Fans first met Maddi Reese on the debut season of Bravo’s “Southern Hospitality,” a show that follows former “Southern Charm” star Leva Bonaparte’s employees at Charleston, South Carolina’s premiere club, Republic Garden & Lounge.
Unlike many of her castmates, Reese has been sober for over 10 years, which can make working in and socializing around the nightlife scene challenging. However, she’s continued to thrive both on and off screen, most recently celebrating a major milestone in her sobriety journey.
Maddi Reese Celebrates 12 Years of Sobriety
Getty“Southern Hospitality” star Maddi Reese is celebrating a major milestone in her sobriety journey. Taking to Instagram Stories in April, Reese revealed she was 12 years sober. The reality TV star shared a chocolate cake with the number “12” surrounded by candles.
She captioned her photo, “12 years no beers. So grateful for the life I’m living.” In a second snap, Reese enjoyed a tin of “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Meredith Mark’s famous caviar.
According to Bravo, when Reese made her reality TV debut on “Southern Hospitality” in 2022, she opened up about being nine years sober from drugs and alcohol. Reese explained that she had begun drinking when she was just 12, but later “had to switch to drugs” when her parents purchased a breathalyzer. It took Reese four attempts in treatment until she finally got sober.
Speaking to People to mark 10 years of sobriety, she shared that staying clear from drugs and alcohol “saved me.”
“It saved me. I look back at my life then and yeah, I don’t know where I would be had I not gotten sober. I’ve learned so much about myself and I’m super proud of the person I am today because of it,” she said.
She continued, “I definitely have had my ups and downs with my sobriety, but right now I’m in a really, really, really strong place. I’m going on 10 years, which is so scary and crazy to me in a way because it went by so fast. But I can only hope the next 10 will be as seamless.”
‘Southern Hospitality’ Viewers Have Found Her Journey ‘Inspirational’
GettyWhile sobriety isn’t always front and center when it comes to Bravo shows, Reese is an exception. Fans have embraced her openness about her journey, finding her relatable, especially as she works in an environment where drinking is often the norm.
In her interview with People, Reese shared why she was so candid about her sobriety. “I’m super open about it because I want that accountability. I don’t want to be drinking, I don’t want to be using — I know where that road leads me. So talking about it keeps me on that path.”
“Believe me, on a nightly basis at work, I’m much more worried about trying to navigate my anxiety than I am my sobriety,” Reese added. “It’s a lot of pressure, you know what I’m saying? And I’m always trying to figure out who I can trust, how to deal with the drama, stuff like that. That’s the real stress!”
The DJ also discussed knowing that viewers and fans have found her story “inspirational.”
“It really means the world to me, because my story is very unique, but it just shows me how much addiction affects everyone. We all have different stories, but the disease is what ties us together,” Reese shared.
While it’s a very, very accomplished milestone she has reached; I would ask this of anyone/any gender, the same question: if the #1 problem area in your life is alcohol, *why*, exactly, would a person *sign up* to be around the substance * as a job*?
THAT stress, alone, let alone the stress of that pressure cooker club environment? Why do people *intentionally* harm their mental illness this way- Then, complain about it all?! If you have a *deathly* fear of heights…..WHY not sign up as a Para Glider instructor ? 🤪 It’s a self induced, little bit of madness…..a TV show is *not* worth your own health!