Shep Rose offered an update on his relationship with his former girlfriend, Taylor Ann Green, while attending Bravo Fan Fest 2024 in Miami over the weekend.
As he looked back on their romance and admitted to wanting to reach out, the Southern Charm cast member shared how he’s changed since last year’s reunion, reacted to Jarrett “JT” Thomas‘ exit from the show, and teased what is to come between him and his season 10 flame, Sienna Evans.
“We’re not [talking],” Shep revealed during the “I’ll Tell Ya How I’m Dating, Not Well, B*tch!” panel on Saturday, November 23, per Bravo’s The Daily Dish. “She doesn’t want to contact me. I don’t know why.”
According to Shep, he believes Taylor, 29, might be keeping her distance out of respect for her new relationship with boyfriend Gaston Rojas.
“I understand, I respect that,” Shep admitted. “[But] I would root for her. I will continue to root for her if she needs anything for the rest of her life. I’m there for her and I love her family and I still communicate with her mom. Sometimes we talk and so it’s very, deep roots and I mean, it was the longest relationship I’ve ever had.”
Due to their years-long relationship, Shep said there are times when he’s wanted to speak to her.
“It’s really hard honestly because I wanna text her sometimes and I had a dream that she was in and it was very benign. She had made lettuce wraps and they were really good and we were laughing and eating lettuce wraps and I wanted to call, text her just so stupid, but like I asked somebody and they’re like, ‘Do not do that,'” he shared.
During another interview with E! News, Shep, who admitted to struggling with alcohol last year, revealed that he’s made big changes in the months since.
“I’m just way more aware of myself, of my foibles, of my blindspots. [And] I think it helped that I went and did Ayahuasca in Costa Rica last January,” he explained, citing a wellness retreat. “It was very impactful and interesting and I untangled some webs inside of me.”
Shep was so impacted by his time on the island that he decided to write a book.
“It’s called, ‘Why Must I Always Lick the Jar?’ Like in Winnie the Pooh, with the honey pot on top of his head. That’s my cross to bear, so to speak,” he shared.
As for the biggest thing he learned, Shep revealed, “I don’t need anything and I shouldn’t want anything. Everything I have is within me and to honor that and don’t waste it and don’t put yourself in harm’s way.”
After Luann de Lesseps, 59, revealed she was interested in him on an episode of Watch What Happens Live earlier this month, Shep was asked about the possibility — but he wasn’t sure who the Real Housewives of New York City alum was.
“Is that like a cereal? Count Chocula? I’ll look her up,” he stated.
He was then asked about JT, 39, leaving the show.
“Sorry, JT, I can’t believe it’s all that newsworthy,” Shep laughed. “He’s a nice fella … He held Austen to task last season, and Austen hates that, but we wouldn’t have found out certain things if weren’t for JT, so I’ve got a little bit of thank you to JT. But we lost way bigger players.”
“He just was a little bizarre, you’ll see this season. I don’t think he was right. He needed to sort some things out so far be it from us to clap on the sidelines when you’re going through some sh*t,” he added.
Also at Bravo Fan Fest 2024, via Bravo’s The Daily Dish, Shep opened up about his relationship with Sienna.
“I got pretty cut down, let’s just say,” he admitted. “And it’s all out there for everyone to see.”
Although Shep didn’t share details, he confirmed his romance with Sienna was “long distance” and confessed to saying “I love you” on their second weekend.
“But it was in the heat of passion,” he explained. “Does that still count?”
“Obviously Taylor and I’s relationship ended, and I was convinced that I wouldn’t meet anyone that I felt strongly about for a while. I don’t know why I thought that, I was just like, it’s hard to find — and it is hard to find — but sometimes it can happen right on top of each other after a relationship,” Shep continued. “And I thought that that was this, and I was super optimistic. And we were saying very, very nice things to each other.”
“So, it was interesting,” he added. “Long distance is tough, though.”
As for his ideal girlfriend, Shep said he’s now looking for someone “28 and above.”
Southern Charm season 10 premieres Thursday, December 5, at 9/8c on Bravo.
