In hindsight, Southern Charm‘s Craig Conover discovered a very specific warning sign that could have alerted him that his three most recent relationships were headed for breakups.
The revelation arrived during Season 11, Episode 3, when Austen Kroll called him with the news that he was adopting two kittens.
“Austen, that’s the kiss of death!” Craig immediately replied. “My last three ex-girlfriends have gotten a cat right before breaking up with me.”
A montage reminded viewers that Craig’s exes Naomie Olindo, Natalie Hegnauer, and Paige DeSorbo had, indeed, all adopted cats prior to their respective splits.
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“I was like, ‘Oh, cool, we’re one happy family,'” Craig added. “And they’re like, ‘Actually, this is a family of two.'”
Perhaps validating Craig’s argument, Austen admitted that becoming a cat dad was something he was doing solo, rather than including then-girlfriend Audrey Pratt. As viewers now know, of course, Austen and Audrey broke up sometime after that conversation.
Regardless, Craig told Austen that he “definitely” had “some tips to share” on raising fur babies, as more flashback scenes showed him dutifully caring for his and Naomie’s cat, Gizmo.
Craig Conover revealed he was “ready” to date again, post-split
Elsewhere in the episode, Craig opened up about dating after his and Paige’s late 2024 breakup.
“I love being a boyfriend, and I love sharing life with someone, but I mean, six months later, I am ready for a stranger in my bed,” he declared in a confessional. “I feel like when I have a connection with someone, I don’t really waste time. But I have an inherent fear or rejection that probably developed when I got friend-zoned in high school. So, like, any cockiness I have is fake.”
RELATED: Craig Conover Opens Up About Paige DeSorbo Split in Shocking New Update: “I Was Betrayed”
Craig went on to further detail his longstanding approach to dating and relationships.
“I definitely play a long game,” the Sewing Down South co-founder explained. “The only way that I’ve ever had a long-term girlfriend is, foundationally, we have been friends first. And then, after a while, [we] just start smiling at each other so much that, like, all of a sudden, you’re like, ‘Oh, I kind of want to kiss this person.'”
Inside Craig Conover and Austen Kroll’s dating discussion
In Southern Charm‘s Dec. 3 episode, Craig eventually accompanied Austen to shop for cat supplies, and afterward, the two sat down for a catch-up session.
“Well, now it’s after my breakup, and I will say that I tried, like, the lover version of myself, and now I’m back to the party version of myself,” Craig explained, before referencing how he’d been playing the field with both Charley Manley and Salley Carson. “I’m having fun, like, being able to kiss someone if I wanted, guilt-free.”
When Austen asked if he would have chosen to kiss Charley or Salley, Craig said that he had “chemistry” with both women. That led Austen to admit that he had “a little bit of FOMO” and did “miss being single.”
In a confessional, Craig remarked, “I would do anything not to be single right now. Like, I did not want to be single, but someone made that decision for me. So, Austen in this half-in-half-out, it’s bulls–t.”
As he told Austen directly, “I’m having fun being a flirt. But, like, I was really good in a relationship. I loved it. Everything in life is give and take and sacrifices and stuff, and when it’s the right person, and if you’re her person, then it doesn’t matter. And it works out, if you’re willing to put the work in.”
As he continues to enjoy the single life on Southern Charm, don’t miss the major statement Craig recently made about his romances.
