Maddi Reese and Joe Bradley may not have legally tied the knot in Las Vegas, but that hasn’t stopped Joe from calling her his “wife” on Southern Hospitality—much to Maddi’s discomfort.
“That Vegas wedding wasn’t real, and I think Joe thinks it was,” Maddi admitted during the latest episode, which aired on Thursday, February 20.
A Fake Wedding Turned Real for Joe?
Back in Charleston, Joe’s continued references to their faux marriage left Maddi uneasy. “The wedding was for fun. I don’t think it was serious,” she explained. “Vacation’s over, but maybe not for Joe.”
The couple, who began dating in April 2024, had an impromptu ceremony with friends in Las Vegas, a moment captured on the Bravo series. However, Maddi seemed taken aback by how seriously Joe was taking it.
Their friends recalled the wedding night drama, with Emmy Sharrett revealing that Joe was upset when Maddi stayed out with the girls. “He’s like, ‘You’ve just been down there gambling and left me alone on our wedding night,’” Emmy recounted.
Joe admitted his disappointment, saying, “I get laid most other nights, how do I not get laid on our actual wedding night?” Maddi quickly shot back, “It’s not our actual wedding night!”
Joe’s Fast-Track Relationship Goals
Joe later confided in a friend about his plan to propose soon. Despite dating for only four months, he felt like they had been together for a year. “If she goes on the road [to DJ] and I’m not with her, I like the feeling of being engaged,” he shared.
Maddi, on the other hand, was more focused on her career. Speaking with her mother, she expressed hesitation about making a deeper commitment. “I don’t think we’re ready to get really married. We don’t even live together,” she said, emphasizing her need for independence.
A Relationship at a Crossroads
When Maddi tried to address her concerns with Joe, the conversation didn’t go smoothly. After calling her his “wife” again, Joe pressed her about moving in together. Maddi admitted feeling pressured, saying, “I just hate this pressure right now. Everything is so great. We’re in this honeymoon phase.”
Joe denied pressuring her but expressed frustration over their current living situation. Maddi’s hesitation stemmed from a previous relationship that ended badly, making her wary of rushing into cohabitation.
“I feel like I just got out of living with a boyfriend and watching the turmoil and the hell to get out of that. I’m so scared that’s going to happen to me again,” Maddi confessed. “I don’t even want to risk that. It’s almost too fast for me.”
With Maddi craving independence and Joe ready for the next step, their future as a couple remains uncertain.
