Bravo’s “Southern Hospitality” returned with a brand-new season 4 on March 4, with viewers introduced to newcomer Justin Assad. As the new VIP host for Leva Bonaparte’s Republic Garden & Lounge in Charleston, he has already established himself as a major playboy.
What fans may not know, however, is that Assad’s romantic history includes a major pop star. In 2024, Assad briefly dated Maren Morris, even sharing a photo with her on a sushi date that August.
Justin Assad Reflects on His Brief Romance With Maren Morris
Getty“Southern Hospitality” fans are getting a closer look at season 4 newcomer Justin Assad, including his romantic history, which includes briefly dating “My Church” songstress Maren Morris.
In a new interview with Swooon, the Bravo newbie shared insight into their short-lived romance, which was first reported by People in August 2024, when Assad shared a photo of Morris on what appeared to be a date on Instagram Stories. He captioned the image, “Scary movies + sushi,” and tagged Morris.
“Me and Maren dated for a little bit,” he confirmed. “She’s a wonderful woman, very intelligent, very talented. I think at the time, I was 26, 27 years old, probably took it for granted and was kind of an idiot about it.”
Assad continued to state nothing but good things about their time together. “It was an honor just to get to call her someone that I could hold close. She was great.” It’s unclear when the two ended things.
According to Bravo, during an episode of “Southern Hospitality,” Assad did mention that his last relationship was with a woman in Australia and that it ended on bad terms.
He shared, “My last relationship, you know, I moved to Australia with her and was head over heels for this person. Like, that was the first time in my life I really felt passion, and I felt loved during sex. But then sometimes you get too freaky, and it ruins the relationship.”
Assad’s Reality TV History Includes Starring on ‘Perfect Match’
During Morris and Assad’s brief romance, Assad was known for starring on two reality TV shows. In 2023, he starred on Netflix’s “Surviving Paradise,” a competition series that followed 12 contestants who arrive expecting a luxurious stay in a tropical villa, only to be shocked when they’re sent to the wilderness instead, where they must compete in challenges to win a cash prize.
The following year, Assad was a contestant on Netflix’s “Perfect Match” season 2, where he starred alongside Harry Jowsey and “Vanderpump Rules” season 12 star Chris Hahn.
According to Swooon, Assad formed a romantic connection with “Too Hot to Handle” star Elys Hutchinson, but was eliminated in episode 9 after she decided to match with Bryton Constantin of “Squid Game: The Challenge” instead.
Despite several failed relationships, the Bravo newbie is catching the attention of more than one employee at Republic. He was seen hooking up with bartender Jordyn and took Molly Moore on a date. He also admitted to having a crush on Mia Alario.
There are also new reports that Assad is currently dating “Southern Charm” star Charley Manley. In fact, in a recent interview with Us Weekly, “Southern Hospitality” star Joe Bradley teased, “I’ve heard whispers. The world will find out the truth. But I’m not sure. So who knows?”
