Why Bravo's Joe Bradley finally admitted to kissing Luann de Lesseps

Joe Bradley He's done keeping secrets, especially when it comes to his rumored relationship Luan de Lesseps.

“I think enough time has passed that I'm tired of the rumors and lies,” Joe said exclusively. Us Weekly When asked why he finally admitted to kissing Luann, 59, last year.

the Southern hospitality The star claimed that he was “never self-conscious or trying to hide the fact that I kissed her, because Luann is creative.”

Joe claimed that the reason he remained silent for so long was because he “didn't want to get hurt.” Danielle (Oliveira)Feelings of “since they were hanging out at the time.

“We weren't technically Her boyfriend and girlfriend “During that period, but I knew what that looked like, and I don't like when people's feelings get hurt by my actions,” Joe explained. “That's why I try to hide everything.”

we News broke in January 2024 that Joe and Luann were “All over each other“At a bar in New York City after they met during an episode of the series Watch what happens live with Andy Cohen.

When Joe was spotted with Luann, he was in a relationship with Danielle, 36, whom he got close to during BravoCon in November 2023.

The following month, TJ Dench Joe was accused of fixing and Sleeping with Luann During an outing in New York City, which he strongly denied.

“Here's the truth, me and Luann, we had a drink and we agreed on this,” Joe said during the ceremony. Season 2 Southern hospitality reunionWhich aired in February 2024. “She crossed boundaries at the hotel, but I didn’t accept it.”

TJ claimed during the reunion that he is “99 percent” sure that Joe is “connected” with The Real Housewives of New York City alum. Joe tells TJ to “f— off” and sticks to his story.

Related to: Summer House's Danielle Oliveira believes ex Joe Bradley was linked to Luann

Danielle Oliveira is very confident that she knows exactly what happened between her ex-husband Joe Bradley and Luann de Lesseps. “I'm also 99 percent sure,” Oliveira, 35, said on the Thursday, Feb. 29 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, referring to Southern Hospitality's TJ Dench announcing the same percentage earlier (. ..)

After Danielle and Joe He called it quits in February 2024She said, “Also 99 percent sure“The one that Joe and Luann got together.

During season 3 Southern hospitality The first show aired on Thursday, January 2 TJ doubled down on his claims That Joe was unfaithful to Danielle. TJ argued that he and Joe didn't talk because it “gave him the opportunity to tell the truth when he cheated on Danielle when he had sex with Ed Loan.”

Joe continued to play coy about the extent of his relationship with Luann in the premiere, but told the cameras: “So what if I hook up with Luann?”

His girlfriend now, Maddie ReeseHowever, he described Joe's relationship with Luann as “iconic” during the episode, confirming that it actually happened.

Joe, for his part, told EXCLUSIVELY we That TJ made it “much worse than it had to be” and it was “none of his business” in the first place. He admitted that while he and Luann kissed, he hasn't spoken to her since.

“I'm glad it's out there,” Joe said. “And I'm happy with her.” Hopefully Maddie and I He could go to one of Luann's cabaret shows. It's the-.”

Maddie, who was She is dating her partner since April 2024he said exclusively we That since the Season 2 reunion last year, the cast “all knew” what happened between Jo and Luann.

“Maddie thinks it's funny,” Joe explained. “We're so happy now. … That was before we were dating.

Maddie noted that she felt like “TJ took it a little too seriously” when Joe's fling was “creative” to her and “just funny.”

Joe admitted that at the time, he felt like his “friend” TJ “was stalking me, which hurt me.” He teased that despite the ups and downs of Season 3, he and TJ are “in a better place now.”

Southern hospitality It airs on Bravo Thursdays at 9pm ET.

With reporting by Cristina Garibaldi