Craig Conover is reflecting on two of the biggest relationships in his life—his romance with Paige DeSorbo and his long-running feud with Kyle Cooke.
During a recent appearance on “The Good Guys” podcast, the “Southern Charm” star looked back on his highly publicized breakup with the “Summer House” star and admitted the fallout was unlike anything he had experienced before. Craig also revealed why he recently decided to put years of tension with Kyle behind him.
Craig Conover Says the Public Breakup Was Impossible to Escape
After Paige ended their relationship in late 2024, fans quickly took sides, with many Bravo stars publicly supporting her. Looking back, Craig said the attention surrounding the breakup made moving forward especially difficult.
“Because we share so much of our lives and the fourth wall is so strong, you feel like you’re a part of us, and so you feel connected,” Craig explained. “And so when a breakup that public happens, when people felt so strongly about both of us and so close to both of us, it had an interesting effect or a ripple effect through the society that we were used to.”
He added, “It was weird and tough and one of those things where you’re like, ‘This is happening for a reason.'”
Craig said there was no escaping constant reminders of the split.
“[I was] constantly reminded, but there’s no hiding from it,” he shared. “You’re either digging yourself out of this emotional hole or you’re going to be stuck there because no one’s forgetting this and it’s documented.”
He also reflected on how fans attached their own experiences to the breakup.
“You saw a lot of people relating to one of the two of us and then, through that, trying to place their own experiences and almost get validation through that,” he said. “There was definitely this attachment that we dealt with.”
Despite the difficult ending, Craig said he looks back on the relationship positively.
“For three years, me and the person that I was dating achieved more in our own lives than we ever had,” he said, noting that he changed his relationship with alcohol and watched his career expand into acting.
The ‘Southern Charm’ Star Says Forgiving Kyle Cooke Changed Everything
Craig also opened up about ending his years-long feud with Kyle, admitting he once believed their friendship was beyond repair.
“And Kyle was the first person who was a huge challenge to me, who I never thought I would speak to again because I thought there were things that happened that were unforgivable,” Craig said.
That perspective changed after Kyle stopped by Craig’s store during one of his pillow parties and spent time taking photos with fans.
“The next day he came to my store during a pillow party and took pictures with the fans, and the joy that it brought the fans to see me and him not hate each other, for some reason just triggered something in my head,” Craig recalled.
He said choosing forgiveness turned out to be much easier than he expected.
“It didn’t cost anything,” Craig said. “I feel lighter. … Life’s too short. … We’re good.”
Craig will return to Bravo later this year on season 12 of “Southern Charm.”
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