in a state where “there’s no escaping your past … or each other.”
Andy Cohen has already teased a familiar flavor for fans of early RHONJ.
“[The Rhode Island cast] are very Italian,” he told Page Six. “Rhode Island is such a small state, and they all kind of know each other and overlap, and it’s an incredible group of women who have really interesting connections. I think it’s going to really surprise people.”
For Dolores, the connection to Rhode Island might go deeper than just a summer getaway. Speaking to Us Weekly earlier this year, she reflected on her early impressions of the Ocean State: “It was my first time experiencing anything [outside] of New Jersey. It was insane,” she said, noting the “really strong Italian community” she found there. “They paint the streets with the Italian flag.”
Her first impression? Not quite what she expected. “When I first went there, I thought it was like Martha’s Vineyard,” she admitted. “Everybody was very blonde and everybody was [in] their sweaters and everything was very preppy to me.”
While there’s still no word on an official premiere date, or a confirmed cast list, Paulie Connell’s post suggests that filming is done.
Bravo may be keeping details under wraps for now, but if Rhode Island is anything like early Jersey, the fireworks could be just around the corner.
