Southern Hospitality Stars Joe Bradley and Maddi Reese's Relationship Timeline

The reality TV couple's romance blossomed from friendship to a Vegas 'wedding' and beyond

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:06am

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An extreme close-up of shimmering sequins and shattered glass, capturing the glamour and drama of a reality TV relationship in an abstract, high-fashion style.The glitz and glam of Joe and Maddi's reality TV romance is captured in this abstract close-up of luxurious textures.Coachella Today

Joe Bradley and Maddi Reese's connection on Southern Hospitality was obvious from the start — but it wasn't until season 3 that their friendship turned romantic. The pair's relationship has played out on the Bravo series, from their initial hesitations to a Vegas 'wedding' and beyond.

Why it matters

Joe and Maddi's relationship has been a central storyline on Southern Hospitality, providing insight into the challenges of navigating a romance in the public eye as reality TV stars. Their journey highlights the complexities of transitioning from friends to partners and the impact of outside influences on their relationship.

The details

Joe and Maddi started out as best friends when Southern Hospitality premiered in 2022, but Joe harbored romantic feelings for Maddi behind closed doors. Once Maddi was single at the start of 2024, Joe finally made his move, and their romance went public in the show's season 3 trailer. The couple even had a 'wedding' in Las Vegas, though it was not legally binding. As their relationship has continued to evolve, they've faced challenges, including Joe's drinking habits affecting Maddi's sobriety.

  • In November 2022, fans were introduced to Maddi and Joe as VIP servers at Republic Garden & Lounge.
  • In January 2023, Joe revealed his romantic feelings for Maddi during season 1.
  • In December 2023, Maddi confirmed she was single after breaking up with Trevor Stokes.
  • In February 2024, Joe and Maddi 'started hanging out' and became a couple in April 2024.
  • In July 2024, Joe and Maddi had a non-legal 'wedding' in Las Vegas.

The players

Joe Bradley

A VIP server at Republic Garden & Lounge who harbored romantic feelings for his best friend, Maddi Reese, before they started dating.

Maddi Reese

A VIP server and DJ at Republic Garden & Lounge who was initially hesitant to date Joe due to rumors about his sexuality, but eventually entered a relationship with him.

Trevor Stokes

Maddi's on-again, off-again boyfriend prior to her relationship with Joe.

TJ Dinch

A friend of Joe and Maddi who spread rumors about Joe's sexuality, which initially delayed their romance.

Michols Peña

Maddi's friend who she confided in about her concerns over Joe's drinking habits.

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What they’re saying

“I really have had feelings for her for years, but we were also best friends. One day I would wake up and be like, 'I have a chance with a girl in my dreams' and the next day I'll be like, 'This will never happen.' And most of our friends told me it would never happen.”

— Joe Bradley

“I think everything in our life is spur of the moment, so it's pretty on brand for us.”

— Joe Bradley

“I am focusing on myself. I need no drama for a couple of months. I want a stable home, so I'm trying to manifest that in my life.”

— Maddi Reese

“I feel like you're going to have to tune in to find out [if it's real]. I feel like you watch our whole journey from [when] we just started dating to talking about getting serious and taking that kind of big next step. You'll see that play out and I'm excited because we're in Vegas when it happens, and that trip is awesome.”

— Maddi Reese

“Timing was everything when it came to the start of our relationship. I always had feelings for Joe, but I just didn't know if it was past a friendship or now. Taking that leap of faith was definitely worth it.”

— Maddi Reese

What’s next

Fans will have to tune in to see how Joe and Maddi's relationship continues to evolve, including whether they take any further steps towards marriage and starting a family.

The takeaway

Joe and Maddi's relationship on Southern Hospitality showcases the complexities of transitioning from best friends to romantic partners, especially in the public eye of reality TV. Their journey highlights the importance of communication, trust, and navigating personal challenges as a couple.