Alexia Nepola Gets Emotional About Frankie Years After His Accident: Here's What's Next for Her Son
The RHOM cast member also shared where she stands with her ex-husband and gave a general update on her family.
The Real Housewives of Miami’s Alexia Nepola is getting real about some comments made in Season 5 of RHOM. During a Season 5 trip to the Bahamas, Adriana de Moura made a comment comparing her ankle injury to the accident that Alexia’s son Frankie had over a decade ago that left him with a brain injury.
Alexia opened up about Frankie in an emotional Instagram post in February 2023 (the same day a new episode of RHOM premiered on Peacock), noting that she was sharing the post because the topic came up in the episode that premiered on February 16, 2023 and she wanted to share her side of the heated moment with Adriana.
What happened to Alexia Nepola's son Frankie on The Real Housewives of Miami?
Frankie Echevarria was in a car accident back in 2011 that left him with a brain injury when he was just 13.
Alexia Nepola reacts to RHOM Season 5 Comments about her son
“I am doing this post today because a topic on our show addresses Frankie and I want the truth to be told from my voice,” she said. She added, "I will never recover from Frankie's accident," Echevarria said. "It's only my wish that he can continue to improve in time, and he can be as 'normal and productive' as his limitations allow. I will never accept the loss of my dreams for him, and I will never give up on him or Peter. Our pain is so deep."
(You can read her full statement on Instagram.)
How Alexia Nepola's son Frankie is doing today
Alexia opened up about her sons when speaking to The Daily Dish back in December 2022 and shared updates on their lives today, revealing, “Peter and Frankie are doing good. Peter is working at the Beauty Bar with me and figuring things out. Frankie, you’ll see him more this season and he’s trying to find a job.”
She further noted that they are focused on “more than anything the social aspect of it [for Frankie] and to set up more of a routine and structure and just realize that I need to make him more independent because he relies a lot on me and he has a lot of potential.”
In fact, her experience with Frankie has inspired her next project. “So I’ve been working on a book. I think that by writing, it’s very therapeutic for me,” she explained. “I started [writing a journal] when Frankie had the accident. And I think that that’s helped me just be able to be more open and free, and instead of being ashamed about the things that I was before, saying ‘wow’ about [them], I’m really proud of myself, and it’s really amazing. I’ve learned so much from life and from others, so I just wanted to write the book.”
Frankie also made a cameo on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in early 2022 alongside his mom.
Alexia shares an update on her relationship with her ex-husband
In addition to having a strong mom in their lives, her sons, Frankie and Peter, also remain close to their dad. Alexia revealed details on where she stands with her ex-husband today and how active he is in his sons’ lives as a co-parent.
“I’m friendly with him. We’re on very good terms. He’s so good to Frankie and to Peter. My kids adore him. They spend a lot of time with him,” she said of her first husband. “He gives them what I can’t give them, and I give my kids what he can’t give them. He can hang out with [my current husband] Todd [Nepola]. We all get along.”
What's next for Alexia's son Frankie Echevarria in 2023?
Frankie will appear in Season 6 of RHOM set to premiere with a supersized episode on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.
According to a press release for the new season, "Alexia battles rumors that there’s “trouble in paradise” with her marriage to Todd while doing everything in her power to help Frankie grow more independent. However, when Todd springs the news that they must unexpectedly move, Alexia worries how this will change her family dynamic."
Each episode will stream next day on Peacock. You can watch the trailer above to preview what's to come.
Originally published Feb 17, 2023.
