Shannon Beador and her boyfriend John Janssen have called it quits after three and a half years together.
The ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ star, 58, announced on Wednesday that she was “blindsided” when Janssen, 59, dumped her in late November, just a week after wrapping filming for season 17 of Bravo show.
“We were in a great place,” she told People. “But seven days later when the cameras went out it was a whole different story. He told me he was done with the relationship. And hearing what he said to me then was absolutely devastating.
The reality star, who was previously married to David Beador for 18 years, shared that she “never loved anyone more” than Janssen.
“I hoped he was the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with,” she told the magazine. “I wanted it to work. I’ve never loved anyone like I loved John. But clearly, he didn’t feel the same.
After the split, the exes saw each other at two University of Southern California games — and Shannon even posted selfies with Janssen on Instagram on both occasions.
“I was hoping we could find a way forward,” she said of the skirmishes. “But being around each other only made things harder for both of us.”
Since then, however, Shannon and Janssen have kept their distance and even recently unfollowed on Instagram.
“The holidays were very, very difficult. I couldn’t believe he wasn’t there, and there were days I cried myself to sleep,” she admitted. “But it’s a new year, and I’m ready for a fresh start.”
Janssen, the president of an insurance brokerage, also spoke to People, sharing that he’s “suffering” over his “super tough” decision to quit with Bravolebrity.
“It’s sad because I love Shannon so much,” he said. “I loved her more deeply than any woman in my life…And I know that as long as I live, I will never meet someone like her again.
“But that doesn’t mean we’re meant for each other for the rest of our lives,” he added.
Janssen said he realized he didn’t “believe” in their relationship because “love isn’t always enough.”
“I think Shannon’s world,” he concluded. “I just want the best for her. She deserves it.
The couple started dating after meeting through mutual friends in 2019. Viewers have watched the ups and downs of their relationship unfold over the past few seasons of ‘RHOC’ – including Shannon’s apologizing to Janssen for treating him badly during the COVID-19 lockdown and responding to a rumor that he was kicked out of a golf tournament because he was too drunk.
Shannon and her ex-husband, David, 58, share three daughters: Sophie, 21, and twins Stella and Adeline, 18.
Season 17 of “RHOC” will air later this year on Bravo.
