Rumors are swirling that “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Dolores Catania is making a move to “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island,” but it may not be a permanent one.
Weeks after Bravo announced the launch of the latest “Real Housewives” franchise, an insider told Us Weekly that Catania has an “authentic” connection to the upcoming series. “Dolores may be appearing on ‘The Real Housewives of Rhode Island,’ but not necessarily in a friend or full-time capacity,” the source explained to the outlet. “She has authentic roots there, and the idea is she would set a tone but not as an official cast member.”
The insider clarified that nothing is official regarding Catania joining RHORI as a “guest” or in any other capacity at this time.
Catania, 54, has been a main cast member on RHONJ for eight seasons and has appeared as a “guest” and “friend’ in others. She was also a popular cast member on the Peacock competition series “The Traitors,” where she landed as a winner in Season 3.
There Are Rumors That Dolores Catania Will Rent a House in Rhode Island This Summer
NBCUMV
Bravo announced the Rhode Island-based “Real Housewives” series in early May. A press release posted by the network teased that the new show will follow “the world of a tight-knit circle of Rhode Islanders,” some of whom have been friends for decades.
While the cast not been announced by Bravo, a source told OK magazine that Catania is friends with one of the women who was cast for RHORI. “[Dolores] will rent a summer house there and will be a friend of the Housewives,” the insider claimed. “She could inevitably become a full-time cast member and move to Rhode Island if she takes off on that show,” the insider added.
Andy Cohen Didn’t Totally Deny the Rumors
Bravo
Bravo executive producer Andy Cohen was put on the spot about the casting rumors—and he didn’t totally shut down the possibility that Catania could be making a cameo on RHORI.
In an interview with People magazine, Cohen was asked about the casting rumor, and he replied, “I think that’s been a little overstated.” He added, “It’s really about who’s in Rhode Island.”
Cohen told Page Six that the RHORI women are “more Italian” with “deep families” than other “Real Housewives” franchises. “[It] does kind of remind you of early ‘Jersey’ in a weird way,” he added.
“They are very Italian,” he added of the new cast. “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.”
The rumored RHORI cast will allegedly include Brianna La Torre, Jo-Ellen Tiberi, Elizabeth McGraw, Monique Pass, Rosie Woods, Alicia Carmody, Stephanie Costa, and Kelsey Swanson, per Reality Blurb and other outlets. Catania has not spoken out about the casting rumors.
