Jo De La Rosa is a former main cast member on The Real Housewives of Orange County. She also starred in the first ever The Real Housewives spin-off series, Date My Ex: Jo and Slade.
Casting[]
De La Rosa made up one of the five original cast members on the first season of The Real Housewives of Orange County (the first ever season of The Real Housewives franchise). She remained on the show until the conclusion of the second season after moving to Los Angeles to pursue a singing career after breaking up with her ex-fiancé, Slade Smiley.
De La Rosa did make subsequent 'Guest Appearances' in the show’s third and fourth seasons and has filmed scenes for the upcoming eighteenth season of the series in the same capacity - after thirteen seasons away.
Away from the main show, De La Rosa starred in the first The Real Housewives spin-off series, titled: Date My Ex: Jo and Slade; which followed De La Rosa’s ex-fiancé, Slade, advise and help Jo in the quest of finding her next boyfriend.
Storylines[]
Season 1[]
TBA
Season 2[]
TBA
Friendships[]
Kimberly Bryant[]
Season 1[]
Jo is new to Coto de Caza, she approaches Kim and her friends at a restaurant, who are having drinks and wonders if they can chat and get to know each other in Meet The Wives. Kim welcomes her warmly. Jo confides with the ladies about her relationship issues and asks for their advice. Kim encourages Jo to attend group activities, and maybe buy lingerie as a surprise for Slade.
Jo and Kim play tennis and they enjoy each other's company in Is It Hunting Season, Yet. Kim encouraged Jo to take on a part time job to combat the loneliness.
Jo says Kim told her Slade and Lauri were secretly still dating when she and Slade were working on getting back together in Reunion. Turns out Kim was lying because she's mad they did not support her in a radio interview, they don't talk anymore.
Jeana Keough[]
Season 1[]
Jeana invites all the ladies to a BBQ at her house in Talk, Talk, Talk.
Vicki Gunvalson[]
Season 18[]
Jo arrives at Jenn's engagement party as Alexis' friend in Unfinished Business, she is now happily married. Jo shares a reunion with Tamra and Vicki upon their arrival.
Shane Keough[]
Season 1[]
Shane plays basketball with his friend Calen and they talk about girls in Talk, Talk, Talk. Shane states he is a virgin and is waiting for the right time. Shane plays pool with his other friends, they informed him that there's rumors about Shane involving other housewives. At Jeana's BBQ, Jeana and Shane talk about Jo and Slade, Shane thinks Jo is hot and Slade is being controlling over Jo. Jo mentions their rabbit problem to Shane. Shanes heads over to Jo's to shoot rabbits. Jo thinks Shane is good looking. Shane mentions he has a girl that he "pays special attention to". Slade comes home in the middle of Jo and Shane's "innocent" flirting, Slade is mad and accuses Jo of flirting. In Reunion, Shane and Jo are friends and talk occasionally.
Lauri Peterson[]
Season 1[]
Jo witnessed Slade and Lauri together at a club in Reunion, she went up to Slade and acknowledges that she sees them. Slade calls and sends Jo flowers. Jo feels betrayed by Lauri. Later on, the ladies talk about Jo and Lauri both dated Slade, Jo and Lauri puts it behind them.
Tamra Judge[]
Season 18[]
Jo arrives at Jenn's engagement party as Alexis' friend in Unfinished Business, she is now happily married. Jo shares a reunion with Tamra and Vicki upon their arrival.
Alexis Bellino[]
Season 18[]
Jo arrives at Jenn's engagement party as Alexis' friend in Unfinished Business, she is now happily married.
Ryan Boyajian[]
Season 18[]
Jo arrives at Jenn's engagement party as Alexis' friend in Unfinished Business, she is now happily married. It is revealed that Ryan was Jo's first boss at Country Wide Home Loan when she was 23. Matthew Bowyer, Ryan's friend is present. They reveal Jo introduced them to each other, and Matt is Ryan's friend who has a bookie business.
Relationships[]
Slade Smiley[]
Season 1[]
In Meet The Wives, Jo met her fiance Slade Smiley at a mortgage company. Slade shares custody of his two children, Gavin and Grayson, from his two previous relationships. Jo and Slade got engaged only a year after they started their relationship. Slade expects Jo to be a stay at home mom and Joe feels lonely staying at home by herself. Later on, Jo gets ready for a night out while Slade winds down with the boys. Jo states she loves Slade but she also misses her friends and going out. Slade wants Jo to be a housewife. Slade and Jo have lunch, Slade confronts Jo with what he perceives as frequent partying. Jo denies the frequency and states she is 24, she wants to have fun. Jo brings up the emails she sees of girls at Slade's work that flirt with him, and that she parties at night while Slade parties during the day. Slade ends the conversation. After talking to Kimberly Bryant (see Kimberly Bryant in Friendships), Jo dresses up in sexy lingerie to surprise Slade.
Jo tells Slade about her tennis date with Kim in Upgrading Has Nothing To Do With You Honey. Kim encouraged Jo to take on a part time job to combat the loneliness. Slades wants Jo to be happy although does not seem keen on the idea. Slade decides to ambush a potential client, Brent McElwee, whom he met with in Is It Hunting Season, Yet. Slade bring his son Grayson and Jo's brother Michael to the equestrian center where Brent is with his family. The ambush went well and Slade brings Jo and Grayson to Brent's to socialize. Jo is intimidated by Brent's affluence. Slade attempts to bring up business and Brent states they are having drinks. Brent's wife Cyndi and Jo make horse riding plans. Slade gets drunk and is condescending toward Jo. On another day, Jo goes horse riding with Cyndi. Jo doesn't care about horses but is there to help facilitate Slade's business deal.
On a different day, Jo goes on a yacht with friends. Slade has boys night with his sons and Jo's brother Michael. Jo calls Slade saying she can't come home yet as she's the designated driver but her friends want to keep partying. Slade wants Jo home and is frustrated. Later on, Jo got her dream job as a mortgage consultant. Slade was not happy when she relayed the good news. They argue. Jo explains to Slade that she wants to have a career, Slade states Jo initially told him she's willing to be a stay home mom. Slade thinks Jo betrayed him by not including him in the decision and storms off.
Jo is ecstatic about starting her new job, Slade hires a personal assistant, Meghan to "pick up the slack" in Talk, Talk, Talk. Slade goes golfing with his friends accompanied by Meghan, Slade and his friends make inappropriate jokes. Jo has lunch and tells her friends about Meghan. Jo and Slade complain to their friends about each other. Jo wants to be her own person and Slade believes Jo will be a housewife one day. Slade calls Jo and tells her their landscaper is requesting $400 for replacing the flowers eaten by rabbits. Jo recalls Shane, who was killing rabbits around the neighborhood (see Is It Hunting Season, Yet?). On another day, Slade comes home in the middle of Jo and Shane's "innocent" flirting when Shane comes over to shoot rabbits, Slade is mad and accuses Jo of flirting.
It's father's day, Jo and the boys plan for a surprise massage for Slade in Cut The ‘P’ and ‘Lem’ Out of Problem and You Get ROB. Jo gets a taste of motherhood grocery shopping with the boys in getting ready for a surprise beach picnic while Slade is getting the massage. Grayson is a handful. Slade appreciates Jo's planning. On a different day, Slade and Jo go go karting, They make a bet, if Slade wins Jo has to clean the house dressed up as a French maid, and if Jo wins she gets a Louis Vuitton bag. Slade wins. Jo thinks Slade is being too seriously lately and this lightens him up.
Slade's parents visit from Alaska with their dog Kate in Shocking News. Kate does not like Jo, Slade thinks Jo is purposefully acting ditzy and is annoyed. They all go private furniture shopping, with the store closed for them. Slade's parents like Jo and wonder why she would voluntarily be tied down with a man with two kids at a young age. They hope the relationship lasts.
Later in the same episode, Jo and Slade go on a date. Slade makes comments of Jo's drinking, which annoys Jo. Slades asks Jo why she acts ditzy around his parents, which he does not like. Jo's friend Lindsey manages the restaurant they are at, and she sent over the biggest drink they have. They argue over the drink, with Jo playing around and Slade making serious comments about drinking. Jo goes to talk to Lindsey. Jo and Slade argue, Slade thinks Jo is immature and it's time to resume responsibilities. Jo reiterates the fact that she is 24 and wants to have fun. Jo wants Slade to loosen up, Slade comments on Jo going clubbing and talking to other guys. Jo is surprised by Slade's insecurity as the man she fell in love with is confident. Slade brings up the time Jo was drunk and forgot the proposal. Jo goes to confide in Lindsey, Lindsey invites Jo out to have a drink. Slade is mad when Jo tells him she's going out later. The couple seemingly breaks up, stating that "it's done". Slade leaves and Jo stays to drink at the bar. Jo breaks down. Jo states the engagement is off the next day.
Jo refreshes Kim on her breakup with Slade over tennis in The Finale. Jo states she's upset and Kim consoles her. Jo thinks they were both resentful to each other, Slade resents Jo for going out and leaving him with his kids. Jo resents Slade for making her feel guilty about having fun and taking care of kids that are not even hers. Slade works out and thinks Jo's clubbing was not acceptable for his children or for maintaining the relationship. After their date in the previous episode, Jo woke up early and left. Leaving her engagement ring behind, Jo texted Slade asking him to pack up her stuff and she will pick them up. Kim brings up the idea of couples therapy.
Slade confides with his friend Eric over cigar about the breakup. Slade is sad, stating the relationship was perfect aside from Jo's partying. Eric consoles him. Jo is picking up her belongings from Slade. Slade wants to talk, Jo seems to have her mind made up. Slade is condescending toward Jo, Jo matches his energy. Slade gets mad and takes the license plate off of Jo's car that he pays for. Jo takes off while Slade's taking the license plate off, Slade chases after her in his Hummer. Slade calls Jo multiple times and attempts to apologize, Jo does not pick up. Jo returns home crying and apologizes to Slade. The couple makes up.
At Kim's birthday party, Kim tells the ladies that Jo and Slade broke up. Jo and Slade arrive, not broken up. Jo feels awkward and is surprised that the ladies already knew they're broken up. The ladies talk to Jo, Kim brings up couple's therapy to Slade. Jo and Slade both hope their relationship work out. Jo and Slade broke up after Kim's party. Slade began dating Lauri six weeks later. Two weeks after that Jo and Slade got back together.
Jo received overwhelmingly positive support from the viewers in Reunion. Many encouraged her to leave Slade. Jo says she has learned from the other ladies that accomplishing professional goals and raising a family can go hand in hand. Jo says she has no regrets doing the show. Jo justifies the controlling image Slade comes off as. She denies the gold digger rumor. The drinking is brought up, Jo laughs it off. After their initial breakup, Jo went back to her parent's place. They both dated other people during their time apart. Slade never went out when they were together but Jo now sees him everywhere in clubs and restaurants. She witnessed Slade and Lauri together at a club, she went up to Slade and acknowledges that she sees them. Slade calls and sends Jo flowers. Jo feels betrayed by Lauri. Jo states she and Slade are leaving the past behind, and dating other people reaffirms their relationship. They officially announce that they are back together but not re-engaged. Jo reveals Slade and her had gone to couple's therapy, but only a few times and did not help much.
Season 2[]
Jo is going to the Playboy Mansion for the Midsummer Night's Dream party with her friend JJ in The Housewives Are Back!. Lauri attended the same party with Lorelei last year. Slade does not mind as he attended a Maxim party without Jo. Jo thinks Slade is insecure, Slade refutes. Slade calls Lauri to ask if she's going to the Playboy party. Slade follows Jo to the party an hour later, but gets turned around because he is not on the list. Another day, Jo tells Slade about the Playboy party, Slade questions Jo on if there were guys there. They are working on trust, Jo feels they might be growing apart.
Gallery[]
Promotional Photos[]
Confessional Interview Photos[]
Intro Cards[]
Finale Photos[]
Family Photos[]
Cameos[]
Episode 17
Episode 17
Episode 17
Ryan Boyajian Reunion
Episode 17
Filmography[]
TBA
Taglines[]
| "He’s pretty much keeping me." | ||
| "I deserve only the best. I’m worth it." | ||
Trivia[]
Franchise Facts[]
- She was one of the first five original 'Housewives' that starred on the inaugural season of the entire The Real Housewives franchise.
- She was the second 'Housewife' ever to have a tagline as she was second in the inaugural season’s intro.
- She was also one of the first four 'Housewives' to appear in a Reunion Special as she, alongside Vicki Gunvalson, Jeana Keough and Lauri Peterson, sat in Keough’s back garden to discuss the inaugural season’s events.
- There has been different stories put forward publicly as to how De La Rosa became a 'Housewife' in the first place.
- While no production source has ever suggested differently, it would be assumed that she went through the usual casting tape audition process and landed the role subsequently.
- However, Jo claimed that she paid her way onto the show as her then-fiancé, Slade Smiley, was so keen for her to reach the TV screens so she gave money towards the network to earn her spot on The Real Housewives of Orange County.
- While no production source has ever suggested differently, it would be assumed that she went through the usual casting tape audition process and landed the role subsequently.
- De La Rosa was the joint first 'Housewife' to star in two seasons on an installment but has since been beaten by: eighty-five 'Housewives' across the American installments of the franchise who have appeared in at least three or more seasons in a full-time capacity.
- She was the first 'Housewife' to receive a spin-off series, which was titled: Date My Ex: Jo and Slade.
Installment Facts[]
- De La Rosa starred on two seasons of The Real Housewives of Orange County; which five other 'Housewives' have done from the same installment, namely: Tammy Knickerbocker, Lynne Curtin, Lydia McLaughlin, Braunwyn Windham-Burke and current cast member, Jennifer Pedranti.
- Thirty additional 'Housewives' across the American version of the franchise have also completed two seasons as 'Housewives'.
- De La Rosa holds the longest gap (in terms of number of seasons and years) between her 'Guest Appearances' as she only appeared in a limited capacity in the show’s third and fourth seasons after the inaugural two seasons as a 'Housewife' and then returned after a thirteen season absence to film for the show’s upcoming eighteenth season as a 'Guest'.
- She was the first 'Housewife' on The Real Housewives of Orange County to receive a spin-off series.