Like a lot of theReal Housewives,The Real Housewives of New JerseyandThe TraitorsstarDolores Cataniahas had a unique experience with love. Although fans have been supportive of her love life, some have raised eyebrows when she started dating her current boyfriendPaulie Connell, ashe was still married. Finally,after 14 years of separation,Connell’s divorce date has been set.
The couple appeared onSiriusXM’s Jeff Lewis Live,where they discussed Connell’s divorce. In the interview, Lewis pointed out how happy they are, and questioned whyRHONJfans arepressuring them into marriage. Catania explained that they “support each other.” “We get along. We do things together, andwe’re happy with the way things are.” Connell chimed in and said, “You get engaged, and they want you to get married the next day. It’s just the way it is.You just have to get used to that.” Connell reveals that the date of his divorce has been set, which is “next week.”
Dolores Catania’s Relationship Has Come Under Fire
Although many fans have expressed that they were happy for Catania, other fans raised concerns due toConnell’s marriage status. In the interview, Catania notes how the fans have had good intentions regarding their responses to her marriage choices. “They’re not like, ‘Oh, you’re not getting married.’ For them, that’s what they would want for me,” she said.She also notes how fans have criticized her relationship,but insists thatshe does not care about what people say.
Despite Connell being married, Catania has revealed thatshe has not pushed him into finalizing his divorce. Instead, she is focusing on their relationship and their happiness. “Unless I wanted to really get married,I’m not pushing him to do things to force this,” she previously said toUs Weekly.“But in all fairness, for us to be at the relationship we are, he should not be married and, yeah, I expect a divorce. [I don’t expect] a ring [or] marriage. If it comes great,but that has to be [after a divorce].”
Is Marriage Now on the Table for the ‘RHONJ’ Couple?
Although Connell’s divorce is fast-moving, Catania is not rushing to get married anytime soon. As many know,Catania has been divorced from her ex-husband Frank Cataniafor nearly thirty years. She and Connell met on a blind date in 2021, and things have been smooth between the couple.
Regarding marriage, Catania said, “It’s so funny because a lot of people are always talking about marriage. They want to see you get married.But that’s not my goal. My goal is to be in a relationship that’s peaceful and loving and where you grow together and thenmaybe marriage comes along further down the road. I’ve beendivorced for 26 years.”
“I’m not against marriage, especially for younger women, but I’m older now and our lives are so easy the way things are going,” she continued. “It’s a harmonious relationship. We get along, we’re happy. And as I say, if marriage comes along down the road then that’s fine and I’m sure I’ll be happy, butI’m okay with the way things are now, too.”
