Craig Conover Is Southern Charm’s Unintended Villain Again in Season 11 — And Fans Can’t Get Enough

Craig Conover has come a long way from the sloppy law school denials and lack of fulfilled pillow orders that defined his early Southern Charm days. But don’t let the matching sets and sewing success fool you. He’s still as messy as ever. And in Season 11, it looks like Craig might be stepping into the franchise’s most chaotic role yet: unintentional villain. Naturally, Craig is already dropping breadcrumbs about a few fights and brewing drama with his castmates. Craig is once again in the middle of the storm. The only difference now? He’s pretending he’s above it all. Let’s break down the receipts.

Kristin Cavallari and Craig Conover’s hookup was exposed

During a recent episode of Honestly Cavallari: The Headline Tour, Kristin Cavallari opened up about her hookup with Craig which she labled as “overlap.” In June Kristin finally admitted that at one pont the two reality stars had a fling. The hookup—long speculated, occasionally denied—was exposed and it’s not sitting well with everyone. Kristin noted, “I’ve always assumed there was a little overlap between Paige and I with Craig. I’m not really expecting Craig to be like, ‘Yeah, you’re absolutely right. I did lie to you and I lied to Paige.’ I just think it’s kind of fun to give him a hard time about it.” 

While Craig tried to downplay the connection which seems to be a pattern, Kristin came across open and honest. Craig’s history of blurring the lines between dating and just hanging out has been a consistent theme on Southern Charm. The problem this time? Kristin isn’t just any fling. She’s a reality TV icon with her own loyal fan base. And when you add her name into the Bravo bubble, drama follows. The Sewing Down South founder’s story is giving classic Craig confusion. The more he talks about it, the more it feels like he’s trying to control a story that’s already spiraling.

Craig hinted at fights with Southern Charm co-star Austen Kroll

If you thought the Craig and Austen Kroll bromance was unbreakable, Season 10 changed your mind. And it seems the duo still might be on shaky ground. In a recent interview with Interview Magazine  Craig teased major tension with Austen and if the rumors are true, it’s more than just a disagreement over bar tabs. These two have always had a weirdly codependent friendship, equal parts frat brother and therapy session. But that closeness seems to be cracking.

Craig shared, “Season 11’s a monster season. Everyone’s going to be really excited. I haven’t felt like this in a couple years. You get to see a lot of new chapters in people’s lives and some fresh faces. Southern Charm fans will be really happy. Austen and I are opening a wedding venue in Charleston, even though we can’t stop fighting with each other all the time.” Now he could be joking, but word on the street is that Austen felt blindsided by some of Craig’s choices and that simmering resentment finally exploded on camera. But with Craig, it’s the kind of self-righteous energy that turns a fan favorite into a villain real fast.

Is Craig dating while filming Southern Charm?

Short answer: no. Longer answer: it’s complicated. While Craig had been linked to Paige DeSorbo from Summer House for the last three years, Season 11 reportedly captures the end of their relationship. Paige has already hinted that her ex liked flirting. And it’s left fans wondering if Craig may have been exploring his options during filming, which wouldn’t be shocking considering his track record. But it’s the way he handles it with deflection and half-truths that’s making him look shady.

Bravo fans love a flawed man in a redemption arc. What they don’t love? Someone trying to have it both ways—committed when convenient, single when it suits his narrative. If Craig’s dating life is as murky as it sounds this season, it might make viewers start asking the hard questions. Craig might not see himself as the villain this season, but that’s exactly what makes him one. He’s no longer the hot mess we were rooting for back in Season 3. He’s a businessman now, with a brand, an ex-girlfriend, and a platform. And with that comes accountability. He’s not just the guy with the sewing machine anymore. He’s the guy who’s trying to control the storyline while pretending he’s above it.