"You affected my work" — Southern Charm star Craig details why he distanced himself from Shep after blackout drama

Southern Charm season 10 premiered on Thursday, December 5, 2024. In the latest segment, Shep sat with Craig and Austen to discuss their fractured friendship. When he detailed how hurt he felt by the duo's decision to distance themselves from him after the BravoCon blackout incident in November 2023, Craig defended himself, saying he had his reasons.

In 2023, when Shep was dealing with a drinking problem, he appeared at the BravoCon event completely intoxicated. Craig and Austen noticed his demeanor and were displeased by his actions. Consequently, they distanced themselves from him. However, it did not sit well with Shep, who valued his friendship with them.

In the season premiere, Shep questioned Craig's cold behavior, saying they had known each other for 10 years. Craig replied:

"But you affected my work. You sucked me in."

The Southern Charm star explained that he would "never shut the door" on Shep had he not got drunk during BravoCon. Craig stated that he was a business owner and could not associate himself with Shep or his "unhealthy" behavior. Shep was unconvinced by Craig's explanation, saying he should not "play the victim" because of someone else's actions.

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Southern Charm star Shep reveals he went to Costa Rica to self-reflect after what happened in Las Vegas

In Thursday's episode of Southern Charm, 44-year-old Shep revealed that his friends, Austen and Craig, had ghosted him after he got drunk at the BravoCon event. It led to him recognizing his shortcomings and taking action to rework himself.

Consequently, Shep traveled to Costa Rica "for a psychedelic retreat" and worked on self-realization and examination. He confessed it was a "very powerful" experience that made him understand things.

While recalling the BravoCon incident and its aftermath, Shep noted that he felt abandoned by Austen and Craig and wanted to reconcile their distorted friendship. When Craig and Austen visited Shep at his parent's farm in Boykin, South Carolina, Shep said:

"After Vegas, I was like, 'I think I'm a little out of control and I don't know what's going on internally.' And if anybody can give help, guidance, support, or harsh correction, it's us, right? And you guys didn't do any of that. And that hurt more than you'll ever know."

Craig acknowledged his feelings, calling them "fair," but at the same time, criticized him for putting himself in a precarious position at BravoCon. Austen expressed a similar sentiment and mentioned that he started reevaluating his bond with Shep after he "doubled down in Charleston."

Shep defended himself by saying that it was that time when he was alone and no one would talk to him. The Southern Charm star then reminded Austen that they used to speak two to three times a day before BravoCon, and Craig that they had known each other for 10 years.

However, Craig refused to reason with him and revealed that Shep's association affected his work. Shep listened in disbelief, recalling the "litany of things" Craig had pulled over the years when he used to drink. The Southern Charm star further told the cameras:

"For Craig to play the victim because of my actions, doesn't really hit home for me."

Meanwhile, Austen explained that he drew a boundary after the BravoCon incident because he was unsure about Shep's willingness to rework himself. Hearing that, Shep called himself a "pariah," questioning Austen's perspective on relationships.

Craig chimed in on their conversation and said that they expected Shep to take action. However, when Craig mentioned that he was not a "masochistic" individual who would always be around, Shep noted that he was never around in the first place. He added that he was not a "charity case" but hoped Craig shared some of his sobriety journey with him.

Craig revealed that he stopped drinking a few years ago and it "changed everything." He was "happier" and "healthier" and his relationship with Paige, his girlfriend, was much better. Consequently, Craig advised Shep that sometimes it helped to distance oneself from people and self-reflect.

When Shep noted that a lunch or a even sit-down with them could have helped him, Austen and Craig agreed. They acknowledged that they should have talked it out instead of "ghosting" him.

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Southern Charm airs every Thursday at 9 pm ET only on Bravo.