Andy Cohen is offering new insight into the status of Craig Conover and Austen Kroll’s complicated friendship as viewers prepare to watch the “Southern Charm” season 11 reunion.
The longtime Bravo host addressed the pair’s dynamic while discussing a recent night out with several cast members. His comments come as the upcoming reunion promises to revisit the tension between the two Charleston stars following a dramatic season.
During the March 9 episode of his SiriusXM radio show “Andy Cohen Live,” Cohen reflected on spending time in New York City with Conover, Kroll, Shep Rose, and musician John Mayer. According to Cohen, the outing offered a glimpse into where the two former best friends currently stand.
Andy Cohen Describes Craig Conover and Austen Kroll’s Current Relationship
Cohen explained that Conover and Kroll appeared able to spend time together despite the tension that played out throughout “Southern Charm” season 11.
“I will say, you really have to watch the reunion, but they are able to be around each other,” Cohen said on “Andy Cohen Live.”
At the same time, the Bravo host acknowledged that their friendship remains complicated.
“But I would say it is a more than fraught relationship. More than fraught,” he added.
Cohen said the group outing itself turned into a memorable evening. The gathering included Mayer, who joined the group after texting Cohen earlier in the day.
Cohen recalled that he and Mayer arrived first at San Vicente West Village before the “Southern Charm” cast members joined them.
“Craig sits down, and he’s like, ‘Oh my god. Austen’s gonna freak out when he comes and he sees you sitting here,’” Cohen said.
Once Rose and Kroll arrived, Cohen said the dynamic between the trio quickly became lively.
“They sit down, and immediately they are wild, the three of them together,” Cohen said. “And they start getting into it about something — and I go, ‘You guys.’ Like, it’s the dining room at San Vicente Bungalow. It’s low-key. It’s fancy. There’s a piano player.”
Cohen added that Mayer soon began asking questions about the Bravo series.
“John’s like, ‘Do you share a house together on the show?’ John’s trying to figure out what it is,” Cohen said.
Conover and Kroll’s Friendship Became a Major ‘Southern Charm’ Season 11 Storyline
The tension between Conover and Kroll played a major role throughout “Southern Charm” season 11.
The former close friends clashed multiple times during the season, including a heated exchange about Kroll’s relationship with then-girlfriend Audrey Pratt.
“You’re the only unhappy person here ’cause you’re living a lie,” Conover told Kroll during episode 3. “You’re stuck in a relationship. You’re not happy … You told me that you were jealous I was single.”
The argument led Kroll to question their friendship.
“It’s been really tough the past few days to come to that realization, where it’s like, wait a minute, like, a real friend wouldn’t be, like, taking pleasure in making you feel like s–t,” Kroll said during episode 5.
The conflict escalated again during Kroll’s birthday dinner in episode 9.
“Austen hates me,” Conover told Rose during the dinner.
Kroll interrupted with a blunt response.
“Yes, I do (expletive) hate you!”
Conover responded by suggesting the friendship might be over.
“So, we don’t need to be friends anymore,” he said.
‘Southern Charm’ Season 11 Reunion Addresses Craig Conover and Austen Kroll Drama
The upcoming reunion will revisit the pair’s fallout.
In a preview clip for part 1 of the reunion, Cohen referenced a comment made earlier in the season by cast member Whitner Slagsvol.
“Austen has a victim complex and Craig is a narcissist,” Slagsvol previously said.
Conover strongly rejected the label during the reunion preview.
“No, narcissists are incapable of having empathy,” he said. “And literally, as an empath, it would be impossible for me to be a narcissist. I do a lot of things wrong, but I’m far from a narcissist.”
When Conover asked Kroll whether he believed he was empathetic, Kroll answered no.
“It’s really mean to say that about someone,” Conover said. “Calling someone a narcissist means they’re incapable of showing empathy. And everything they do is for show. If that’s what you believe about me, then you shouldn’t be friends with me.”
As tensions rise in the preview, Conover eventually walks off the stage.
“It’s very clear that it’s just pile-on Craig,” he says. “I hate being here. I don’t even know if I’m coming back anymore.”
Still, both Conover and Kroll previously hinted that the reunion could offer some resolution.
During a January appearance on the podcast “The Viall Files,” Kroll said he planned to address the conflict directly.
“I have lots of (expletive) I want to say to Craig at the reunion,” Kroll said. “And we’ll say those things, and hopefully can get them out, so I can just move on.”
Conover also suggested that the reunion might focus on resolution rather than conflict.
“It seems like a lot of us were more resolution-driven that day instead of conflict-driven,” he told The Daily Dish in February.
Part 1 of the “Southern Charm” season 11 reunion airs Wednesday, March 18 on Bravo.
