Southern Charm‘s Madison LeCroy found the cracks in Austen Kroll and Audrey Pratt’s relationship harder than ever to ignore, prior to their eventual breakup.
In fact, perhaps no one was more surprised than Madison when Austen brought Audrey as his date to Rodrigo Reyes and Tyler Dugas’ engagement party during Season 11, Episode 8.
“I’m honestly shocked to see Audrey,” Madison declared to a producer. “I think that Austen’s making her believe that everything is perfect. But it’s just unfortunate that all of us behind the scenes know this is not gonna last.”
RELATED: Madison LeCroy Shares Her Blunt Take on Austen Kroll and Audrey’s Relationship
After all, about a month had passed, at that point, since Austen admitted to Madison that he had serious doubts about his and Audrey’s future.
On the Southern Charm After Show, Madison had an even more blunt take on her ex’s failing relationship.
“They gross me out,” she said, while sitting next to Craig Conover. “Austen is my friend. I hear him venting. Craig hears it as well. Poor thing. He’s just blowing smoke.”
Craig agreed, adding, “Once you know that someone’s not into another person, and when you see them together, it feels, like, icky.”
Austen Kroll defended bringing Audrey to Rodrigo’s party amid his relationship doubts
Separately on the After Show, Austen fired back at those who criticized him for bringing Audrey to a group event, while simultaneously sharing in private that their days as a couple were likely numbered.
“I’m in a relationship; I’m not gonna hide it,” he reasoned. “She loves Rod and Tyler. Like, this makes sense for her to be here.”
Drama was also still swirling, in the aftermath of Craig revealing that Shep Rose had received “unsubstantiated” intel that Austen was allegedly cheating on Audrey. That also did not impact Austen’s decision to bring her around his castmates either, however.
RELATED:Â Did Austen Kroll Cheat on Audrey Pratt? See What He Said to a Producer
“Audrey and I have, like, just as much, you know, right and reason to be here, you know, than almost anybody,” Austen continued. “So, it definitely was like we don’t have to, like, explain ourselves to anybody.”
Though Austen had conceded to his sister, Katie — just one day before Rodrigo and Tyler’s backyard engagement bash — that “a very tough conversation” was in his and Audrey’s “imminent future,” he further insisted that their looming talk paled in comparison to situations he’d encountered in the past.
“I have been way more nervous to go to other parties, you know, with someone who might have something on their mind that they want to say,” Austen concluded on the After Show. “But kind of come to find out, like, [Audrey] had things to say.  And she had things to say to Shep.”
Inside Austen Kroll and Audrey Pratt’s drama on Southern Charm
Despite some awkward moments, Austen and Audrey made it through Rod and Tyler’s celebration on Southern Charm‘s Jan. 21 episode without any major incidents. Things took a turn, however, when most of the group kept the party going at a local bar on South Carolina’s Isle of Palms.
Earlier in the season, Madison had revealed to Audrey that Salley Carson had “the hots for” Austen. So, Audrey pointed out to Austen at the after party how she found it “weird” that Salley kept walking by them and was “the only one that didn’t say hi” to her.
Austen agreed with her assessment, but moments later, he was hugging Salley at the bar. During their conversation, Salley claimed, “Your girlfriend hates me,” to which Austen responded, “No, no, that’s not true. I’m drunk, so I’m gonna stop talking.”
Eventually, Austen rejoined Audrey, who was sitting alone, at that point. Immediately, she cryptically told him, “We need to talk.”
Though viewers did not hear any more audio from the couple’s episode-ending conversation after those four dreaded words, their body language suggested that the chat was tense, to say the least.
As you wait to see how the drama plays out, find out how Madison played a role in Austen and Audrey’s split.
