A new report is revealing why Dolores Catania broke up with Dr. David Principe, as she shared a photo of herself with a man named Paul Connell over the weekend as she enjoyed a getaway in St. Martin. And now, days later, it is being reported that Paul, who she described as her “favorite lifeguard,” is her new boyfriend.
As new details are shared regarding the Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member’s split from David, which reportedly transpired this past summer amid filming on season 12, fans are also learning more about Paul and his relationship with Dolores.
“My favorite lifeguard,” Dolores captioned a December 19 selfie of herself and Paul on Instagram.
Although the upcoming 12th season will reportedly see moments of Dolores’ relationship with David, the couple, who began dating in 2017, ultimately called it quits months ago.
“Dolores and David broke up this past summer. There was no bad blood between them,” an insider explained to Us Weekly on December 20, noting that they “grew apart” and that their romance “didn’t progress” as Dolores had hoped.
According to the report, Dolores “didn’t care if they were going to get engaged.” Instead, it was the lack of time they spent together that impacted their decision to call it quits.
“She gave her all but didn’t get the same from David,” the insider explained. “He was non-existent in her social life and rarely made appearances at events with her. They just had different lives and weren’t able to make it work. She wasn’t happy in the inside and for a while she hid her true feelings from friends.”
As fans of RHONJ will recall, Dolores’ decision to get plastic surgery led to tension between her and David.
“It’s not a matter of what I needed, it’s what I wanted. I’m not about what somebody else thinks I need in my life. I’ve been through enough,” she admitted to Us Weekly in March. “He really was angry. He was so mad at me and he didn’t let up on it. I let him be mad for a little while and then I had to say, ‘Listen, you either live with it or we just have to move on.’ There has been some stress, family stress fractures in the relationship.”
Following the breakup, Dolores was introduced to Paul by a mutual friend.
“[Dolores is] with him constantly. She likes him a lot and they have a lot in common,” the source shared. “She’s attracted to him on a deeper level, especially his charitable side and giving back which is something she does all the time.”
The insider went on to say that while fans won’t see Paul on season 12, Dolores is really “happy” with the new relationship and has “amazing chemistry” with him.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey season 12 premieres on Tuesday, February 1, at 8/7c on Bravo.