JT Thomas explained more about his decision to say goodbye to the United States, and he shared exactly what he meant by “my country is imploding.” The Southern Charm star also addressed getting hate messages after he left.
JT exited the show after last season. At the time, he wasn’t in a good place with many in the cast. Earlier this week, he revealed he sold everything and moved to Bali due to the U.S.’s current state.
In a November 7 Instagram video, JT revealed more of the story.
“I’ve retired and retreated … to Bali because my country’s imploding. Let me qualify when I say my country’s imploding so that people can stop in the comments and [stop] privately messaging me saying … ‘The stock market’s at an all-time high … What’s wrong with you? Everything should be fine with you.’ Well, here, let me qualify for you,” said the star.
JT continued, “There’s a bunch of issues, cost of living, et cetera, et cetera. But there’s one real hot button issue that I’m pretty sure I’m not wrong about — because I agree with the Pope, who’s saying that all humans, including immigrants, should be treated like humans.”
“Recently I’ve watched I don’t know how many dozens of videos … of illegal immigrants getting tackled to the ground and zip-tied,” he continued. “And at first it was stunning and shocking, and it still is. But it’s clear to me that now it’s escalated, if that’s even possible, where now I’m seeing videos of actual women … being pulled out of their place of employment, their apartments, and their vehicles in front of their children by masked men, [then] thrown to the ground [and] zip-tie[d], knees in the back, knees in the stomach.”
According to JT, in the country he “grew up in,” it was “innocent until proven guilty.”
“And so that’s my major hot button topic, because we’re not treating people like humans anymore. We’re treating certain people inside of our borders like animals. It’s absolutely diabolical, I don’t stand for it,” he said. “So I’m at the Indian Ocean, I’m in Bali.”
The new season of Southern Charm premieres Wednesday, November 19, on Bravo.
In a world of over-the-top, staged proposals, Paulie Connell just delivered a masterclass in heartfelt, chaotic, and utterly perfect romance. The “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Dolores Catania is engaged, and the story of how her longtime love popped the question—in the middle of an Apple Store, with a fake PEOPLE interview as a decoy—is a tale of pure, unscripted magic.
The plan was elaborate. Dolores was told she had a PEOPLE interview for a new medication she was promoting. After getting full hair and makeup, the meeting was “canceled.” Seizing the opportunity, Paulie insisted they finally go get her new iPhone. “I kept saying, ‘Just go get it for me! Why do you need me?'” Dolores recalled. But Paulie was relentless, inventing a story about the “only one iPhone Pro Max in the area” being held for her.
At the Apple Store in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey—the very spot where they first met nearly five years ago—Paulie’s nerves began to show. “He was sweating so bad, his T-shirt was soaked, his face was beet red,” Dolores laughed. “He started saying these sweet, beautiful things to me out of nowhere and I was like, ‘Paul, are you okay?'”
As an employee led them to the exact table where their love story began, Paulie’s mind was racing. “I was so nervous, my knees where knocking,” he confessed. “I’m like, ‘What are you doing? Don’t start getting sad, you’re meant to be happy!'”
While he was trying to deliver a heartfelt speech, Dolores was still completely oblivious, even joking to the employee, “Wouldn’t it be funny if we got engaged here?”
Then, he pulled the box from his pocket. That’s when reality hit. “I immediately said yes,” Dolores gushed. The ring, a show-stopping 11-carat centerpiece from John Anthony Jewelers, was a testament to his devotion. “Go big or go home,” Dolores laughed.
This wasn’t the first ring Paulie had bought. He revealed he’d purchased a stone years ago, but after getting to know Dolores better, he realized it was the “opposite of what I got.” This new ring, which he’d had for over a year and a half, was perfect.
The proposal was a symphony of sentimental details. The date, November 10th, was the same day Dolores had moved in with him four years prior. The celebration dinner was at Rocco’s steakhouse, the site of their very first date. “There’s not a thing this guy didn’t think of,” Dolores said.
For years, Bravo fans have relentlessly asked, “When is he going to propose?” Now, they have their answer. In the most unexpected of locations, surrounded by iPhones and unsuspecting shoppers, Dolores Catania’s next chapter has officially begun. And as Paulie laughed, “I’m just glad Dolores won’t have to answer a stupid question anymore.”