Craig Conover’s season 11 journey on “Southern Charm” appears to have carried some tension beyond the cameras. According to new cast member Whitner Slagsvol, Conover stopped communicating with him following the season 11 reunion.
Slagsvol joined the Bravo series this season as a longtime friend of Shep Rose and a former law school classmate of Conover. While the new cast member quickly formed relationships with several stars on the show, he said his dynamic with Conover became strained after the reunion episode.
In an interview with Parade, Slagsvol explained that Conover became upset over comments he made during the reunion and on “Watch What Happens Live.” Despite the tension, Slagsvol said he hopes the friendship will recover.
Whitner Slagsvol Discusses Craig Conover Reunion Fallout
Slagsvol said Conover has been upset with him following the season 11 reunion.
“He is mad at me from the reunion, and he’s also mad about the personal injury comment from Watch What Happens,” Slagsvol told Parade.
The comment referenced Conover’s early legal career. Slagsvol explained that he had worked at the same personal injury firm where Conover once practiced law.
“My first job in the legal world was for Craig at a personal injury firm. Some of my best friends are personal injury attorneys,” Slagsvol said.
He added that his remarks were not meant to offend.
“I say it with a good heart, but yeah, there were some other things discussed at the reunion that I was sort of the driving commentary on,” he said. “Stuff that I talked about in some green screens, so you might be able to guess what… but he’s upset with me.”
Slagsvol said he attempted to smooth things over by contacting Conover directly.
“I reached out to him, and he said, ‘Give me some time.’ It’s a tough job we do,” Slagsvol explained. “And so like I was like, ‘I appreciate it, man, like, I’m sorry, and I’d be happy to talk to you about it.’”
While he acknowledged that Conover remains frustrated, Slagsvol believes the situation will eventually pass.
“I’m sure he’s still upset, and I’m sure we’ll get over it,” he said.
‘Southern Charm’ Season 11 Drama and Conover’s Big Breakup
Slagsvol admitted he intentionally stirred some tension during the reunion discussion.
“I stirred some s— very deliberately, which, I was sort of intending to do,” he said. “I was there to hold poor behavior accountable.”
He added that he may have enjoyed pushing the conversation further than intended.
“I may have like enjoyed stirring the s— a little bit too much,” he said.
Still, Slagsvol credited Conover for addressing criticism during the reunion.
“Craig was in the hot seat for a lot of it, obviously, but I mean, to the man’s credit, and I told him after, he really took his licks,” Slagsvol said.
“He really held himself accountable and admitted that he needed to like, really consider some behavior.”
According to Slagsvol, much of Conover’s difficult season stemmed from his breakup with “Summer House” star Paige DeSorbo.
The couple had become one of Bravo’s most high-profile relationships. Slagsvol said he sympathized with how challenging breakups can be, particularly when they unfold on television.
“Whenever I have come to the topic of Craig’s breakup… I am very protective of him,” Slagsvol explained.
He added that dealing with a breakup in front of cameras can intensify emotions.
“Had someone had cameras on me during that time, it would have been probably good TV,” he said.
Slagsvol also acknowledged that reactions to breakup commentary can be strong.
“I wish you hadn’t said something provocative—not that you’re wrong or anything—but I would have reacted equally as angry in those circumstances,” he said. “The man has been healing.”
Who Is ‘Southern Charm’ Newcomer Whitner Slagsvol?
Slagsvol made his debut on season 11 of “Southern Charm” after joining Rose and Austen Kroll for a surfing outing early in the season.
According to his BravoTV.com biography, Slagsvol is a lawyer and longtime friend of Rose. He also attended law school with Conover.
“I’ve known Whitner for probably 10 years. We’re both fond of outdoor activities. His family’s from Columbia; my dad’s family’s right down the road in Camden. … So, we have lots in common,” Rose said early on in season 11.
“We have some big-ish names,” Slagsvol teased. “Shep will tell you about all of his — whether or not you’re listening.” (Whitner is also the nephew of Jimmy Buffett’s widow, Jane Slagsvol.)
Slagsvol later joked about the differences between himself and some of his castmates.
“I don’t have a trust fund,” Slagsvol said.
Slagsvol attended the College of Charleston, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in film in 2012. He later graduated from the Charleston School of Law in 2015.
In 2017, he founded Slagsvol Law Firm, which focuses on corporate, entertainment law, and civil litigation.
Craig Conover and Whitner Slagsvol’s History Before ‘Southern Charm’
Conover and Slagsvol knew each other before appearing on “Southern Charm.”
Both attended the Charleston School of Law, although Conover graduated earlier.
“We took the bar exam together,” Slagsvol said on the show. “He was two years ahead of me. I passed it first.”
Conover later explained that the two did not spend much time together during school.
“Whit and I went to the same law school,” Conover said on the show. “I think he was two years behind me, so we didn’t really hang out a lot.”
However, Conover said he knew Slagsvol’s sister, Sarah, from their time in Charleston.
Despite their complicated reunion moment, Slagsvol made it clear he continues to support his former classmate.
“I’m sorry, Craig,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll get over it.”
Part one of the “Southern Charm” reunion airs Wednesday, March 18, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.
The addition of Whit and Venita added nothing to the show except unneeded drama. Neither one should return for another season.
Agree!