Bravo Star Shep Rose Finally Commits…But Not In the Way You Think

“Southern Charm” star Shep Rose may be known for his fear of commitment, but his latest partnership is changing that narrative, one pinky at a time.

In partnership with UScellular, Rose has become the official face of the Pinky Promise Ring campaign — a nationwide initiative designed to reduce screen time and encourage genuine offline connection.

Shep Rose Makes a Promise to Disconnect & Reconnect

The Bravo star spoke exclusively with Entertainment Now about why he felt compelled to get involved with the campaign. “As soon as I heard about it, I was drawn to it,” Rose said. “We all should be more present. I’ve been into this sort of wellness journey that I’m trying to be on, and this is part and parcel of that for sure.”

The wearable ring features subtle interior ridges that make holding a phone for long periods slightly uncomfortable — a clever nudge to break scrolling habits and raise awareness about the growing “smartphone pinky” phenomenon.

“It just occurred to me I’ve never put a ring on anyone else or myself — so this is new,” Rose quipped in a video shared to his Instagram. “If you know me, you know commitment isn’t exactly my strong suit. But when I noticed this funny little indentation on my pinky, I knew it was time for a big change.”

A New Kind of Commitment

UScellular/The Martin Agency

Notoriously noncommittal, Rose is flipping the script as UScellular’s first-ever Pinky Promise Officiant, officiating digital detox “vows” on social media and encouraging fans to unplug and reconnect IRL.

“I’ve had people here in Charleston come up to me like, ‘We saw your video. It was so funny and it hit home,’” the “Southern Charm” star added. “If I can accomplish those two goals — funny and insightful — that’s kind of what my raison d’être is. Hopefully meaningful, too.”

The campaign strikes a particularly personal note for Rose, who recalled a time before smartphones dominated everyday life. “I didn’t have a cell phone until senior year in college,” he said. “So I remember the days where you went outside and played basketball and rode your bike. I hope kids are still doing that.”

Unplugging, Rose admits, is still a work in progress — even on dates. “I was on a date last night. I was waiting for an Uber, and she was like, ‘You’re on your phone,’” he shared. “She gave me a hard time, and I thought to myself, ‘Oh my god, I’m going against what I’ve been preaching.’

New Season, New Shep?

UScellular/The Martin Agency

So, does Rose’s vow to reduce screen time mean he’s rethinking his flair for emotionally charged texts, like the infamous message to ex-girlfriend Sienna Evans? Not quite.

“I’m a writer,” he said, laughing. “What it taught me is that I could be a pretty good romance novelist… If everything worked out for us, what kind of life would that be? That’s not the kind of life I like. I like adversity. That’s how you grow.”

Fortunately, his new digital outlook still leaves plenty of room for adventure. “The things that make me happy don’t require a cell phone,” he said. “Whether it’s the ocean, surfing, a creek in Alaska, or the outback of Australia — I just want to explore and scratch my adventurous itch.”

As part of the campaign, the reality star is also giving fans a chance to join the movement: four commenters on his Instagram post will win a ring and a personalized video message, while 10 more can score rings through UScellular’s Instagram and TikTok.

With a refreshed mindset, a new season of “Southern Charm” on the horizon, and a campaign that’s making fans laugh and reflect, Shep Rose might finally be ready for the kind of commitment that counts.