Southern Hospitality Recap: Joe’s Gay Rumors Postponed Maddi’s Romance
Maddie Reese, Joe Bradley. Bravo (2)
In the most recent episode of Southern Hospitality, Maddi Reese disclosed that speculation surrounding Joe Bradley’s sexual orientation postponed the beginning of their romance — and TJ Dinch played a significant role in it.
“Three or four years ago, TJ circulated several rumors that I was gay,” Joe confided to newcomer Austin Stephan during the Thursday, January 9, episode of the Bravo series.
Austin expressed his shock, revealing to Joe that TJ “would say the same kind of things to me. He directly told me that you were gay.”
Maddie, who is currently in a relationship with Joe, admitted that the gossip around town made her cautious in exploring her feelings for him.
“Three years ago, everyone was buzzing about the rumor,” Maddi reflected. “So, naturally, I somewhat believed TJ when he insinuated Joe was flirty, or fruity — whatever the term is. Gay.”
She acknowledged, “That was why I didn’t end up hooking up with Joe for an extended period.”
Since starting her relationship with Joe, Maddi has confirmed the rumors are unfounded. “Clearly, I’ve been intimate with Joe. I am intimate with Joe. He likes p—,” she asserted.
Joe, on his part, recounted that he approached TJ after hearing the rumors, but TJ denied any involvement.
“I confronted him, saying, ‘Why the hell would you say that to people?’ He insisted, ‘No, I would never say that. I didn’t tell anyone. I promise you it wasn’t me,’” Joe shared with the cameras, admitting, “Being a trusting person, I believed him. Now, I’m facing the consequences.”
Joe alleged that his former best friend “makes you think you can trust him and then he betrays you.”
In addition to supposedly perpetuating rumors about his sexuality, Joe expressed frustration with TJ for divulging that he had an encounter with Luann de Lesseps in January 2024, which he had confided in him privately.
“That’s when it dawned on me. TJ is the one spreading the word that I’m gay,” Joe stated during Thursday’s episode. “Because he’s known for his talk.”
TJ Dinch and Joe Bradley. Paul Cheney/Bravo
Us reported in January 2024 that Joe and Luann, 59, were seen getting cozy at a NYC hotel after meeting on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen.
During the season 2 Southern Hospitality reunion the following month, TJ told host Andy Cohen that he was “99 percent” certain Joe and Luann had hooked up, a claim Joe denied.
During the season 3 premiere, which aired on January 2, TJ mentioned he hadn’t spoken to Joe for months since their reunion drama.
Despite this, TJ remained firm in asserting that Joe not only kissed Luann but “cheated” on his then-girlfriend, Danielle Olivera, with the Real Housewives of New York City star. (Danielle, 36, announced her split from Joe in February 2024.)
Courtesy of Emmy Sharrett/Instagram The Southern Hospitality cast arrived with intensity during the season 3 premiere — and not everyone was on friendly terms. “He’s going to screw you over!” TJ Dinch warned Emmy Sharrett during the early moments of the Thursday, January 2, premiere, after multiple cast members alleged that her boyfriend, […]
Joe played a bit elusive regarding the specifics of his encounter with Luann during the season 3 premiere but did confirm to Us in December 2024 that he “kissed” her. He insisted he wasn’t hiding anything but remained frustrated with TJ for breaking his trust.
This season, trust issues have prominently surfaced, especially since Maddi maintains a friendship with TJ, which Joe admitted causes him concern. (Joe and Maddi told Us exclusively that they have been dating since April 2024, coinciding with the period when filming resumed.)
“It also annoyed me a bit that you were being so friendly with him,” Joe expressed to Maddi about her interaction with TJ at a group gathering just a week prior.
Maddi, however, insisted that her friendship with TJ should not impact her relationship with Joe.
Joe Bradley and Maddie Reese. Bryan Steffy/Bravo
“You can maintain a friendship and still set boundaries,” she explained to Joe. “You know you can’t share your deepest secrets with [TJ]; you clearly get that, but there’s no reason he can’t be your friend.”
Joe remarked, “The issues I have with TJ run much deeper.” Maddi highlighted that they were avoiding “the elephant in the room.”
Viewers will continue witnessing Joe and TJ’s conflict as new episodes air. In fact, Joe shared exclusively with Us prior to the season’s kickoff that TJ’s “mindset” will “make a lot more sense once you see it.”
He teased, “Some believe that he has feelings for me; I think that’s behind us, but who knows? This season, people will discover TJ’s true colors and understand his behavior towards me.”
Southern Hospitality can be seen on Bravo every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET.
