Grab a Christmas cocktail and make your way to the Parker Playhouse for the ultimate girl’s night out with some of Bravo’s favorite ladies from the Real Housewives franchise. Holidays with the Housewives is an up close and intimate evening with Dolores Catania (New Jersey), Kelly Dodd (Orange County), and Ramona Singer (New York) where they will talk about their amazing personal lives, their cherished holiday traditions, and how fame changed their lives. The show will also include an interview followed by an audience Q&A, so expect an outrageous time with these fabulous women. I had the pleasure of chatting more with Dolores about the holidays and her time with The Real Housewives of New Jersey (RHONJ).

Denny Patterson: Hi, Dolores! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me.

Dolores Catania: Of course, thank you for chatting with me as well.

DP: I would like to start by talking about the Holidays with the Housewives event that will take place at the Parker Playhouse. What can audiences expect?

DC: Wow, I don’t know if I can even answer that. Housewives never disappoint, so stay tuned. It’s going to be a good event. I am excited to be in South Florida. It is one of my favorite places to vacation.

DP: How do you spend the holidays, and what is your favorite part?

DC: Every holiday is at my home. I am one of five, so I have a big family. So, I love to see the kids open presents and spend time together.

DP: Do you have a favorite Christmas memory that you will forever cherish?

DC: Watching the kids open presents on Christmas morning. Even after Frank and I divorced, we put our differences aside to make sure they had an amazing Christmas.

DP: Your go to holiday drink?

DC: Even though I prefer not to drink, it is a tradition to have eggnog.

DP: What is the best gift you have ever received?

DC: Big Frank bought me a convertible mustang and filled it with gifts when we first started dating.

DP: Are you more of an in store or online kind of shopper?

DC: In store. I like to look around and see what I am buying. Online can sometimes be tricky.

DP: I agree. Now, I would like to ask a few questions about RHONJ. This is your fourth season with the franchise. What is it like being on the show, and how has it changed your life?

DC: Knock on wood, it has been positive for me so far. I have been able to use my platform for a lot of good which is very fulfilling.

DP: How do you think New Jersey is different and stands out from the other Housewives series?

DC: Jersey is the most real to me. We are relatable with real life issues. We also have a strong family aspect which not every franchise does.

DP: Do you watch any of the other franchises? If so, which one is your favorite?

DC: Love my Dallas girls. I get a kick out of them.

DP: I know family is very important to you and you mentioned them in some earlier questions. How is everything with Big Frank, Frankie, and Gabrielle?

DC: Thank you for asking. I sit back and look at all the hard work I put into them and it is all paying off. Gabrielle is in veterinary school now, and Frankie has a 4.0 GPA and interviews lined up with big banks in New York City. Proud is an understatement. Big Frank is also doing well. He is building my boyfriend’s new home which you will see this season.

DP: This season will revolve a lot around the situation between Teresa and Joe, and it was not that long ago when they did that joint interview on Watch What Happens Live. I know you have been asked this question a million times, but can you please tell us what your opinion is on the matter and do you think their relationship will survive?

DC: I am praying and wishing them the best for whatever decision they make.

DP: The pinnacle of every Housewives season is the reunion special. Walk us through what that is like.

DC: First, it starts with months of planning. Outfit, plastic surgery, hair, makeup, you name it. It takes a village. The night before you arrive at a hotel, production gives you the final episodes to see what everyone said behind your back in confessionals. You have 4:00AM wake up call to start the glam process, then you are ready to go. I would describe walking onto the stage like how the Romans felt when they had to go fight the lions in the colosseum. After a long day of filming, we all take the next few days off to tape our brains back together.

DP: The Housewives have always struck a chord with the LGBTQ+ community. Why do you think that is?

DC: I cannot answer for them, but I can say we admire, love, and stand behind them 100%.

DP: My last question for you Dolores, what can we expect next from you? Any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for?

DC: This season of RHONJ, you will see a big project which is building my boyfriend David’s house. That is all I can tell you for now but stay tuned because a lot more is on the way!