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Credit: Instagram
Craig Conover has finally come forward with a photo of the engagement ring he bought Paige DeSorbo prior to their November 2024 breakup.
After months of people questioning whether he’d actually purchased a ring, including the 32-year-old Summer House alum herself, Craig, 36, appeared on a podcast, where the Southern Charm cast member spoke of the ring he got for his now-ex-girlfriend, and shared the first photo.
During the Summer House season 9 reunion, which aired in May, Paige suggested Craig lied about his claim that he had purchased an engagement ring for her.
“That ring does not exist,” said Paige, before adding that Craig’s story of returning the ring during his visit to WWHL in New York was questionable. “How convenient. The day he’s on [WWHL], him and his new girlfriend went and returned my ring? I don’t think so, Andy. That’s insane.”
Fast forward to today, and Craig is now responding and showing his receipts.
“When I heard this rumor that like, it wasn’t real, I was like, ‘Why didn’t anyone just ask me to see the ring?’” Craig wondered on the June 25 episode of The Toast, confirming that he had a “timestamped” photo of the item.
“I was like, ‘Why would anyone say that? That’s so mean.’ I was like, ‘I’m dealing with enough here.’ Also, if it wasn’t malicious, just ask me to see the picture,” Craig continued.
Then giving the host, Jackie Oshry, a look at the ring, Craig said, “I think I did a good job. It was a 4-carat elongated cushion cut with a hidden halo under it. It was platinum.”
Southern Charm Craig Conover Debuts the Ring He Bought for Paige DeSorbo During an Appearance on The Toast podcast. Credit: The Toast
As for why he didn’t share the image sooner, Craig said he tries to “stay out” of rumors and online drama.
“Paige and I never posted together because we didn’t have anything to prove. Like, we saved it for the show, but we lived a pretty decent life offline and so the last thing I was gonna do was start to give in to people,” he reasoned. “[Because] you saying you’re entitled to my business doesn’t, like, I don’t owe you anything. But if I start to try to prove things to you [it’s a never-ending cycle].”
As the ring was displayed on Craig’s photo, Jackie also looked at the metadata for the image and confirmed the photo was taken in Charleston, South Carolina, on March 11.
Image: The Toast
Looking back on his decision to purchase the ring, Craig admitted, “It was a really fun process.”
“And I’m excited to do it again one day. I really don’t think this has ruined anything for me. Now, returning it, that’s a weird day … I mean, returning an engagement ring isn’t something you plan on doing,” he noted. “When I brought it back, I felt weird.”
After venturing back to the jewelry store where he bought the ring, Craig learned its value had dropped. And, when Jackie asked him if it had been resold, he confirmed it had not.
Also on the podcast, Craig revealed he was single following a split, seemingly from rumored girlfriend Natalie Buffett.
“I am. I was seeing a really nice girl — she will be someone’s perfect person. I just wasn’t ready to date. She’s just a wonderful person, but I really was like, ‘I have some healing to do. I have to go find myself again.’”
Southern Charm season 11 is currently in production and expected to air later this year on Bravo.
