Shannon Storms Beador is opening up after her boyfriend of three and a half years, John Janssen, ended their relationship over a month ago.
The Real Housewives of Orange County star, 58, exclusively tells PEOPLE about the final days of her romance, saying she "was blindsided by the breakup."
Janssen, 59, pulled the plug on their pairing in late November, a week after filming wrapped on season 17 of the hit Bravo series, on which Beador has been a full-time cast member for the past nine seasons.
"All I can do is repeat in my head what he said to me while we were filming," Beador shares, when asked to look back at what led to the split. "We were in a great place. But seven days later, when the cameras were down, it was a completely different story. He told me he was done with the relationship. And to hear what he said to me then was absolutely devastating."
"I've never loved anyone more in my life," Beador says, of Janssen. "I was hopeful this was the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with. I wanted it to work out. I've never loved anyone like I've loved John. But clearly, he didn't feel the same way."
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/shannon-storms-beador-john-janssen-bravocon-011123-2-a111eb55ea2649ad9f8b5c4f7e0a4b95.jpg "Shannon Beador 'Blindsided' as Boyfriend John Janssen Ends Their Romance, 3½ Years Into Dating (1)")
Shannon Beador's Boyfriend Pens Loving Message on Her Birthday: 'You Are My Forever and Ever'
Reached for comment, Janssen tells PEOPLE that the breakup was a "super hard" decision for him to make.
"I've been in pain over it," he says. "It's sad because I love Shannon very much. I have loved her more deeply than any woman in my life. She's one of a kind; so funny and generous and full of life and adventurous. We have a connection that's unlike anything I've ever had. And I know that for as long as I live, I'll never meet anyone like her again. But that doesn't mean we're right for each other for the rest of our lives."
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(719x0:721x2)/Shannon-Beador-9788ae0fcb34479c8856e354d6aaed2d.jpg "Shannon Beador 'Blindsided' as Boyfriend John Janssen Ends Their Romance, 3½ Years Into Dating (2)")
Janssen went on to explain once he came to the conclusion the relationship wasn't forever, he knew it was time to end things. "It doesn't make sense to be together if you don't believe in it," the businessman says. He just didn't want Beador to suffer the humiliation of doing that on camera.
"The last thing I wanted to do is hurt Shannon, but I do think I did the right thing for the both of us," Janssen tells PEOPLE. "We're two people who love each other very much, but love is not always enough. And while I know Shannon sees it as I've said things to her I never meant, I hope she'll be able to see that there's no bad person here. It's two really good people who couldn't make it work."
Beador and Janssen met in 2019 through mutual friends. They went public with their romance to PEOPLE that July.
They saw one another twice after their split, at two separate University of Southern California games on Nov. 26 and Dec. 3. (The two studied at the famed institution at the same time, though they didn't know each other.)
"I was hopeful we could find a way forward," Beador tells PEOPLE. "But being around one another only made it harder for both of us."
They haven't seen each other since, and are no longer following one another on social media.
"The holidays were very, very difficult," Beador says. "I couldn't believe he wasn't here, and there would be days I would just cry myself to sleep. But it's a new year, and I'm ready for a fresh start."
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(539x0:541x2)/67831970_2128422150790953_1844700425026551956_n-c9b1271c5fea42938f47b77aacad8654.jpg "Shannon Beador 'Blindsided' as Boyfriend John Janssen Ends Their Romance, 3½ Years Into Dating (3)")
She recalls how she went to the Golden Door health and wellness retreat in Escondido, California, back in 2016, while at a crossroads in her marriage to ex-husband David Beador. The two wound up divorcing a year later, after 17 years wed.
Now, the mother of three daughters — who shares Sophie, 21, plus twins Stella and Adeline, 18, with David, 58 — says she plans on returning to the destination later this month for another visit.
"Being at the Golden Door the first time gave me clarity in my relationship and helped me find the strength to move forward on a path of independence," she recalls. "I have no doubt that returning will once again provide me with the perspective and healing to start this next chapter from a place of peace."
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(679x0:681x2)/Shannon-Beador_5-2000-618c06fb31614901af4907899b3db758.jpg "Shannon Beador 'Blindsided' as Boyfriend John Janssen Ends Their Romance, 3½ Years Into Dating (4)")
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As for Janssen? "I think the world of Shannon," he tells PEOPLE. "I just want the best for her. She deserves that."
Season 17 of The Real Housewives of Orange County is expected to premiere late this year on Bravo.
FAQs
Why did John dump Shannon? ›
Why did Shannon and John from 'RHOC' break up? In a conversation with Page Six, Shannon revealed that John had dumped her in November 2022 after nearly four years of dating due to constant “bickering” that they just “couldn't get past.” Initially, she had a tough time with the break-up and felt blindsided.
Are Shannon Beador and John Janssen still together? ›Shannon and John's relationship was documented on RHOC and appeared to be going strong, which is why some Bravo viewers were shocked to learn the couple had called it quits in late 2022.
What happened to Shannon and John from housewives? ›Shannon says she and John will “never” get back together
' It was just the bickering, bickering, bickering. And that's not a way for anybody to live. We couldn't get past it.” Shannon added that she and John are currently on friendly terms.
Shannon and David Beador Aren't Getting Back Together
During a heartfelt conversation, another guest asked Shannon if there were any sparks between her and David, especially as he recently became single. Without hesitation, the reality TV star replied in the negative. She said: “Absolutely zero sparks.”
“I knew an allegation was put out there about my husband … that stress caused me to eat more, caused me to drink more, and that's a huge part of why I gained my weight,” Shannon said during the season 12 premiere of RHOC. “My weight gain has affected me and how I feel about myself. I'm embarrassed of my body.”
What does John Janssen do for a living? ›Outside of being known as her ex-boyfriend, John is known for his career as a businessman. At this time, additional details on his personal life are unclear because he often stays out of the spotlight and off social media.
What is the secret about Shannon and John? ›Shannon revealed in an interview with Page Six in June 2023 that she and John broke up after months of constant “bickering” that they just “couldn't get past.”
When did Shannon and John break up? ›Shannon and John's romance was featured on the hit reality TV series since the couple started dating in June 2019. Fans cheered the romantic comeback for Shannon, who endured an unhappy marriage with David Beador. Sadly, Shannon and John called it quits in November 2022, just after filming for Season 17 wrapped.
Does Shannon Beador get spousal support? ›David agreed to pay Shannon $2,935 per month in child support plus $7,065 for spousal support. Shannon walked away with a 2015 Cadillac Escalade, a 2018 BMW 7 Series sedan, and several bank accounts.
Why is Shannon not friends with Tamra? ›Despite Shannon feeling like she was a good friend to Tamra — claiming she reached out to Tamra numerous times to no avail — she said Tamra continuously “came up with new falsehoods about me” during the two years she was off the show. “I was crushed,” Shannon admitted.
Are Tamra and Shannon Beador still friends? ›
After a two-year estrangement, the former best friends had an emotional reunion on The Real Housewives of Orange County's season 17 premiere. But as the June 7 episode teased, there's a major fight between the two Bravo co-stars still to come as they try to salvage their relationship.
Is Braunwyn still married? ›Braunwyn, 45 — who came out as a lesbian in December 2020 — finally filed for divorce in October 2022 after an extended separation from Sean. Together, she and the businessman share Bella, 22, Rowan, 20, Jacob, 17, twins Caden and Curren, 9, Koa, 8, and Hazel, 5.
How much did Shannon get in the divorce from David? ›For the settlement, RHOC alum David reportedly paid Shannon $1.4 million along with $7,065 in monthly spousal support and $2,935 in monthly child support. Shannon and David's tumultuous relationship and its end played out across several seasons of RHOC.
What happened to Shannon Beador's ex husband? ›David married Lesley Cook back in 2020, with the pair ultimately filing for divorce two years later in 2022. The couple shares a 2-year-old daughter, Anna, together. "I'm surprised that it took this long," Shannon said of David and Lesley having a kid.
Why did David and Shannon divorce? ›Shannon and David were previously married for 17 years ahead of their 2017 split after he cheated on her. The now-exes share daughters Sophie, born in 2001, and twins Stella and Adaline, born in 2003.
Why did Shannon and her husband divorce? ›The Real Housewives Of Orange County star, 59, whose divorce from David was finalized in April 2019 following his infidelity, crossed paths with her ex, 58, while dining at an Orange County hotspot called The Quiet Woman.
What did Shannon get in the divorce? ›Shannon Beador Awarded $1.4 Million in Divorce Settlement, $10,000 in Monthly Support from David.
Did Shannon say that Gina's house was sad? ›Though Braunwyn Windham-Burke has alleged that Shannon referred to the home as "small and sad," Shannon maintains that she said no such thing. And when Shannon appeared on Watch With Happens Live With Andy Cohen on November 18, she stood by her story.