Slade Smiley is a former recurring cast member on The Real Housewives of Orange County.
Cast[]
Slade was the fiancee of Jo De La Rosa, who 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). He remained on the show until the second season. But later returned as he started dating another The Real Housewives of Orange County housewife, Gretchen Rossi.
Away from the main show, Smiley 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[]
Professional Endeavors[]
Season 1[]
Slade meets with a potential client in Is It Hunting Season, Yet, but it did not go well. Slade vents to Jo about the meeting over dinner. Slade conjures a plan to meet with this valuable client in the wild. 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. 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.
Family[]
Gavin Smiley[]
Season 1[]
In Cut The ‘P’ and ‘Lem’ Out of Problem and You Get ROB, Slade has a costume collection hobby, which both his sons also enjoy. Slade has so much a storage unit is required to store the collection. Gavin enjoys Slade's company, and thinks he's like a big kid.
Relationships[]
Jo De La Rosa[]
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.
Lauri Peterson[]
Season 1[]
In The Finale, it is revealed Slade dated Lauri after breaking up with Jo, but ended up getting back with Jo two week later. In Reunion, Slade told Lauri that Jo and him had completely broken up when they started talking. Lauri corroborated Jo's story of seeing them in the club, but they have since broken up as well.
Season 2[]
Slade calls Lauri in The Housewives Are Back!, to ask if she's going to the Playboy party that Jo is attending.
Gallery[]
Confessionals Interview Photos[]
Finale Photos[]
Family Confessionals Interview Photos[]
Trivia[]
- Slade was the 1986 Alaska State Cycling Champion.