Shep Rose is opening up about the growing tension between Craig Conover and Austen Kroll during season 11 of “Southern Charm.”
While making an appearance on NBC4 New York on February 2, the Bravo mainstay reflected on the fractured friendship, shared his thoughts on what’s really driving the conflict, and explained why he still believes the longtime friends can eventually repair their relationship.
‘Southern Charm’ Season 11 Highlights Craig Conover and Austen Kroll’s Rift
In the interview, Rose confirmed he remains hopeful about reconciliation.
“I do [think they’ll eventually bury the hatchet],” Rose said. He encouraged both men to remember the positive moments they’ve shared over the years.
“It’s a net positive. Trust me,” he explained. “[But] unfortunately, they just don’t see eye to eye, and it’s funny because they both kind of say the same things about each other in certain instances.”
Rose added that their issues feel deeper than surface-level disagreements.
“So I think it can be repaired, but you gotta be contrite in this world and apologetic, even maybe if you’re not sure what you did,” he continued. “It’s real, and I take pride in that in ‘Southern Charm.’ We are not acting. This is some deep-seated stuff, and I think things have come to a head.”
Shep Rose Explains What’s Really Behind Craig and Austen’s Fallout
According to Rose, a major source of friction may stem from shifting dynamics between the two.
“I think for a long time, Austen was in the sidecar of Craig driving the motorcycle,” Rose said. “And I think Austen’s had enough of that. But he jumped in the sidecar for many years, happily. Maybe he needs his own motorcycle.”
That tension came to a head during a birthday dinner for Kroll on the most recent episode of “Southern Charm,” where long-simmering frustrations finally surfaced.
What started as a friendly gathering of Rose, Conover, Kroll, and Whitney Sudler-Smith quickly turned emotional as the men confronted unresolved issues.
Kroll challenged Conover about his drinking, suggesting he used it to avoid accountability, while Conover fired back by criticizing Kroll’s stalled business progress. At one point, Kroll admits, “Yes, I do (expletive) hate you,” letting fans see one of the most anticipated moments from the season 11 trailer.
Rose attempts to de-escalate the situation, urging both men to pause and reflect.
Shep Rose Says Healing Is Still Possible Despite the Blowup
Even after the heated exchange, Rose remains optimistic.
He said he hopes the season ultimately offers both Conover and Kroll a chance to grow.
“There’s stuff that people are gonna have opinions on or things to say,” Rose shared. “But I hope it’s an opportunity for Craig to heal and Austen to heal; maybe learn a little bit, and grow.”
Rose emphasized that while emotions are running high, the history between the two matters.
“It’s good to have your friends together,” Kroll says during the dinner, before tensions resurface once again. By the end of the night, dessert is skipped, and the friendship appears fractured — at least for now.
New episodes of “Southern Charm” air Wednesdays at 9/8c on Bravo and stream the next day on Peacock.
