Patricia Claps Back at Criticism of Her Take on Paige & Craig's Split: "Totally Incorrect

After more than a decade as Southern Charm's resident matriarch, Patricia Altschul is hardly one to shy away from speaking her mind — even if said candor lands her in some hot water.

Case in point: During a January appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Miss Patricia shared her opinion that Summer House's Paige DeSorbo "was mean to" Craig Conover, and therefore, their breakup came as no surprise to her. At the time, she further referenced career-focused Paige's "bleh" reaction to Craig wanting to get married and have kids as evidence of her bold claim.

Fast forward to the Southern Charm Season 10 Reunion Part 2, and host Andy Cohen brought up Patricia's WWHL comment about Paige. 

"I took a lot of criticism for saying that because people said, 'Oh, you know, you're not a career-oriented, independent woman," which is totally incorrect. I've always worked," Patricia, who is a retired art history professor and art dealer, clapped back. "But my point was that it was dismissive and bordered on being rude. It was the way she said it."

Patricia Altschul's dating advice for Craig and Shep

Pointing out that both Craig and Shep Rose were single when the reunion filmed in February, Andy also asked if she had any dating advice for the duo now.

"I have made many suggestions over the years, and they look at me and, you know, they nod, and [say,] ‘Yes yes yes.’ But, as you can tell, nobody pays any attention. It gets lost," Miss Pat replied. "So, ya know, I don't even bother. It's not worth it. I don't bother anymore." 

A little later, she also spilled the tea that both Craig and Shep "tried to hook up with" Madison LeCroy when she invited her to parties during Southern Charm's early days.

Patricia Altschul reflects on a decade of Southern Charm

That’s not all she had to dish about the show's inception either, including the fact that she never wanted to be on Southern Charm in the first place. Luckily, her son, executive producer Whitney Sudler-Smith convinced her, though.

"I mean, I came to Charleston to retire and, you know, read and eat bonbons on my chaise, and he said, 'Just do it for five minutes,'" she shared. "And then they [called] me and they said, 'Well, just do it for the next episode,' and then…"

She continued, "I never thought it would go anywhere. I mean, who would be interested in watching this cast of reprobates and their misdeeds that have gone on now for 10 years?"

Fast-forward to now, and Miss Patricia — as well as the Charleston locals and tourists alike — have come to "love" Southern Charm. "And the carriage rides now by my houses," the matriarch boasted.

See more of her unfiltered takes at the Southern Charm reunion, and take a look back at Patricia, Craig, Shep, and Whitney’s must-see original casting tapes from 2013.