Southern Hospitality Recap: Gay rumors about Joe delayed Maddi's romance

During the last episode Southern hospitality, Maddie Reese revealed that rumors of Joe Bradleysexuality delayed the start of their relationship—and TJ Dinch was guilty.

“Three or four years ago, TJ spread a bunch of rumors that I was gay,” Joe said. beginner Austin Stephens during the Thursday, Jan. 9, episode of the Bravo show.

Austin wasn't surprised by the revelation, as Joe said TJ “used to tell me the same s…”. He would tell me right away that you are gay.

Maddie, who is currently dating Joe, admitted that the stories around town made her hesitant to act on her feelings for him.

“Three years ago, everyone was talking about rumours,” Maddi recalled. “So of course I believed TJ when he told me Joe was flirty or fertile or what's the word? Gay.”

She admitted: “That was the reason I didn't talk to Joe for a long time.”

Maddi said that since she started dating Joe, she can confirm that the rumors are not true. “Apparently, I've slept with Joe. I sleep with Joe. He likes to p…,” she declared.

Joe, in turn, said he confronted TJ when he heard the rumours, but TJ vehemently denied starting them.

“I said, 'Why would you say that to people?' And he said, 'No, I would never say that. I would never say that to anybody. I promise you I didn't,'” Joe told the cameras, admitting, “Because I a very reliable person, I believed in it, and now I am paying for it.

Joe claimed that his former best friend “makes you believe that you can trust him and then he'll make it.”

In addition to spreading rumors about his sexuality, Joe was upset that TJ was telling people that he had been hooking up with Luan de Lesseps In January 2024, when he said he was faithfully told the truth.

“That's when it hit me. TJ is the one telling people I'm gay,” Joe said on Thursday's episode. “Because he's the mouth of the South.”

We In January 2024, news broke that Joe and Luann, 59, were spotted getting cozy In a New York hotel after they met during a performance Watch what happens live with Andy Cohen.

2 during the season Southern hospitality reunion next month, TJ told the host Andy Cohen he was 99 percent sure that Joe and Luan had connected. Joe denied the charges.

TJ revealed during the season 3 premiere, which aired on January 2that he hadn't spoken to Joe in months since their reunion drama.

However, TJ remained adamant that Joe didn't just kiss Luann “cheated” on his then girlfriend, Daniel Oliverwith The Real Housewives of New York alum. (Danielle, 36, confirmed she and Joe broke up in February 2024.)

Related: 'Southern Hospitality' premiere: Where are Emmy and Will, more couples?

Courtesy of Emmy Sharrett/Instagram The cast of Southern Hospitality was very popular during the Season 3 premiere, and not everyone was on speaking terms. “He'll outplay you!” TJ Dinch warned Emmy Charette in the opening minutes of the premiere on Thursday, January 2, after several of their costars claimed that her boyfriend (…)

Joe played it a little smart about what happened to Luann during the Season 3 premiere, but he did confirm to We in December 2024 that he “kissed” her. He claimed he wasn't trying to hide anything, but was still upset with TJ for breaking his trust.

Those trust issues have been front and center so far this season — especially since Maddi is still friends with TJ, which Joe admitted worries him. (Only Joe and Maddie narrated We that they have been dating since April 2024which is right around the time the cameras rolled back.)

“I was also annoyed that you were so friends with him,” Jo told Madi during the new episode, referring to her conversation with TJ at the group party a week earlier.

However, Maddi maintained that her friendship with TJ should not affect her relationship with Joe.

“You can be friends with someone and have boundaries,” she told her friend. “You know you can't trust (TJ) to your grave, you sure do, but there's no reason why he can't be your friend.”

Joe claimed, “Me and TJ's issues are much deeper.” Maddi pointed out that they're not “addressing the elephant in the room.”

Fans will continue to see Joe and TJ's drama unfold with each new episode. Actually, Joe was just telling We before the season that TJ's “mindset” will “make a lot more sense when you watch it.”

He teased, “Some people think he has feelings for me, (but) I think that's in the past, but who knows? This season, everyone will learn TJ's true colors and why he treats me the way he does .

Southern hospitality on Bravo Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.