RHONJ Alum Dina Manzo Shares Uplifitng Life Update After a Year of Growth
Posted January 10, 2026×
“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” alum Dina Manzo continues to share life updates with fans, even years after stepping away from the franchise. Manzo, who last appeared on season 6 of the Bravo series, recently took to Instagram to reflect on the past year, describing it as one that both “humbled” and “tested” her while inspiring growth.
Dina Manzo Reflects on Lessons Learned Heading Into 2026
“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” alum Dina Manzo is reflecting on a challenging year, sharing in an Instagram post that featured snapshots of her many travels as she wrote that 2025 “humbled me, tested me, pushed me and taught me things maybe I didn’t want to learn.”
Though Manzo did not share specifics about what unfolded during the past 12 months, she ended her post on an optimistic note, emphasizing growth, love, and looking ahead.
“But I’m Still here. Still growing and still choosing truth over comfort,” she shared, adding, “Being human is a school with no graduation day, every joy is a lesson, every wound a teacher, and LOVE is the final exam we keep retaking until we remember who we are.”
“2026 let’s do this with creativity, community, understanding and most importantly with ease with ease with ease. Amen.”
Manzo Now Resides in Montecito, California
Manzo moved to California shortly after she appeared on RHONJ season 6. Speaking with Page Six in 2016, she shared, “I came out here initially just for a mental break and to get away from it all. It’s easier to deal with things from 3,000 miles away and once I got here, I was like, ‘I love it here. I don’t really want to go back.’”
At the same time, she met and fell in love with businessman David Cantin, whom she met at her charity, Project Ladybug. “I was getting a divorce and I was like, ‘I’m never doing this again. … I was fine just never falling in love again and, you know, I guess some things happen when you’re not really looking for it,” she told the outlet.
The couple wed in 2017 and continued to reside in California with Manzo’s daughter, Lexi Iaonnou. According to The New York Post, in 2023, they purchased a whopping $16 million home in Montecito, the same community where Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also reside.
The new year appears to be off to a strong start for Manzo, who has officially launched her retail and gathering space, Montecito Social.
Sharing a post on Instagram about her new venture, she shared, “Introducing @montecitosocial — a beautiful new retail and gathering space in Montecito, curated by @dina and @jennymontecito. Featuring floral drops, creative workshops and a holiday boutique with @thefloralsociety and @trouvailleimports.”
