Although Joe Bradley was once promoted to Republic’s lead VIP host, he made it clear that’s not where his career ambition ends. During Southern Hospitality Season 4, Episode 2, he explained why he’s “bored” with his current position and plans to do something about it.
“I’ve been crushing at the front door for five years. I can do it in my sleep,” he confessed to producers during the March 11 episode. “But I want to own my own bar.”
He pointed out that Republic owner Leva Bonaparte supported TJ Dinch in his Sir Wieners hot dog venture. “I feel like Leva gave TJ this incredible opportunity to grow his business. What about me?” Joe posed. “When’s my opportunity? When’s my turn?”
Producers showed a flashback to Joe speaking with Leva during the season premiere, as TJ celebrated Sir Wieners with a party. “Leva, I’m next,” Joe declared to her at the time. “Like, business-wise.”
Joe also shared his goals with his girlfriend: DJ and VIP server Maddi Reese. “I busted my a— for the last five years doing the same job,” he told her, adding that he was “100 percent” ready to open his own spot. “I need to grow, and I’m sick of just waiting for something to happen,” Joe shared.
Leva Bonaparte explains why she’s not going into business with Joe Bradley
Joe met with Leva and laid out why he wants to go into business with her and her husband, Lamar Bonaparte.
“I’m turning 30 in August, and I have to do what’s best for me, and I want to grow professionally,” he explained during the March 11 episode. I have dreams. In my mind, my dream would be build my dream concept with my mentor. I know that I can not only be an employee, but a business partner.”
But Joe’s words left Leva dumbfounded. “Every time I’m around Joe, I almost feel like I’m in the twilight zone,” she told producers. “I’m like, ‘We had this conversation a year ago,’” she added, referencing when she previously warned Joe not to skip too much work during Maddi’s DJ tour.
“I told him he needed to put work first, and he did exactly none of that,” she continued to producers. “Instead, he continued to travel with Maddi. I cannot stop my business because you wanna follow your girlfriend around the country.”
“I mean, sure, at one point Joe was valuable to us,” she said. “It was always the plan with Lamar and I to have Joe run one of the businesses, have equity in one of the businesses, and he basically gave us a big f—k you.”
She explained to Joe why she was unwilling to go into business with him. “It just doesn’t work that way, Joe,” Leva said. “It’s like, I can’t go to my employer and go, ‘I want growth, I want this,’ but [at the same time] I’m not showing up to work. You were just slacking… You were in a really good position that could have moved up, and you just stopped coming.”
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However, Joe felt he wasn’t being appreciated since his return from Maddi’s tour. “I come back, and work my a— off, and feel like I’m back at square one, and that’s not motivating for me,” he told Leva. “I don’t know if this is arrogant to say, but I need to feel that respect like reciprocated.”
“Is Joe out of his mind?” Leva asked producers in response to his statement. “Does he think I’m just handing out businesses like Oprah hands out cars?”
Joe Bradley reacts to Leva Bonaparte criticizing his work ethic
Joe was taken aback by Leva’s response. “It hurts my feelings,” he told her. “I feel like I’ve been the face of your company. And when I’m here, I’m incredible. I’m hard to replace.”
RELATED: Maddi Confronts Joe in Shocking Southern Hospitality Season 4 Trailer: “Just Want a Break
“You have been replaced. The business doesn’t wait for you,” Leva responded, referencing the new VIP Host, Justin Assad. “We’re training Justin,” she continued. “A return on investment with you is like, we’re closed, until you start to show that I should reinvest with you.”
When Joe expressed his desire to “get back where [he] was” at Republic, Leva mentioned he’d have to commit to working while Maddi’s on tour. “100 percent,” he answered her. “If that’s what it takes, no doubt.”
When Leva challenged him, “I would love for you to prove me wrong,” Joe replied, “Well, watch me.”
Joe shared more about his feelings in his confessional. “The thing that hurts the most is like the loyalty,” he told producers. “Like, to say I’m replaceable, that’s a little crazy. That’s like making a movie, and Brad Pitt doesn’t show up to work—they’re not gonna replace Brad Pitt.”
Don’t miss the Southern Hospitality crew and Southern Charm’s Shep Rose, Austen Kroll, and Craig Conover celebrating at the Top Chef Season 23 premiere party.
