Southern Hospitality Recap: Joe Gay Rumors Delayed Maddi’s Romance

During the last episode of Southern Hospitality, Maddie Reese revealed that rumors about Joe Bradley‘s sexuality delayed the start of their relationship – and TJ Dinch was to blame.

“Three or four years ago, TJ spread a bunch of rumors that I was gay,” Joe told a newbie. Austin Stéphane during the Thursday, January 9 episode of the Bravo show.

Austin wasn’t surprised by the revelation, telling Joe that TJ “was telling me the same thing.” He would flat out tell me you were gay.

Maddie, who is currently dating Joe, admitted that the stories circulating around town made her hesitant to act on her feelings for him.

“Three years ago, everyone was talking about the rumor,” Maddi remembers. “So, of course, I kinda believed TJ when he told me Joe was attractive, or fruity, or what’s the word?” Gays.

She confessed: “That’s the reason why I didn’t meet Joe for a long time.”

Maddi said that since she started seeing Joe, she can confirm that the rumors are not true. “Obviously I slept with Joe. I’m sleeping with Joe. He likes p…” she said.

Joe, for his part, said he confronted TJ when he heard the rumors, but TJ vehemently denied that he started them.

“I said, ‘Why the hell would you tell people that?’ And he said, “No, I would never say that.” I would never tell anyone. I promise you I didn’t do it,'” Joe told the cameras, admitting, “As I’m a very trusting person, I believed him. And now I’m paying for it.

Joe claimed his former best friend “makes you think you can trust him and then he’ll fuck you up.”

In addition to allegedly spreading rumors about his sexuality, Joe took issue with TJ telling people he had a relationship with Luann de Lesseps in January 2024 when he said he told her the truth in complete confidence.

“That’s when it hit me. It’s TJ who tells people I’m gay,” Joe said during Thursday’s episode. “Because he is the mouth of the South.”

We reported in January 2024 that Joe and Luann, 59, were spotted getting cozy at a New York hotel after meeting during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.

During season 2 Southern Hospitality meeting the following month, TJ told the host Andy Cohen he was “99%” sure that Joe and Luann had connected. Joe has denied the allegations.

TJ revealed during the Season 3 premiere, which aired on January 2, that he hadn’t spoken to Joe in months since their reunion drama.

TJ, however, remained adamant that not only had Joe kissed Luann, but he had also “cheated” on his then-girlfriend, Danielle Oliverawith the The Real Housewives of New York alum. (Danielle, 36, confirmed her split from Joe in February 2024.)

Related: ‘Southern Hospitality’ Premiere: Where Are Emmy and Will, and Other Couples?

Courtesy of Emmy Sharrett/Instagram The cast of Southern Hospitality had a big presence during the Season 3 premiere — and not everyone was on speaking terms. “He’s going to fuck you up!” TJ Dinch warned Emmy Sharrett in the first minutes of the premiere on Thursday, January 2, after several of their comrades claimed that her boyfriend, (…)

Joe played a little coy about what exactly happened with Luann in the Season 3 premiere, but he confirmed to We in December 2024, he “kissed” her. He claimed he wasn’t trying to hide anything, but was still angry at TJ for betraying his trust.

These trust issues have been at the forefront so far this season — especially since Maddi is still friends with TJ, which Joe admitted worries him. (Joe and Maddi exclusively told We that they have been dating since April 2024, which is around the time the cameras started rolling again.)

“It also kind of annoyed me that you were so buddy-buddy with him,” Joe told Maddi on the new episode, referencing his conversation with TJ at a group party a week prior.

Maddi, however, maintained that her friendship with TJ should not affect her relationship with Joe.

“You can be friends with someone and have boundaries,” she told her boyfriend. “You know you can’t trust (TJ) with your life to the grave, you obviously know that, but there’s no reason he can’t be your friend.”

Joe said, “TJ and I’s issues run much deeper.” Maddi emphasized that they are not “addressing the elephant in the room.”

Fans will continue to see Joe and TJ’s drama unfold with each new episode. In fact, Joe exclusively said We before the season, TJ’s “state of mind” will make a lot more sense once you watch it.

He teased, “Some people think he has feelings for me, (but) I think it’s in the past, but who knows? This season everyone will find out TJ’s true colors and why he acts like he is towards me.

Southern Hospitality airs on Bravo Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.