Dolores’ Boyfriend and Frank’s Girlfriend Have Made Their RHONJ Debuts

Dolores Catania and her ex-husband, Frank, both took big steps in their relationships by introducing their partners — Paul Connell and Brittany Mattessich, respectively — to the world on the Season 13 premiere of The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

The episode, which aired February 7, first saw Frank’s girlfriend Brittany make her debut during Melissa Gorga’s ’80s-themed skate party. Dolores was also in attendance, and she confirmed in a confessional that Brittany has her approval. “I love Brittany,” she said. “They’ve dated back and forth over the years and they’re just a really great couple for each other.”

That is, “besides the age gap,” Dolores joked of the 25-year difference between 33-year-old Brittany and 58-year-old Frank. “Some of my dogs are older than Brittany.”

Dolores’ boyfriend, Paul, meanwhile, couldn’t attend the skating party because he was sick. Thankfully, he rallied to join the RHONJ husbands at Dolores’ photo shoot for a hunky calendar that aimed to raise money for charity.

“Oh my god, Dolores has a man!” Melissa yelled when Paul arrived. Later, she told him, “This is the mushiest I’ve ever seen her.”

Dolores agreed, adding in a confessional, “The dealbreaker for me with Paul was when he said, ‘If I’m gonna be your boyfriend, you have to let me help.’ And no one’s ever said that to me before. It made me totally drop my guard. Like, clean up on aisle eight. It was crazy.”

Watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey on Bravo Tuesdays at 9/8c and the next day on Peacock and the Bravo app.

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