Craig Conover was single and ready to mingle on the Southern Charm season 11 premiere — but that doesn’t mean Paige DeSorbo was totally off his mind.
“I was betrayed by the person I trusted most in this entire world,” Craig, 37, claimed during the Wednesday, November 19, episode of the Bravo series, referring to Paige, 33. “I mean we had our whole future planned.”
Fans were then shown a throwback clip from 2024, in which Craig told Paige, “Let’s get engaged and get married two years later.” Paige replied, “OK,” before they both said, “Deal.”
During the premiere, filmed a few months after Craig and Paige called it quits in fall 2024, Craig confessed that it had “been a journey” navigating his life without the Summer House alum.
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“I will say that I’ve hit a level of sadness that’s not depression based, it’s more bummer based,” Craig told costar Madison LeCroy. “Because I never did anything to deserve becoming the villain in her story. But she needs a villain.”
Craig appeared to be referring to Paige’s allegation on the season 9 Summer House reunion that he had no real plans to propose to her. She claimed during the May episode, “That ring does not exist,” referring to the alleged engagement ring Craig said he purchased and later returned.
“I feel bad for the guy,” Madison, 35, told the cameras on Wednesday’s episode. “I know that he in his mind believes that she was his wife. I do think he’s so hurt that he can’t even explain what he’s feeling.”
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Craig, meanwhile, felt optimistic about his future. “A lot of people say you have three true loves,” he explained in a confessional. “I had my first one with Naomie [Olindo]. Then second one with Paige. So I’m kinda holding on to that.”
Craig later confessed to Madison that he was “a little nervous” that he might’ve “aged out” of finding The One and settling down now that he was 37. Madison laughed and pointed to Shep Rose as proof that guys can keep searching for love at any age. (Shep, 45, was single going into the season as well.)
While Craig briefly touched upon his and Paige’s split — which shook the Bravo universe in late 2024 — the majority of the premiere showed him at odds with Venita Aspen over how she allegedly supported Paige over him in the wake of their breakup.
During the episode, Venita, 32, explained that she “consciously” decided to “text Paige over Craig because who do I have a stronger relationship with? Paige, not Craig. Sorry.”
Prior to filming this season, Craig and Venita traded public jabs after Venita said she was on “Paige’s side” in their breakup. Craig dropped a bombshell during a March appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, revealing, “Yeah, I’m not friends with her.”
Craig and Venita crossed paths during the season 11 premiere while attending Madison’s baby shower with their crew.
Venita opted to avoid Craig, telling the cameras, “I am absolutely terrified of Craig’s temper. I’ve seen Craig yell at Naomie. I saw him yell at Leva [Bonaparte]. I’ve seen him yell at JT [Thomas]. Craig is a certified a**hole so he’s not someone I’m willing to go bat to bat with.”
Craig had a similar feeling about making amends with Venita, telling pal Rodrigo Reyes, “I don’t like her. I don’t f*** with her.”
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“Venita said I was enjoying my breakup, reveling in all the attention I was getting from it and dragging it on because I didn’t want it to end,” Craig recalled. “Anyone who would say that is clearly not my friend.”
The episode ended with Venita storming out of the baby shower after her newfound bestie Salley Carson tried to get her to talk to Craig before Salley, 30, hung out with him and the guys at an afterparty.
“I guess Salley is a girls’ girl until a man is involved,” Venita quipped.
Salley, however, didn’t see it that way. “I don’t personally think it’s breaking girl code to be chatting with the enemy,” she said. “If they start getting in a fight and Craig starts screaming at Venita, I’m coming in to save my girl. But if I’m just talking to Craig and having a good conversation with him, I think that that’s OK.”
Southern Charm airs on Bravo Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET.
