Southern Charm star Craig Conover opened up about family plans and navigating a long-distance relationship with his girlfriend, Paige DeSorbo, just weeks before their unexpected break-up.
Summer House star DeSorbo announced their split after three years of dating on Monday on her podcast Giggly Squad, saying, “Craig and I have decided to no longer be together.”
Fans had rooted for the Bravo couple, hoping Conover would eventually relocate from Charleston to New York.
However, in an interview with The Standard published last month, the Sewing Down South founder admitted he was unsure about moving anytime soon but expressed confidence in their ability to manage a long-distance relationship.
“There's so many long distance relationships out there,” Conover shared. “There's so many people that have to leave for work for a month or two a time that we're completely okay with just being, ‘this is us trying to figure out a long distance relationship’.
“It's funny when you're filmed, and I understand it, because, like, I love TV, so I want to see the next like episode, I want to see the next chapter, but we really want this to work, and it's we think we found like the love of our life, and that's a choice we can either, you know, rush these very important decisions or just take it day-by-day, and we try our best to live for today and tomorrow, and not let the unknown of the future mess us up.”
While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Conover emphasised his commitment to DeSorbo, saying: “Because, yes, obviously when we have kids, we're going to have to figure out where we're going to live. I don't want to leave Charleston. She doesn't want to leave New York, but that's something that I think I'd rather work out with her than someone I don't love as much as her.
“And right now, we get to share that time, and New York City and Charleston are both wonderful places, and they're an hour apart, and so it just works.”
Despite their efforts to make the relationship work, the pair ultimately decided to part ways, leaving fans of the Bravo stars stunned.
DeSorbo confirmed the major life update on the December 30 episode of her and Hannah Berner's podcast, Giggly Squad.
“What I did want to say is that Craig and I have decided to no longer be together,” she said. “And I know I said I would never cry on the internet, but like it's OK if I cry on the pod[cast]. I feel like that's OK.”
She revealed there wasn’t a single event that led to their split but admitted the breakup came as a surprise, explaining that she hadn’t been “expecting” to part ways with the Bravo star. However, she acknowledged experiencing significant personal growth and changes since they began dating.
She added that talking about the situation was “weird,” and said “I love him, I think he loves me. I think we will remain friends. No one did anything.
“It wasn’t a bad thing. I think we both were just being really mature and saying what we want and what we didn’t want, and I think that’s extremely powerful to be able to voice how you’re feeling in real time and what you want for your future.
“I have so much love and respect for Craig. I think he is one of the best people I’ve met in my entire life. I will remain the biggest fan for him and want the best for him, and he truly will get the best, because he is the best. But, with that said, I think it is the right decision for both of us.”
The Bravo star described the breakup as "very sad" and "awkward," before firmly denying any rousing speculation they split for ratings, stating, “The network has power, but not that much. So, that was not true. And the rumours of us breaking up months ago were also not real.”
She added: “He’s definitely the best boyfriend I’ve ever had, like, I can truly say that. He was a great boyfriend, and he did everything correct, and he never made me feel insecure or anything like that, so it almost is harder when no one’s done anything to be mad about, and that’s hard.”
