Season 4 of Bravo’s “Southern Hospitality” introduced a new Republic Garden & Lounge VIP host named Justin Assad. Assad came on to the series as a friend of TJ Dinch, and also shared that he had begun a romantic relationship with a bartender named Jordyn, but also admitted to having a crush on Mia Alario.
While Assad is quickly fitting into the group at Republic, he’s since warmed up to a cast member of “Southern Charm,” and is now dating Charley Manley. Here’s what else to discover about Assad, including what the guys on the show really think about him.
1. Justin Assad Is the New VIP Host at Republic Garden & Lounge
Justin Assad didn’t take Joe Bradley’s job per se, but he is another VIP Host for Leva Bonaparte’s Republic Garden & Lounge in Charleston, South Carolina.
During his premiere, the men working at Republic shared their honest thoughts on Assad. “I’m glad there’s a new good-looking guy at Republic, but he can’t have better hair than me,” Bradley said. VIP server Bradley Carter said in a confessional, “I think Justin’s different than your typical Charleston guy. He’s a little dirty, looks like he hadn’t showered in a day or two.”
Republic’s assistant general manager, Michols Peña, admitted he found Assad “attractive,” but added, “You know, I think he would go from a Charleston eight to a 10 if he groomed his hair a little bit.”
2. Assad’s Background
BravoAccording to MassLive.com, Assad comes from a Lebanese-Irish family and grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, alongside his twin sister, older brother, and younger sister. “I spent summers on the Cape, just like every other Massachusetts kid. I’m really just a typical Massachusetts boy-next-door-type person,” he said.
Assad was heavily into sports when he attended Hamilton’s Pingree School, playing football, basketball, lacrosse, and running track. After high school, he attended Assumption University in Worcester, MA, on a sports scholarship, and studied business management and English.
3. Assad Briefly Dated Maren Morris
GettyAssad didn’t shy away from speaking about his romantic history on “Southern Hospitality.” During a confessional, he shared that his last relationship saw him moving to Australia for a woman he was “head over heels” for. However, it ultimately ended because “sometimes you get too freaky, and it ruins the relationship.”
On the show, he admitted to having a “friends with benefits” relationship with a bartender named Jordyn. He also took cast member Molly Moore on a date, and revealed to having a crush on Mia Alario, even taking a body shot off of her.
Interestingly, Assad also had a brief relationship with pop star Maren Morris. People were first to report that the two were dating in August 2024, when Assad shared a photo on a sushi date with Morris on his Instagram Stories. According to Swooon, their relationship didn’t last long, with Assad later moving to Australia.
4. Assad Is Currently Dating ‘Southern Charm’ Star Charley Manley
Bravo“Southern Charm” newcomer Charley Manley confirmed on the season 11 part two reunion (which filmed on Feb. 4) that she was newly dating Assad. After the reunion aired, Manley went Instagram official with Assad, sharing a photo of him kissing her forehead. In the comment section of her post, Assad wrote, “Prettiest girl award 🥇.”
Assad’s “Southern Hospitality” co-stars also seem approving of their romance. During an appearance on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” on March 25, TJ Dinch and Bradley Carter shared that they have already hung out with the couple, with Carter stating, “We’ve spent so much time, we’ve traveled with them. Yeah, they’re solid. I really like this relationship.”
Dinch then added, “They’re good. They’re in love.”
5. Assad Appeared on ‘Perfect Match’ Season 2 Alongside a ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Cast Member
Assad has a reality TV background prior to starring on “Southern Hospitality.” In 2023, he starred in the one-season reality TV survivalist show “Surviving Paradise” on Netflix. The following year, he starred on “Perfect Match” season 2.
Interestingly, the season also starred “Too Hot to Handle” star Harry Jowsey and “Vanderpump Rules” season 12’s Chris Hahn.
Before coming on “Perfect Match,” Assad told MassLive.com that he was really interested in finding love on the show, as most have used these reality TV platforms to further their fame. “I had this crazy growth, and I’m starting to be open and being more affectionate and then ‘Perfect Match’ calls. I’m like, ‘This is a sign. I’m going to find my perfect match, and I’m going to be emotionally there and ready for this moment in time,” he shared.
Assad connected with “Too Hot to Handle” star Elys Hutchinson, but was later eliminated when she matched with Bryton Constantin of “Squid Game: The Challenge.”
