As the excitement for the upcoming season 3 of Southern Hospitality builds, the cast is stirring up fresh drama with shocking developments—one of the most talked-about being the whirlwind wedding of Maddi Reese and Joe Bradley. The couple surprised fans with a surprise wedding at the iconic Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, leaving viewers wondering whether their romance was real or scripted for TV. Enter Leva Bonaparte, the star of Southern Hospitality and Southern Charm, who has a unique perspective on the couple’s relationship, given her role as their boss and her history with both Maddi and Joe.
Here's ads banner inside a post
Leva spoke exclusively with Us Weekly to set the record straight and share her thoughts on the couple’s unexpected decision to marry. What she had to say might just surprise you. According to Leva, while the circumstances surrounding Maddi and Joe’s nuptials were certainly unexpected, there is no question about the authenticity of their love. “If I didn’t know any better, had they not told me, I would’ve thought it was a hoax,” Leva shared, referencing her initial reaction to hearing the news. “But in real time, of course, they came home and they [told me] separately.”
Here's ads banner inside a post
A Shocking Announcement
Leva’s candid response gives insight into the surprise that even she felt upon hearing about the wedding. She recalled asking Maddi and Joe about the details, inquiring if they had shared the news with their families. “I was like, ‘Did you tell your mother?’ I was like, ‘I don’t want to know. I don’t want this hot potato. I know your moms. Did you tell your mom?’” she laughed, recounting the moment Maddi admitted she hadn’t yet told her mother, while Joe had been more forthcoming.
But despite her shock, Leva was quick to defend the sincerity of the wedding. She insists that the ceremony at Graceland, which featured an Elvis impersonator officiating and a ring exchange in front of their co-workers, was very real. “Nothing’s contrived or fake on that show. It was definitely a real ceremony,” Leva emphasized, dismissing any speculation that it was staged for the cameras or to boost the show’s storyline. This revelation puts to rest any doubts fans might have had about the authenticity of the wedding, though it certainly remains a talking point for many.
Here's ads banner inside a post
An Unexpected Couple
For those unfamiliar with Maddi and Joe’s love story, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. The couple’s relationship evolved from co-workers at Republic Garden and Lounge in Charleston, where they both work alongside Leva, to something far more serious. Maddi, who had recently ended a tumultuous relationship with Trevor Stokes, found comfort in Joe, who had his own share of romance troubles, including a brief relationship with Summer House star Danielle Olivera. Their relationship, which began after a series of personal shifts, will be explored in-depth in the upcoming season of Southern Hospitality.
However, while their love story was on the minds of fans and castmates alike, it was clear to Leva that Joe and Maddi’s connection ran deeper than the drama of reality television. “I tried to set them up in the first place,” Leva admitted, remembering her early efforts to match the two. At the time, she saw potential in Joe, thinking he was a great catch for Maddi, despite her initial reluctance. “Maddi was like, ‘He always wants to be shirtless. I dunno,’” she recalled with a smile, poking fun at Joe’s carefree and laid-back personality.
Leva also shared that from the beginning, Joe had always been a steady presence in Maddi’s life. “Joe has always loved Maddi and been safe for her,” she said, explaining that Joe’s genuine nature and his loyalty to Maddi were the qualities that made their relationship feel so authentic. And while Leva didn’t immediately see the connection between the two, she’s come to understand that their love story has a solid foundation.
A Future Full of Possibilities
As for the couple’s future, Leva is cautiously optimistic but recognizes that they’re still in the early stages of their relationship. “Do I think they really care about each other? A hundred percent. Do I think they both have some personal stuff to work out? Yeah,” she said, admitting that like any young couple, they have challenges ahead of them. However, Leva believes that their relationship is built on trust—a crucial element in any long-lasting partnership. “But I do think that because there’s a major trust [there], which I think is beautiful, and I hope neither one of them breaks that, they could be the long haul. They could be forever,” she remarked.
Despite her faith in their connection, Leva is not entirely sure whether the young couple will weather the ups and downs of life and love. “They’re so young, I don’t know what will happen,” she confessed. Leva has seen plenty of relationships come and go in her time, and while she’s hopeful for Maddi and Joe, she’s also realistic about the challenges that come with navigating love in the public eye, especially when the pressures of reality television are involved.
The No-Timeline Approach to Love
One thing that stands out in Leva’s discussion about Maddi and Joe is their contrasting approach to love and commitment. While Leva admits she comes from a generation where there was a clear, structured timeline for relationships—complete with expectations for engagement and marriage—Maddi has a much more laid-back, spontaneous approach to love. “Maddi’s not the type of girl who has a timeline for love,” Leva remarked with a laugh. “I feel like the girls [in my generation] were like, ‘OK, so when am I getting the ring? When am I getting a ring?’ And Maddi’s like, ‘Today’s great. I’m not thinking about tomorrow.’”
Leva calls Maddi’s perspective “backwards” to what she grew up wanting, noting that her approach to relationships was far more conventional. “They’re very ‘love is love.’ They’re very like, ‘This is good for me now.’ They’re very no pressure,” she observed, joking that Maddi’s easygoing attitude gives her a bit of anxiety. In contrast, Leva finds comfort in structure and boundaries, and she acknowledges that Maddi and Joe’s carefree approach to love is a stark contrast to her own.
Can They Make It Work?
While Leva is supportive of Maddi and Joe’s relationship, she confessed that calling them “husband and wife” still feels a bit strange for her. “I can’t call them husband and wife. It’s not physically possible for me,” she teased, highlighting the playful and somewhat unconventional nature of the couple’s romance. Despite the playful tone, it’s clear that Leva is rooting for them to succeed and hopes they continue to find happiness together.
As fans eagerly await the premiere of Southern Hospitality season 3 on January 2, 2024, there’s no doubt that Maddi and Joe’s relationship will continue to be a major talking point. Will their love story withstand the pressures of reality television, their personal challenges, and the scrutiny of the public eye? Leva certainly hopes so, but only time will tell.
In the meantime, viewers can continue to tune into Southern Charm season 10 on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo, where the drama continues to unfold, and relationships—both new and old—take center stage.
Will Maddi and Joe’s whirlwind romance lead to happily ever after, or will they face more obstacles than they can overcome? Only time will tell, but for now, fans can look forward to watching the journey unfold on Southern Hospitality season 3.
