Credit: Rich Polk/Bravo, Instagram
Craig Conover and the rest of the cast are gearing up for the premiere of Southern Charm season 11. Recently, the reality star and businessman opened up about what fans can expect from the show, his relationship with Austen Kroll and Shep Rose, and why he didn’t mention Paige DeSorbo by name during the season premiere.
Season 11 of Southern Charm premiered on November 19. In addition to Craig, 36, Austen, 38, and Shep, 45, the season features Salley Carson, 30, Madison LeCroy, 35, Rodrigo Reyes, 40, Venita Aspen, 31, and Patricia Altchul, 83, as well as Whitney Sudler-Smith, 57, and Molly O’Connell, 37. Charley Manley and Whitner Slagsvol are the new cast members.
Craig recently interviewed with Decider about the new season of Southern Charm. He was asked if the fact that he didn’t refer to Paige by name in the premiere episode was intentional and if it was in response to her saying he shouldn’t talk about her.
He responded, “Oh, no. Yeah, I can see how that would come off. Life’s funny, and that’s why watching our lives on these shows is so interesting because we actually are just doing this for the first time, right? Everything you see me going through, I’m just trying to figure out for the first time ever.”
Caig continued, “I get to speak around the country, and I get to speak about small businesses and home shows and stuff. You never know, out of respect, whether to say your ex’s name now that she’s not on the show. So you’re like, ‘I don’t want to say your name if you’re not comfortable with it.’ But then when you say, ‘My ex,’ you’re almost, not dehumanizing them, but taking the personalization out of it. You’re like, ‘I have no problem saying your name.'”
He then said, “But we had just started filming again for the first time in a year. It was the first time we were filming since the breakup. And what you’re watching is me just trying to navigate life in this new chapter that I definitely didn’t plan on being in, but you just put your best step forward.”
From there, he was asked about Shep and questioned about whether both being single would cause them to fall back into old habits. This is especially the case with them both attending BravoCon. The interviewer also asked if Craig thinks Shep has evolved.
Craig stated, “I think he’s going to make it through Sunday this year. I got hopes that we’re going to have a great time. He’s excited for it. He self-admittedly does not volunteer himself to go to Vegas in regular life. He knows his boundaries, but he’s ready.”
Regarding their relationship, Craig revealed, “Shep and I are actually in probably the best place that we’ve ever been. It was such a nice thing to have our friendship get to a level where we both accepted each other for who we are, which is complete opposites. We just are. We’ll never understand each other [and] both of us have finally accepted that that’s okay.”
Regarding falling back into old habits, the Southern Charm star said, “I wouldn’t characterize it as falling back into bad habits. It really is just me trying to figure it out. I would rather stay home and watch movies with someone all day long. But now if you don’t have that, you have to go out and meet people.”
From there, the interviewer asked Craig about his seemingly complex relationship with Austen and if it ever interferes with business. “You never know when Austen’s going to have an issue with something I do. It’s very unpredictable. I’m just as surprised as everyone a lot of times. But, fortunately, we have such a great team of people around us,” Craig said.
Craig added, “Once again, you’ll just see us try to figure out what our friendship is. Austen had some issues last year with me not being around enough. This year, you’ll see the opposite concern. It’s hard to keep track of. But I love him to death, and hopefully we have a great BravoCon together.”
The conversation then turned to JT Thomas, his recent move, and if Craig thinks they can mend things in the future. The Sewing Down South owner said, “Oh, I don’t know. I didn’t know he moved to Bali. That’s cool. Again, we’re all just trying to figure our life out, and if that’s what works for him then I wish him the best.”
He continued, “I’m going to root for him, and if he decides to move back to the States, I don’t see why not. But we don’t really cross paths that much. We just don’t cross paths. I’ll have to catch up on that story. I haven’t seen that.”
Next, he was asked about showmances, especially given that the trailer makes it seem as though he and Salley will get closer in season 11. Craig responded, “With a town as small as Charleston, it’s really hard to find space, or at least enough space, to not develop feelings for people you hang out with. Also, as you get later in life, you don’t meet as many people as you did when you were younger.”
From there, he also reacted to the fanfare surrounding the viral video he posted with his ex, Naomie Olindo. Craig said of it, “What great closure for everyone who’s been invested in our lives and stuff. I thought it was a pretty great idea of hers.”
He went on, “We have a very, I guess, normal relationship now. Charleston really is small, like I can keep saying, but we have all the same friends, and so it’s nice to be able to coexist in a friend way.”
Fans can catch up on Southern Charm on Peacock. New episodes air on Thursdays at 9/8c on Bravo.