Shep Rose Spills on the Unexpected Star of ‘Southern Charm’ Season 11

Craig Conover is stepping into the spotlight for “Southern Charm” season 11. According to longtime castmate Shep Rose, fans are in for quite a ride. Rose recently revealed that Conover is doing “a lion’s share” of the heavy lifting in the upcoming season, which comes in the wake of his highly publicized breakup with “Summer House” star Paige DeSorbo. From friendship drama to fresh starts, Rose says viewers will see a more vulnerable and dynamic side of Conover than ever before.

Shep Rose Says ‘Southern Charm’ Season 11 Will Be a Standout for 1 Star

Conover’s breakup with DeSorbo may have been messy, but it’s also the catalyst for what Rose says is a standout season for the Sewing Down South founder.

“I was really proud of him coming out of the gates,” Rose shared with US Weekly, adding that Conover had previously isolated himself while in the relationship. “And that’s OK that he was trying to prove some things to himself and to her. And he did a fine job, I thought.”

Now that Conover is newly single and recalibrating his life, Rose says fans will see a more open and vulnerable version of him than ever before. 

“I’m not going to speak for him, but he is coming off that breakup — very public breakup — [so] get ready,” he said. “I really think it’s going to be a fantastic season.”

Conover, for his part, echoed the sentiment, telling Interview magazine that season 11 is a “monster season” and that he hasn’t “felt like this in a couple years.”

Craig Conover Talks Romance While Shep Rose Teases Plenty of Bromance

This season of “Southern Charm” won’t just focus on heartbreak. Conover’s post-breakup renaissance also includes passion projects, bro-bickering, and…berries? 

The Charleston-based lawyer and entrepreneur revealed that his gardening obsession will take center stage. Conover’s backyard setup now includes strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. 

“If I had a crush on a girl, I would take her into my garden and pick a strawberry for her,” Conover shared, calling fruit “very sexy.” 

He’s also teaming up with Austen Kroll to open a wedding venue, explaining that their dynamic is that of an old married couple.

“Austen and I are opening a wedding venue in Charleston, even though we can’t stop fighting with each other all the time,” Conover joked.

Rose noted that the trio of himself, Conover, and Kroll will have plenty of screen time together in season 11, which will include a fair bit of tension. 

“We all kind of have the dirt on each other, so that’s always lurking. We talk about that this season,” Rose said. “It’s like, ‘Guys, we have to stop playing Gotcha so much.’ Sometimes we can weaponize information and we’re all guilty of it.”

‘Southern Charm’ Season 11 Will Find Craig Conover More Grounded—Literally

After years of splitting his time between Charleston and New York, Conover is fully embracing a more grounded, earthy lifestyle in the south. 

“I’ve been fascinated with grounding recently. Not just theoretically, but also in real life — just touching grass,” he said. “I love gardening, and I’m barefoot in my backyard all the time. I loved my chapters that I got to spend in New York City, but I went a while without touching the ground sometimes.”

While his romance with DeSorbo ended after Thanksgiving 2024, and both of them have moved on in their dating lives, Conover appears focused on personal growth — with help from his garden. 

“The plants don’t care if you have a messy week. They just want you to show up for them. I talk to myself enough during the day and now I talk to bees and plants too. The plants don’t judge you,” Conover concluded.

A premiere date for “Southern Charm” season 11 has not yet been announced.