"I need to set a boundary" — Southern Charm star Austen opens up about his relationship with Craig and Shep

Southern Charm season 10 brought new developments to light, with the cast exploring shifting friendships and personal boundaries. In an interview with Decider on December 19, 2024, Austen Kroll addressed his relationships with castmates, Craig Conover and Shep Rose. He shed light on how he managed the dynamics in this season. Regarding his approach, Austen stated:

"Me not talking to Shep for this little time period was very tough for me. But I was like, ‘I need to set a boundary, and I never have, and if I don’t, then Shep will kind of continue his behavior.’"

The current season also revisited the fallout from Austen’s kiss with Taylor Ann Green, a moment that stirred tension among the cast and fans alike. In the interview, Austen shared that he focused on moving forward and balancing personal growth.

Here’s a closer look at Austen’s reflections on Southern Charm Season 10, including his relationship with Craig, his new girlfriend, and what’s next for the cast.

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Southern Charm: Austen’s relationship with Craig Conover and setting boundaries with Shep Rose

Austen Kroll opened up about his evolving friendship with Craig Conover, noting the challenges that came with being friends while on a reality show. Austen remarked that Craig sometimes projected an “image” for his business and set boundaries better than he did. He added:

“Craig’s just better at doing that. I don’t agree with it all the time and how he does it … but I admire how he is able to set boundaries more clearly and definitively than I am.”

Following Austen’s kiss with Taylor Ann Green on the show, Shep felt frustrated. Austen admitted that navigating their friendship required a lot of patience.

"I had to actually put the brakes on our friendship," he revealed.

Despite these challenges, Austen noted that he and Shep even attended a basketball game shortly after the incident. However, their bond remained a work in progress, as both continued to navigate the complexities of their relationship on Southern Charm.

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Austen’s new girlfriend and personal growth

In addition to the drama on Southern Charm, Austen’s personal life had been a point of interest onscreen. In the interview, he mentioned his girlfriend, Audrey, and described their relationship as a positive influence on his life. Austen shared:

“Things are going great with Audrey. She’s actually here in New York. I just feel great.”

Austen credited his bond with Audrey as one of the reasons he felt more secure in both his personal and professional life. He added that he had also been prioritizing his own growth, focusing on maintaining healthier relationships.

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Fallout from the kiss with Taylor Ann Green

The aftermath of Austen’s kiss with Taylor Ann Green continued to loom over Southern Charm season 10. The kiss, which happened after the Season 8 reunion, created tension not only between Austen and Shep but also among the broader cast.

Reflecting on the incident, Austen explained that both he and Taylor decided it was best to take a step back from their friendship to avoid further drama.

“I’ll always root for Taylor … but we didn’t need to be having lunches anymore. We ruffled a lot of feathers with that,” Austen shared.

Despite this, Austen expressed his admiration for Taylor and noted that they remained cordial at group events.

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Austen on JT’s exit and Craig’s business priorities

Another topic of discussion this season had been the departure of Jarrett “JT” Thomas from Southern Charm. Austen shared his thoughts on the same:

“He had no business, in my opinion, being on our show. He was an outsider from day one.”

Meanwhile, Austen also reflected on Craig’s priorities, noting that he was deeply focused on his business endeavors. He also wished for more balance in Craig’s life, explaining:

“I wish he was able to balance that [business] life with friendships.”

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Southern Charm season 10 airs on Thursday nights on Bravo.