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John Oates
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STEVE EARLE
51 YEARS OF SONGS AND STORIES
than say no to it and then regret and wonder‘ what if’ forever. It’ s a huge opportunity and Jared [ Haibon ] loves his home state, and it’ s crazy we get to be a part of such a huge thing in his beloved home state. I did make friends through it. I feel like I have more of a community now. I feel like I really do belong more in Rhode Island because of it. LIZ: It was all reservations. I tried to duck out a few times. Putting your whole life and relationships on blast— that’ s not for the faint of heart. When you’ re in a position like Gerry [ McGraw, her husband ] and I, where we’ re kind of trailblazing and doing our thing, people come after you. I was wary of that. I’ m also much older than the rest of the cast, so I struggled with that.
Favorite spots to shop, grab a bite and hang out in Rhode Island? LIZ: What’ s interesting is some of our absolute favorite restaurants were opposed to us filming. Again, it’ s a tight-knit state. A lot of it is NIMBYism. Maybe they’ re afraid we are going to flip tables. There’ s a stigma to it, so a lot of my favorite places were not super interested. I think maybe for season two that may change. We can only bring in more business. ALICIA: For shopping, Garden City Center. For restaurants I go wherever. The food is good everywhere. I love Ten Prime Steak & Sushi and Twin Oaks more than anything in this world. The garlic bread dipped in the marinara sauce is so good. I love Cafe Nuovo on WaterFire nights and doing the [ gondola ] ride that makes you feel like you’ re in Italy. ASHLEY: When my dad was in his residency, we lived up in Boston for four years. So when I was little my parents would always go to Newport on the weekends. It’ s still very much my happy place in the state. I cross that bridge and feel like I’ m in a fairy tale. I love Watch Hill. I’ ll always have lunch at Ocean House and, of course, see Taylor Swift’ s house. Wickford is more of my day-today because I go there all the time.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Read the extended version at RIMonthly. com / real-housewives-ofrhode-island-2. 🆁
28 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I JULY 2026