Not everything is smooth sailing for former Southern Hospitality best friends Grace Lilly and Maddi Reese. As the Bravo show continues to unfold, tensions between the two are becoming increasingly apparent. Grace recently opened up to PopCulture.com, sharing her feelings of disconnection from Maddi over the past year, particularly in light of Maddi’s relationship with Republic VIP Host Joe Bradley.
Grace’s comments come in response to Maddi’s assertion on the show that Grace’s decision to step away from Republic has left her feeling directionless. Grace firmly disagrees, stating, “She says I don’t work, and that’s not true. I do work.” This statement highlights the underlying issues in their friendship, where differing perspectives have led to misunderstandings and feelings of resentment.
Despite their decade-long friendship, Grace feels that Maddi no longer understands her as she once did. “She doesn’t know me like she thinks she knows me, to be honest with you,” Grace explained. The shift in their dynamic seems to stem from Maddi’s romantic involvement with Joe and Grace’s departure from Republic, which has created a rift between them. Grace expressed that this disconnection has been particularly pronounced over the last couple of years.
The tension escalated further during a recent studio session where the two were supposed to collaborate on a song. Grace felt blindsided when Maddi changed the song they were supposed to work on, claiming that it made her appear unprepared. “I felt like she tried to make me look stupid, to be honest with you,” Grace admitted. This incident underscores the fragility of their friendship, as Grace’s passion for music was seemingly undermined by Maddi’s choices.
Looking ahead, Grace hinted at more friendship troubles in the upcoming episodes of Southern Hospitality as they prepare to perform their song together. Despite the misunderstandings, she expressed a sense of gratitude for their connection, stating, “We don’t have deep bad blood, we just have misunderstandings of each other.” This acknowledgment reflects Grace’s desire to mend their friendship, emphasizing the importance of communication in maintaining relationships.
However, Grace’s feelings of exclusion from group hangouts and trips this season have left her questioning the depth of their friendship. “Until I see her make an effort to actually want to hang out with me, then I just don’t know how deep our friendship really is,” she shared. This sentiment reveals the complexities of friendship dynamics, where both parties must be willing to invest effort to sustain their bond.
Grace also reflected on her time at Republic, expressing a sense of nostalgia for the club that played a significant role in her life. “You know what? I do miss Republic. Republic was a milestone in my life,” she said, indicating that her departure has left a void not only in her professional life but also in her personal connections. The possibility of returning to Republic remains open, as she mused, “I might go back, I might not.”
As Southern Hospitality continues to air Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo, viewers can expect to see the evolving dynamics between Grace and Maddi unfold. Their journey serves as a reminder of the complexities of friendships, especially in the spotlight, where personal relationships are often tested by external circumstances and individual choices.
