As Austen Kroll processed the latest drama between him and Craig Conover, the Southern Charm-er expressed some major doubts about their friendship’s authenticity.
During Season 11, Episode 5, Venita Aspen FaceTimed Austen to see how he was doing after Craig brought up unsubstantiated allegations that he cheated on then-girlfriend Audrey Pratt, among other negative claims about their relationship, at Whitner Slagsvol’s literary-themed birthday dinner.
“I mean, I just haven’t processed fully how Craig just flipped on me,” Austen responded, before revealing that he had finally spoken to Shep Rose, who repeated the cheating rumor to Craig, before taking off to visit Audrey in Charlotte, NC.
RELATED:Â Shep Rose Reveals the “Stupid” Rumor That Craig Conover Says Will “Ruin” Austen Kroll’s Life
After hearing details of their chat (more on that below), Venita pointed out the contrast between Shep and Craig’s handling of the heated argument and its aftermath. When Venita declared that Craig is “not a friend” to him, Austen agreed.
“It’s been really tough the past few days to come to that realization, where it’s like, wait a minute, like, a real friend wouldn’t be, like, taking pleasure in making you feel like s–t,” he said.
Inside Austen Kroll’s conversation with Shep Rose about the Craig Conover drama
As Austen told Venita, he had reached out Shep “after days of not speaking to him,” and a flashback to a day earlier gave viewers more insight into their conversation.
“I just wanted to call ya, because I’ve just been, like, you know, doing lots of thinking,” Austen told Shep on speakerphone. “Why did my two friends, like, feel the need to just, like, attack me so f–king callously? And it just, like, smacked me in the face. I was just questioning f–king everything. I was like, ‘Are these dudes even still my friends?’ That’s why I’m just, like, f–king hurt by it all.”
Shep’s response? “I know. I’m just sick over this thing. Like, you’re my brother, you know, and I just feel like I played a small part in it, but I played a part in it, nonetheless. I’m so sorry, man. I know you’ve had a terrible week, and I’m hurt that I hurt you.”
RELATED:Â Did Austen Kroll Cheat on Audrey Pratt? See What He Said to a Producer
Austen, meanwhile, reflected on their one-on-one in a confessional.
“I knew that Shep would be very upset by me choosing to ignore him,” he remarked. “But, like, I think my friends view me as, like, a target that is gonna forgive. And they’re like, ‘Oh, he’s just gonna get over it, and we’re just gonna be good and dandy.’ And it’s like how many times can that happen? … Like, who the f–k am I choosing to spend my time with?”
Later on Southern Charm‘s Dec. 17 episode, another snippet from their phone call rolled, showing Austen also telling Shep, “Craig is the guy that keeps things in his back pocket and waits for you to piss him off. And then he’s like, ‘Oh, yeah? Well, I know this, this, this, and that about you.’ And then it’s like, whoa, man, that’s not a friend. That’s not a friend at all.”
Craig Conover shared his side of the Austen Kroll feud
When Shep arrived at Craig’s Memorial Day pool party, he debriefed him on the phone call with Austen, sharing that their friend “sounded like he’d had a really rough few days.”
Craig, meanwhile, said he wished he didn’t “freak out” on Austen, and offered to apologize to him again.
“But, like, in my opinion, he’s jealous that he can’t come get in the hot tub and party with the girls,” Craig continued, referencing his potential romances with Salley Carson and Charley Manley. “I’m like, dude, you’re dating a girl that you said you don’t see you guys getting married, so, like, obviously, I’m not gonna be very patient with that.”
After Shep informed him that Austen was skipping his backyard bash, Craig lashed out even more.
“He knows he started our fight, and I just f–kin’ hit him back with all the s–t that he’s been telling me for months,” Craig vented. “It takes so much f–kin’ energy, dude. We can’t change the f–kin’ past. So, like, what do we do? … He’s a grown f–kin’ adult.”Â
As they continue to clash on Southern Charm, get even more details on what sparked Austen and Craig’s most recent beef.
