Credit: Todd Williamson/Bravo
Craig Conover claims Shep Rose’s drinking and Austen Kroll‘s new romance will be featured in storylines on the upcoming 10th season of Southern Charm.
While teasing fans of what is to come on the new episodes, Craig, 36, revealed that Shep, 44, will be seen navigating his less-boozy life as Austen, 37, showcases his relationship with Audrey Platt and noted that his own years-long romance with Summer House cast member Paige DeSorbo, 31, would also be highlighted.
“I think that’s going to be a big part of this season, obviously, which is fun,” Craig told Us Weekly on June 17 of Shep’s decision to cut back on his drinking. “I think the viewer and us as friends — we’re basically like family — have a lot to look forward to for Shep’s future.”
As Southern Charm fans may recall, Shep admitted to feeling that his drinking had become an issue at the season nine reunion and later decided to cut liquor out of his diet completely, which Craig had done years prior.
“I’ve been on a similar journey. Mine just started a little before him,” Craig explained. “I’m happy that I can share my experience with getting healthier and just cleaning out my life and finding better habits. It’s a journey and you’ll get to see part of that journey.”
As Craig and Shep navigate their new drinking habits on the show in an effort to show people “that they’re not alone in their craziness and struggles,” they’re also trying to figure out what their friendship looks like without their usual partying.
“Shep was able to come to Nashville with me and see the new [Sewing Down South] store and be excited with me for that,” Craig revealed. “I think sharing more of our lives with each other that’s outside that party scene is more important now than ever. I think it’ll be exciting to see.”
As for Austen, who went public with girlfriend Audrey earlier this year after splitting from Olivia Flowers, 32, in 2022, Craig said he’ll be featured “figuring out the dating world with his girlfriend” on season 10.
“And Shep’s in his 40s. So maybe our show’s about showing people it’s never too late to find love. I don’t know,” Craig added.
Moving on to his own relationship, Craig said that after nearly three years of dating, he and Paige have “just really hit a great spot” in their romance.
“We’ve got our bees, she was down [in Charleston] yesterday and we got our new bees and we’re hanging out with them. Then we get to go up to the city and live the New York City lifestyle. And for us it works,” he stated.
Then, regarding their future, Craig said he hoped they would eventually get engaged.
“I think the goal now is to be engaged one day. To get married one day and have kids one day,” he revealed. “And whenever that happens for us, it happens. It’ll be a surprise.”
When Southern Charm premieres later this year, fans will see Paige making some appearances.
“I think it’s really unique that we get to see the dynamics between the two shows. She gets to come down for Southern Charm and jump in [and] just kind of observe the craziness of our friend group,” Craig continued. “It’s always fun to pop into the craziness of their friend group [on Summer House], and I think that they have a lot of stuff going on.”
“It’ll be exciting to see how we all evolve over the next few years with Bravo,” Craig continued. “Our lives are changing, TV’s changing and how that looks and how we can share even more of our lives with the viewers I think is what I’m excited about.”
Looking back at his many years on the show, which premiered in 2013, Craig revealed he began filming when he was just 24.
“I’m 36 now. So people have watched me grow up through my 20s and 30s, and it was a roller-coaster of a ride,” he admitted.
Southern Charm season 10 is set to premiere on Bravo sometime this fall.
