She met her new beau via a mutual friend.
While Dolores Catania’s relationship with David Principe is expected to play out in season 12 of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly that the twosome are in a totally different place today.
“Dolores and David broke up this past summer. There was no bad blood between them,” the source tells US Weekly, adding that they “grew apart” and their romance “didn’t progress” into what Catania had hoped for when they began dating in 2017.
Catania’s romance has previously been a source of discussion on “RHONJ,” with her co-stars wondering whether Principe would ever propose. The real housewife, according to the insider, “didn’t care if they were going to get engaged,” but the lack of time spent together was a factor in the breakup.
The source also stated that the New Jersey star “gave her all,” but David didn’t reciprocate. “He was non-existent in her social life and rarely made appearances at events with her.”
“They just had different lives and weren’t able to make it work. She wasn’t happy in the inside and for a while she hid her true feelings from friends.”
Earlier this year, the Bravo celebrity spoke up about how her choice to get cosmetic surgery caused her and Principe to fall out.
In March, Catania told the outlet, “It’s not a matter of what I needed, it’s what I wanted. I’m not about what somebody else thinks I need in my life. I’ve been through enough.”
“He really was angry. He was so mad at me and he didn’t let up on it. I let him be mad for a little while and then I had to say, ‘Listen, you either live with it or we just have to move on.’ There has been some stress, family stress fractures in the relationship.”
Catania is “happy” in her current relationship with Paul Connell, whom she met via a mutual acquaintance after breaking up with Principe.
“[Dolores is] with him constantly. She likes him a lot and they have a lot in common,” according to the source. “She’s attracted to him on a deeper level, especially his charitable side and giving back which is something she does all the time.”
Although the new pair won’t be shown during season 12 since they met together after shooting, Dolores has hinted on social media that they have “amazing chemistry.” During a recent trip to St. Martin, the New Jersey native flaunted her new beau.
Reactions to RHONJ Dolores Catania Is Seeing Someone New After Her Divorce From David
as 👏🏼 she 👏🏼 shouldVE 👏🏼 been 😭 so happy for this gorgeous queen fr
as 👏🏼 she 👏🏼 shouldVE 👏🏼 been 😭 so happy for this gorgeous queen fr https://t.co/UMRQgp6VB6
— mauricio’s smoke buddy (@nonasredsauce) December 20, 2021
Finally. I didn’t like David!!
Finally. I didn’t like David!! https://t.co/pzCzKPgyUg
— Jasmine (@jas_janielynn) December 20, 2021
NEW BOO ALERT IN NEW JERSEY
NEW BOO ALERT IN NEW JERSEY https://t.co/B1SfmEKRc9
— Bravalita (@Bravalita) December 20, 2021
Dolores is in my Top 5 Housewives, and I’m SOOOOO glad she has a chance to be truly happy, because Dr. David was NOT it! #RHONJ
Dolores is in my Top 5 Housewives, and I’m SOOOOO glad she has a chance to be truly happy, because Dr. David was NOT it! #RHONJ https://t.co/IOvKVHpcmG
— Mary Cosby’s Closet: Here for the Housewives’ Mess (@Abcdiva1) December 20, 2021
About time! That David man was the least compassionate man I’ve ever seen on a Hw show. I think he was just waiting for Dolores to pull the plug cause he didn’t have the balls to do it #RHONJ
About time! That David man was the least compassionate man I’ve ever seen on a Hw show. I think he was just waiting for Dolores to pull the plug cause he didn’t have the balls to do it #RHONJ https://t.co/Sn9X9HYsYt
— Morally Corrupt Maria Resnick (@corruptpartdeux) December 20, 2021
I’m sorry but that’s some Jersey shore James Corden dupe.
I’m sorry but that’s some Jersey shore James Corden dupe. https://t.co/2tkMoOUsZU
— the reality is (@therealityispod) December 20, 2021
Yassss
Yassss https://t.co/llV8DfCiTH
— Sandi Yeeks (@2Titties_1Chain) December 20, 2021