Who Is Justin Assad? Meet the “New Good-Looking Guy at Republic”

Republic’s new VIP host Justin Assad is already shaking things up on Southern Hospitality.

Upon making his debut in the Season 4 premiere, Justin introduced himself as TJ Dinch’s friend who has lived all over the world.

“I have a bit of history with Charleston,” Justin explained in a confessional. “I used to live down in Charleston in 2019. And I did my time in Boston, L.A., and Syndey, Australia. And ultimately, I was at a crossroads in my life.”

The reason? “I was in a relationship,” he elaborated. “The relationship went south, so I said f–k it. I’ll go south too. And I got in contact with an old friend, TJ, told him I was moving back to the city, got some abs, a new haircut, and here I am.”

RELATED: Meet the Southern Hospitality Season 4 Cast, Including 2 Newcomers (Official Bios and Photos)

Naturally, the guys of Republic wasted no time in sizing up their new co-worker — and his “new haircut,” in particular.

“I’m glad there’s a new good-looking guy at Republic, but he can’t have better hair than me,” Joe Bradley remarked in a confessional, while Bradley Carter added, “I think Justin’s different than your typical Charleston guy. He’s a little dirty, looks like he hadn’t showered in a day or two.” 

As Michols Peña chimed in, “I think Justin’s attractive. You know, I think he would go from a Charleston eight to a 10 if he groomed his hair a little bit.”

As he settles in with the group, read on to learn more about Justin’s life and relationships.

Details on Justin Assad’s background

Justin is originally from Boston and grew up in a close-knit Lebanese-Irish family that includes his twin sister and two other siblings, according to MassLive.com.

In high school, Justin played football, basketball, lacrosse, and ran track. After earning a football scholarship, he went on to attend Assumption University, where he studied business management and English.

Outside of Republic, Justin works as a social media content creator and has aspirations of becoming an actor.

Inside Justin Assad’s relationship and dating history

Justin previously appeared on a dating show (alongside Vanderpump Rules‘ Chris Hahn) in 2024, before relocating to Australia with the girlfriend he discussed on Southern Hospitality.

“I’m trying to squeeze the happiness out of life right now,” Justin shared in an Episode 2 confessional. “My last relationship, you know, I moved to Australia with her and was head over heels for this person. Like, that was the first time in my life I really felt passion, and I felt loved during sex. But then sometimes you get too freaky, and it ruins the relationship.”

When a producer asked what happened, Justin referenced “a little threesome gone wrong.”

RELATED: When Is Southern Hospitality On? Everything To Know About the Drama-Filled Season 4

The second episode revealed that Justin has been romancing Republic bartender Jordyn, whom the show credited as his “friend with benefits.”

Meanwhile, Justin also took Molly Moore, aka Jordyn’s new roommate, on a date, while also admitting that he “had a crush on” Mia Alario. What’s more, he copped to making out with both TJ and Michols in front of Jordyn.

“I’ve exclusively dated women, but I think I’m 30 percent gay, depending on how many tequila sodas I have in me,” Justin told a producer. “I remember watching Twilight back in the day, looking at Robert Pattinson and thinking that’s a guy I could get behind. Shoutout, tops. So, who knows? But no one’s 100 percent straight.”

What to expect from Justin Assad on Southern Hospitality Season 4

Justin’s bio for Season 4 teased, “After years abroad, the winds have brought new VIP Host Justin Assad back to Charleston. A friend of TJ, he quickly impresses Leva [Bonaparte] and the ladies in town. Yet after dropping one too many love bombs, Justin finds himself entangled in love triangles and is reminded how small Charleston really is.”

The Southern Hospitality trailer further previewed Justin lamenting, “Everyone’s saying that I’m a f–k boy,” before a clip rolled showing him taking a body shot off of Mia. “From one player to another, I recognize game,” Mia said in a confessional.

He also appears to be coming for Joe’s crown. After Leva told Joe that he had “been replaced,” another scene showed Lake Rucker asking, “Is it Justin Bottles now, instead of Joey Bottles?”

Justin’s response: “Might have to be, baby.”

As Justin begins racking up big sales at Republic, don’t miss what’s ahead for the rest of the Southern Hospitality cast on Season 4.