Leave it to Craig Conover and Austen Kroll to make a literary costume party the scene for one of their more explosive fights in *Southern Charm* history. Craig, 36, and Austen, 38, went head-to-head on the Wednesday, December 3, episode of the Bravo series while dressed as Lost Boys leader Rufio from *Hook* and Hermione Granger from *Harry Potter*, respectively.
Craig took a jab at Austen’s relationship with now-ex Audrey Pratt after Austen made a quip about Craig doing too many shots as a newly single guy. “Austen’s so jealous,” Craig mumbled for all their friends to hear at the party.
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While Austen denied he was envious of Craig’s life, the Sewing Down South founder didn’t believe him. “You’re so jealous. You’re locked up now in your house. You and your kittens,” Craig quipped, referring to Austen becoming a “cat dad” and being stuck in a relationship with Audrey. Austen retorted, “Craig, You’ve been locked up for five years, all of sudden he emerges, and he’s f*ing having fun,” seemingly referring to Craig’s newfound party side following his split from Paige DeSorbo in late 2024.
“I don’t know why it bothers you what other people do. Just be yourself, man, that’s all that anyone wants,” Craig, dressed in pirate attire with makeup on his face, clapped back. “I’m being myself, I’m having late nights at my house, praying with everyone. It’s been a blast. So for you to hate on fun is silly.” Austen, wearing a school girl skirt and *Harry Potter*-style scarf, claimed he wasn’t “mad” at Craig but claimed he looked “insane” for yelling at him in front of everyone.
“You’re the only one that’s bitter and you don’t know yourself,” Craig alleged. Austen took offense to the remark, asking, “Should I switch it around on you and pull a Craig Conover special? Why are you so unhappy?”
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Craig claimed Austen was the “only unhappy person here because you’re living a lie.” He then took another jab at Austen’s romance with Audrey, alleging, “You’re stuck in a relationship. You’re not happy.” Austen insisted Craig didn’t know what he was talking about, but he was convinced he was in the loop. “You told me that you were jealous I was single,” Craig said, referring to a conversation he and Austen had earlier in the episode in which Austen did confess to having “a little bit of fomo” and missing being single “a little” while Craig was dating new people.
During their fight, however, Austen claimed he “never said that” and he was “not jealous of anything” Craig was doing. “Happy people don’t tear people down. You’re not happy,” Craig declared, to which Austen fired back, “And here you are, tearing people down.”
As Craig stormed off the rest of the group looked on, stunned. “I hope you find happiness one day,” Craig yelled back at his one-time best friend. “I hope you do too, Craig, I really do. You d*,” Austen muttered under his breath. Craig slammed the door as he called Austen a “f*ing loser.”
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Craig and Austen’s blowout came shortly after Craig predicted that Austen becoming a cat owner would ruin either their relationship or his romance with Audrey. “Austen, that’s the kiss of death! My last three ex-girlfriends have gotten a cat right before breaking up with me,” Craig told Austen on the phone before shopping for cat toys and gear with his friend. Naomie [Olindo] got a new cat, then during COVID my ex Natalie Hegnauer had just gotten a cat, Stormy, and then Paige got a cat.”
Craig recalled being happy about the pet situation until all three relationships soured. “I was like, ‘Oh cool, we’re one happy family’ and they’re like, ‘Actually this is a family of two,’” he said. “Oh, my gosh,” Austen said after hearing the bad track record Craig had experienced with cats.
He then pointed out that getting a pet was “something that Audrey and I are not doing together,” but was something he “really” wanted.
While filming season 11 of *Southern Charm* over the summer, rumors surfaced that Austen and Audrey, whom he began dating in 2023, had called it quits. Austen confirmed to *Us Weekly* last month that he and Audrey had parted ways and fans would see it play out on screen. Austen explained on the Wednesday episode of the “Chicks in the Office” podcast that their breakup came after conversations about their future — and continued long-distance issues — was had. “That’s what made it so hard and so adult at the same time,” he said, noting he thought Audrey should move to Charleston with him, but she was happy in Charlotte, which was OK. “Normally, you break up because something happens. That’s what made it all that harder.”
*Southern Charm* airs on Bravo Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET.
