Salley Carson and Craig Conover are growing closer during Southern Charm Season 11, and Salley revealed that Craig was the inspiration behind a big decision in her life.
“I was talking to Craig in the hot tub, about life, and the kind of life we want, and farms and stuff, and I was like, ‘I’ve always wanted chickens,’” Salley shared in Episode 5. “He’s like, ‘You should do it!’ And I was like, ‘I’m going to get f—king chickens!’”
Salley shared the news with her friend Charley Manley as the two cracked eggs while making Salley’s grandma’s coffee cake recipe. “Well, soon, we’re going to be able to go back there,” Salley said as she gestured to her backyard, “And get the eggs… Me and Craig are going to pick out chickens.”
Charley told producers she was baffled by Salley’s admission. “Walgreens is right across from her house,” she pointed out in the Dec. 17 episode. “She can go get eggs. I don’t know why she needs chickens.”
Salley Carson’s relationship with Craig Conover causes tension with Charley Manley
A possible romance between Salley and Craig has been budding all season, but complicating matters is Craig’s interest in Charley. It all came to a head in an argument between the ladies after a day at the beach.
“I do feel like I’m walking on eggshells a little bit with Salley,” Charley confessed in the Dec. 17 episode. “Just, because of Craig. I mean, it’s the only thing that Salley and I have ever fought about.” She added, “But, I can tell that there’s something between Craig and I.”
However, Salley doubled down on her interest in Craig while baking with Charley. “I mean, I do think he’s attractive. And I like his personality,” Salley said. “And, you know, if he made a move, would I be into it? Yeah.”
RELATED: Charley Manley Reveals Her Red Flag About Craig Conover: “I’m Not Gonna Sugarcoat It…”
Elsewhere in the season, Charley shared, “I really like Craig. But I feel like I might have my guard up a little bit, because I’ve had a tendency to put the needs and feelings of my friends above mine… But, as I get older, I definitely worry that I’m not thinking about myself enough. But, I’m learning.”
Charley didn’t know, however, just how close Salley and Craig had recently become, until Craig and Salley dropped a hint while in the hot tub at the end of his party.
“God, we’ve had so many nights out here,” Craig said to Salley and Winter House alum Kory Keefer. “Rainstorms—the rainstorm was my favorite.”
Salley chimed in, “mine too,” and then emphasized, “alllll night.”
Putting the pieces together, Kory asked, “Oh, you all stayed the night here?” Craig answered, “What happens in the hot tub stays in the hot tub.”
Venita Aspen confronts Salley Carson over her relationship with Craig Conover
Salley’s pursuit of Craig was also a problem for her friend Venita Aspen, who isn’t getting along with the pillow maker.
“I feel like I’ve been a damn good friend to you,” Salley told Venita during the Dec. 17 episode, when the subject came up.
“But you make it very hard being on your side when you’re on the side of someone I don’t like,” Venita responded.
During the Season 11 premiere, Venita shared with producers a “blow-by-blow” of exactly why she and Craig had beef, and it came down to Craig believing that Venita sided with his ex, Summer House alum Paige DeSorbo, after they broke up in late 2024. During his March 27 appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Craig definitively announced that he was “not friends” with Venita anymore, and “won’t be associated with her.”
Venita agreed in the Nov. 19 episode that she did, in fact, take Paige’s side. “I consciously made my decision to text Paige over Craig, because who do I have a stronger relationship with? Paige, not Craig. Sorry,” she said.
RELATED: Salley Carson Details Her Fling With Steven McBee Jr.: “It Was, Like, A Second”
Although Venita urged Salley away from Craig, Salley was unwilling. “I hear you, and look, I love you, but look, I don’t want to stop hanging out with Craig,” Salley told her in the Dec. 17 episode.
“I don’t have anything else to say,” Venita replied while walking away.
Salley defended her decision to producers: “My friendship with Craig has nothing to do with Venita. Like, just let me live. Let me live!”
Does Salley want to hook up with Austen? Read more about her shocking statement about her romantic interest in him.
