Shannon Storms Beador Shares New Details on John Janssen Split: “I Couldn’t Stop Crying”

Shannon Storms Beador went public about her recent breakup with John Janssen on January 12, and now she’s shedding more light on the split and where they stand today.

The Real Housewives of Orange County cast member made an appearance on Jeff Lewis Live to do so, but not before thanking the Radio Andy host — whom she’s known for several years — for “forcing” her to go out the night before. “Yesterday was a really, really hard day for me and I couldn’t stop crying,” Shannon told Jeff. “And I don’t know how I would’ve handled things had I just been sitting at home.”

Trying not to cry, she then reiterated how “blindsided” she was by John breaking things off, especially considering that they “were in a great place.” What’s more, John had apparently told Shannon he was ready to take their relationship to “the next level.” 

“I got teary-eyed with the words that he was saying and I thought, ‘God, we are gonna get there,’” Shannon recalled. “I just thought whatever the next step is, we’re gonna take it. I remember tearing up and I remember saying very kind things to him.”

Less than a week later, in the final days of November, John told Shannon he was “done with the relationship,” she said, adding that despite their abrupt split, “I have never loved anyone close to as much as I loved John, [and] I wanted everything for the entire time to work out.”

But when Jeff suggested the possibility of a reconciliation, Shannon shut down the idea. “It’s over, Jeff,” she told him. “The last time I spoke to John was beginning of December. So I’ve never gone for this amount of time not speaking to him. It’s a big deal.”

John echoed this sentiment in a statement to People, explaining that the breakup was a “super hard” decision for him to make.

“I’ve been in pain over it. It’s sad because I love Shannon very much,” John said. “I have loved her more deeply than any woman in my life. She’s one of a kind; so funny and generous and full of life and adventurous. We have a connection that’s unlike anything I’ve ever had. And I know that for as long as I live, I’ll never meet anyone like her again. But that doesn’t mean we’re right for each other for the rest of our lives.”

He continued, “The last thing I wanted to do is hurt Shannon, but I do think I did the right thing for the both of us. We’re two people who love each other very much, but love is not always enough. And while I know Shannon sees it as I’ve said things to her I never meant, I hope she’ll be able to see that there’s no bad person here. It’s two really good people who couldn’t make it work.”

Watch The Real Housewives of Orange County on Peacock and the Bravo app.