Dolores Catania, known for her larger-than-life personality and sharp wit on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, is making waves on the new season of The Traitors, where she found herself standing tall as the last remaining housewife. In this exclusive interview, Catania opens up about her experience on the show, the challenges she faced, and what it was like to compete against a group of incredibly strategic players, all while representing the Real Housewives legacy.

Surviving the Traitors’ Mind Games

The Traitors is a game of deception, where the players must navigate alliances, betrayals, and psychological warfare to win a hefty cash prize. Dolores, who has spent years in the public eye navigating the complexities of family dynamics and friendships, quickly became a fan favorite for her no-nonsense attitude and strong intuition. However, this was a very different kind of challenge—one where she had to use her wit, charm, and gut instincts to determine who was lying and who could be trusted.

Reflecting on her experience, Dolores admits that her time on The Traitors was a rollercoaster. “It was unlike anything I’ve ever done,” Dolores says with a laugh. “On RHONJ, we fight, we argue, we laugh, and we’re all pretty open with each other. But on The Traitors, you’re second-guessing every move you make, and sometimes, you don’t even know who you can trust—including the people you thought were your allies.”

Dolores was thrust into a game that tests every ounce of a person’s mental acuity, and as a housewife from one of the most drama-filled franchises in the Real Housewives universe, it was a whole new kind of competition for her. She had to balance the act of being shrewd, likeable, and strategic—all while keeping her own feelings of betrayal in check.

The Last Housewife Standing

As the game progressed, Dolores managed to outlast her RHONJ counterparts, making it to the end as the last remaining housewife. While most of her fellow housewives were eliminated early on due to the brutal nature of the game, Dolores’ resilience and sharp instincts kept her in the game. “The fact that I was the last one standing from The Housewives was a huge compliment,” she says. “There were some really strong personalities and strategic players, so it felt really rewarding to stick it out and be the last one there. But honestly, I wasn’t expecting it at all!”

The mental and emotional toll of The Traitors isn’t something many fans understand, especially given how much reality TV stars like Dolores are accustomed to facing public scrutiny. But here, on The Traitors, the game’s social manipulation and secrecy take the stakes to a whole new level.

“I have a very strong sense of intuition, and I think that helped me stay one step ahead of the game,” Dolores shares. “It was also about keeping your emotions in check—something that comes naturally for me on RHONJ, but on The Traitors, it was even more critical. The minute you show weakness, you’re a target.”

The Game Behind the Game

One of the key elements of The Traitors is the alliance system, where players must form tight-knit groups to try to figure out who the “Traitors” are, while the Traitors work to eliminate the rest of the group without being detected. Dolores wasn’t just playing the game of The Traitors—she was also playing the game of human psychology.

“I was constantly reading people and trying to figure out who was bluffing,” Dolores explains. “It felt like a game of chess. You had to anticipate everyone’s next move, and at times, it was a battle of who could lie the best. I wasn’t the best at lying, but I’m good at reading people, and I think that’s what kept me in the game.”

Dolores had to juggle being both a trustworthy player and a savvy competitor, which often put her in tricky situations. But it’s no secret that the Housewives franchise has trained her well in the art of conflict resolution and standing her ground. “I’ve been through so much on RHONJ, I know how to handle myself in high-stakes situations. The only difference here was that there were so many more layers to it.”

Navigating Friendships and Betrayal

For those who know Dolores from RHONJ, her loyalty to her friends is well-documented. On The Traitors, however, friendships could easily be fractured. With alliances constantly shifting, Dolores had to make hard decisions—often choosing the path that was best for her game, even if it meant betraying someone she considered a friend.

“I did feel bad when I had to turn on some of the people I had formed connections with,” Dolores admits. “But that’s the nature of the game. In the end, it’s about winning, and I knew I had to make some tough calls. I just tried to stay true to myself, and my goal was always to outsmart the Traitors without losing my integrity.”

Despite the cutthroat nature of the game, Dolores has nothing but respect for her fellow contestants. “Everyone was really there to win, and I respect that. It wasn’t about being the loudest or the most dramatic—it was about being the smartest and keeping your cool. That’s what made it so intense.”

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Dolores?

As for what’s next for Dolores Catania, she’s as busy as ever, balancing her RHONJ obligations with new opportunities that have arisen from her The Traitors appearance. “I’ve always loved a good challenge, and The Traitors definitely gave me that,” Dolores says. “But I’m not slowing down anytime soon. Whether it’s on RHONJ or wherever life takes me, I’m ready for whatever comes next.”

Fans can expect to see more of her as she continues her journey in the Real Housewives universe, but also in other projects that may surprise them. “I’m open to all kinds of opportunities,” she adds with a smile. “I’m just doing me, and if the world wants to watch, I’m happy to give them a front-row seat.”

Final Thoughts

Being the last standing housewife on The Traitors is a monumental achievement for Dolores Catania, showcasing her resilience, strategic mind, and ability to navigate one of the most complex social games in television. As the season progresses, viewers will continue to watch her play, but this victory, and the lessons learned, will no doubt stay with her long after the cameras stop rolling.

Dolores may have gone into The Traitors with an open mind, but she certainly emerged with a stronger sense of who she is and what it takes to win in any environment. One thing is for sure—whether it’s reality TV or strategic competition, Dolores Catania knows how to stand her ground and make her mark.