Dolores Catania Explains Why BF Paulie and Ex Frank Are “Not Alike” (UPDATED)

UPDATED (April 5, 10:10 A.M.): Dolores Catania opened up more about her relationship with Paul “Paulie” Connell when she appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on April 4.

During the appearance in the Clubhouse, the pair's relationship was a hot topic. And, of course, that means her ex-husband, Frank Catania, also came up as well. After viewers were asked in a poll, "Who's the better match for Dolores?," Dolores revealed her opinion on the matter. The Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member didn't have to say much but it was clear her pick is Paulie, who was in the audience.

She also played a game in which she was asked to compare her current love to her former husband. So if you're looking for more info on Dolores and Paulie? Well, you can check out the clip to find out what she had to share. Check out the clip above for the scoop.

Dolores' appearance on WWHL came on the same night that during the April 4 episode of RHONJ, viewers got to go inside Paulie's home. More on that from The Real Housewives of New Jersey After Show, below.

The original story continues below.

In case you missed it, Dolores Catania recently shared on Instagram a sweet update about her life with her boyfriend, Paul “Paulie” Connell. Alongside a snuggly selfie with her partner, she opened up about some recent travels they went on and how thankful she is to have him in her life.

“One of the best gifts in the world is a lifetime of adventures,” she wrote. “What an amazing trip.”

Weeks prior, Paulie shed new light on their relationship, and he revealed all about why he cares so much for The Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member on Instagram. He shared a photo of Dolores with no makeup on, noting in the November post that “this photo here reminds me of the person that I fell in love with... A natural kind easy-going understanding person, who will fight for what’s right, and when she has your back nothing else matters, but if you cross her you will find out the hard way. Trust me.”

How Dolores Met Paulie

While Dolores and Paulie have traveled the world together, fans may not be fully aware of how they met. In that November Instagram, Paulie recalled their first encounter: “For you guys that don’t know this, I met this amazing woman in this photograph over a year ago,” he wrote. “We met at an Apple store, no cameras, no fans, no crowds, no makeup. Just two people waiting [in line] to get their phones fixed. When I met this beautiful woman I didn’t know about reality TV celebrity status or any of the above. Oh boy, but I do now. LOL.”

What Is Paulie’s Job?

According to his Instagram profile, he’s an “entrepreneur.”

He’s a Dad

Back in September, Paulie posted about his sons, writing on Instagram, “September 28th is not the only day you appreciate your [sons] but it’s definitely a day you get to brag a little more if you like. Just so proud of the achievements that my boys are accomplishing and the kindness that they show. If there’s one thing you can teach/give your children, it’s the right to be nice appreciate support, and most of all understanding.”

He Loves Animals

Just like Dolores, Paulie has a soft spot for animals and has pets.

Dolores Compares Paulie and Her Ex-Husband, Frank Catania

Fans learned a bit more about Dolores and Paulie in the past year, and in a recent interview with The Daily Dish, Dolores revealed all about their romance, including weighing in on any Paulie and Frank Catania comparisons.

“No, they’re not alike. Frank and [I] grew up in the same era. He’s like Frank was maybe 30 years ago. Paulie is a lot like a boyfriend I had in 1988,” she said, adding “even though he grew up across the world and in another country [Ireland]. There’s such a familiarity to me that I love within him. That’s my attraction. He’s good-looking. He’s funny. He’s introduced me to, like, new music [and] drinking. I drink whiskey now, I’ve been to Ireland twice [at the time of the interview]. He took me to meet his family. And we do a lot of things together. It’s a different thing. It’s an old-school kind of relationship.”

Are Dolores and Paulie Living Together?

While Dolores says she “spend[s] a lot of time at Paulie’s house,” she noted in the interview with The Daily Dish, which took place back in the fall, that while she “[doesn’t] officially live [at Paulie’s house],” she does “spend a lot of time there.”

Will Dolores and Paulie Marry? She Says…

Last May, Paulie noted that he and Dolores were “doing a lot of talking” about their next steps, including the prospect of marriage, and now we know how Dolores feels about it.

“I don’t know. I feel like I’m the type of person that I don’t think about things,” she said. “I don’t get nervous about things. I don’t manifest things. I just let life unfold and things happen. And I deal with it when it happens, ’cause I like surprises. And also, I don’t like disappointment. So by me expecting things or whatever, I expect of course respect. I expect intentions for a future when I spend time with a man because my time is very important.”

She continued, “And my age is… I’m not young anymore, so if I’m putting some time into somebody, it better be somewhat serious, right? There’s the intentions of a future. We’re in a serious relationship. But tomorrow is not promised to anyone. So I always cross the bridge when I get to it. I always tell my friends, like when they give me a hard time about my last relationship [with David Principe], I would always say, ‘Don’t. I’m so independent, don’t worry about me.’”

He'll Appear on RHONJ Season 13

Get ready for an inside look at Dolores and Paulie's relationship in the new season of RHONJ (check out the trailer above!). 

The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 13 premieres Tuesday, February 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT with a 75-minute supersized episode. Each week, the episode will stream next day on Peacock. 

Watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey on Peacock and the Bravo app.