A potential love match unfolded on Bravo’s “Southern Charm” between newly single Craig Conover and season newcomer Charley Manely. But with Manley’s best friend, Salley Carson, having had feelings for Conover, things quickly got complicated.
On the Feb. 11 episode, a canoe ride with Conover and Manley gave off literal “The Notebook” vibes. But during the “Southern Charm After Show,” Conover opened up about their date, and why it ultimately “sucked.”
Craig Conover Reflects on His Canoe Date With Charley Manley
GettyOn the Feb. 11 episode of “Southern Charm” season 11, the cast is still at Whit Slagsvol’s family estate, where Craig Conover and Charley Manley’s relationship appears to be heating up as they go on a canoe date. While fans watched their connection grow, Conover later shared more about the lake outing on the “After Show,” and why it wasn’t quite what it seemed.
“I would’ve never wanted to go on these, like, kayak or canoe rides if I wasn’t like OK, let’s just be us,” Craig told Madison LeCroy. “And instead, she was so guarded that you’re just like, alright, like, what are we doing here? … You could hear, like, a pebble drop.”
Though Conover shared that there were awkward silences between the two, it didn’t reflect on how Manley really is, according to the Sewing Down South owner. “When we FaceTime, you’re just laughing. It sucks because she, like, quieted herself to make other people comfortable.”
When Manley reflected on their lake outing, she called it “fun,” but she also emphasized that she was upset Conover brought up Salley Carson again.
“I didn’t want, like, our date to be focused on that,” she shared with Venita Aspen. “How about we, like, don’t talk about Salley on this date, you know? … I keep saying I want to make this opinion on my own, I want to find out for myself. Alright, let’s just, like, get to know each other.”
For Manley, it’s been difficult staying true to being a “girls girl” after Carson had expressed interest in Conover (although he later friend-zoned her) and exploring whether there’s a spark with Conover.
Are Conover & Manley Dating Today?
There’s still much to see between Conover and Manley on the new season and how their relationship unfolds, but the two are not together currently.
In an interview with Decider in late January, Manley shared, “We’re in a good place. Yeah, we’re in a good place. You’ll see. At the end of the day, we really were friends before we went on a date or two. But yeah, I think we’re in a good place.”
Despite the drama and love triangle Manley has found herself in, she and Carson remain good friends today. In December 2025, Manley shared a video on Instagram where she and Carson were guest bartenders at Conover and Austen Kroll’s Nashville hot spot, By the Way.
Proving that their friendship is solid, the two women celebrated each other’s birthdays together. In January, Carson shared Instagram photos partying with Manley and their “Southern Charm” co-stars, and the following month, Carson was present to celebrate Manley’s big day.
