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More than a decade later, Andy Cohen revealed his long-held theory on Gretchen Rossi’s televised marriage proposal to Slade Smiley on The Real Housewives of Orange County.
The topic arose during Part 1 of the RHOC Season 19 reunion when Andy read a viewer-submitted question about Slade’s financial contributions to their household expenses. Reflecting on how she’d had the same discussion with Heather Dubrow and Emily Simpson at their sleepover, Gretchen pointed out that it really wasn’t anyone’s business anyway.
Heather clarified that “the only reason it was even a conversation” was because Gretchen told her on camera back in 2012 that she “couldn’t marry” Slade “because of financial reasons.” So, when they got engaged shortly afterward anyway, as Heather put it, “That’s why we thought it was fake.”
RELATED:Â Heather Makes a Bold Declaration About Gretchen & Slade’s Future: “She Told Me…” (EXCLUSIVE)
As Gretchen shot back, “That was a very real moment for me to be there getting engaged to the man I love, after his son had just been in the hospital and was told that he was gonna die. I wanted to show that man how much I loved him.”
That’s when the Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen host chimed in to say that he, too, had been skeptical of Gretchen’s motives for filming the rooftop proposal.
“I always thought it was because you wanted to get married, like, on TV and have Bravo pay for the wedding,” Andy revealed, to which Gretchen simply replied, “No.”
Gretchen Rossi opens up about marrying Slade Smiley
Either way, Gretchen and Slade have now been engaged for more 12 years. That led Andy to ask when she thought would be ready to get married.
“I mean, I’m ready whenever,” Gretchen responded. “I just don’t think that’s something that we wake up every day talking about.”
As Jennifer Pedranti pointed out, Gretchen and Slade actually are married “in God’s eyes,” though, after a New Year’s Eve 2022 wedding ceremony that they never made legal.
“A few years ago, we actually got “married,” but with an ordained pastor,” Gretchen added. “We didn’t go down to the courthouse … But we did the ceremony, and Skylar was there. And it was very special for us.”
RELATED:Â Gretchen Rossi Sounds Off Ahead of the RHOC Reunion: “Makes Me Mad…” (EXCLUSIVE)
Gretchen previously discussed the wedding ceremony, both during Season 19 and on The Real Housewives of Orange County After Show, explaining that their union was “between him and me and God.”Â
Despite not feeling “a need to” make the marriage legal, she also revealed two reasons why she and Slade might officially tie the knot someday.
“I don’t want people to keep asking, ‘When are you ever gonna get married?'” Gretchen elaborated on the RHOC After Show. “So, I’m kind of just like, if I do it more publicly, then I think people will stop asking that.”Â
The Season 19 friend added that she also wants to create special memories for their 6-year-old daughter.Â
“I do think there’s something to be said for, like, having the pictures, and then Sky getting to see that one day when she’s older,” Gretchen concluded. “Like, ‘Oh, this is when Mommy and Daddy got married.’ That sort of thing. So, I love the whole, like, concept behind, like, having those memories behind it.”
Will Slade Smiley appear on the RHOC Season 19 reunion?
No. While getting camera ready for the RHOC reunion in her trailer, a member of Gretchen’s glam squad asked if Slade would be “popping up today,” and she replied, “Nope, he’s not. He’s supporting me from afar.”
As you await Parts 2 and 3 of the RHOC reunion, get exclusive details on Gretchen and Slade’s life as parents today.
