Dolores Catania knows The Real Housewives of New Jersey fans have been clamoring for season 15 — and assures Us it’ll be worth the wait.
“I felt like Bravo definitely wanted to go in a different direction and give something new, and it’s new in more ways than just new people,” Dolores, 55, exclusively shares in the latest Us cover story. “The girls are different than we were. It’s a new generation, new things. I’m excited for it. I really like the girls.”
In addition to Dolores and newly reunited sister-in-laws Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga, RHONJ season 15 will introduce several new faces: Malvina Blloshmi, Xio Cammarota, Juliette Collazo, Natia Rufolo, Deeba Patel and Vanessa Barrera.
“They’re excited, they’re hungry. So, what will appeal to it? No. 1 is to see Teresa and Melissa back together, and then, the excitement of getting to know new people,” Dolores teased of the new season. “These girls [have] had their own things, but they haven’t seen the wrath of us yet.”
She continued, “These ladies, I like them, [but] don’t think that they don’t cross each other. You’re not going to be bored this season. Trust me when I tell you, but it’s a [breath of fresh] air.”
Since the RHONJ newbies joined the show, Dolores has formed friendships with her new costars.
“I’m very close with Juliette, she’s funny. Juliette is witty and very principled,” the Real Housewives of Rhode Island alum said. “She’s a very — I want to say — morally correct person, and when she fights with someone, which you’ll see, I find her very funny. Like, her comebacks. She’s a powerhouse. I’ll tell you that.”
According to Dolores, Natia is a total “girl’s girl,” Vanessa is “the angel of the group,” Malvina is “very sweet” and Vanessa has been “a good friend.” She also noted that Deeba has completely entertained Melissa with “everything that comes out of her mouth.”
In addition to navigating the new group’s dynamics, Dolores is particularly excited that her family joined her for production as well.
“[Fans will] see my kids more. You see my family more, you see a lot of wedding planning,” she teased. “You don’t see a lot of my daughter [in past seasons] because she was always working or in school or doing conservation work in Africa somewhere. I like that you get to see more of my family this year.”
Dolores shares daughter Gabrielle, 31, and son Frankie Jr., 28, with ex-husband Frank Catania Sr. The now-exes celebrated their son’s wedding to wife Nicole Perricho in August, months after Gabrielle got engaged to Mike Tallia. (Dolores is also engaged herself, preparing to say “I do” with longtime love Paulie Connell.)
“There’s a beautiful family scene [where] we all sit down and talk, which I love,” she gushed. “You see a lot of me and Paul [too].”
For more on Real Housewives of New Jersey season 15, pick up the new issue of Us, on newsstands now.
