Craig Conover has come a good distance since his actuality TV debut in 2014. His evolution throughout season 9 — and his hilarious one-liners — make him the unsung hero of Southern Appeal in 2023.
Craig’s transformation has been obvious because the September premiere. “[I] began to get more healthy and reduce my ingesting and attempt to be rather less reactive,” Craig, 34, solely instructed Us after the season started, noting he’s remodeled. “Fortuitously, I’ve grown up somewhat bit, so my habits has modified, hopefully for the higher, but it surely’s simply me being myself.”
Craig’s new outlook on filming has additionally led to an total happier way of life, which his castmates have observed. “It’s arduous to ever really feel dangerous for Craig as a result of, Craig’s, like, kinda good,” Jarrett “JT” Thomas stated throughout a November episode of the Bravo sequence.
Craig isn’t all the time good, however he did regularly convey the laughs this season. Case and level: When Craig instructed the cameras why he was satisfied that pal Austen Kroll was mendacity about hooking up with Taylor Ann Inexperienced.
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“You solely have to observe a handful of spy films to know for those who look down and to the left meaning you’re mendacity,” Craig claimed with a straight face throughout a September clip after noticing Austen’s physique language. “Watch any present the place there’s an interrogation and so they’ll discuss it. It’s primarily based off one thing!” (Austen, 36, and Taylor, 28, later confessed to kissing after beforehand denying it.)
Scroll right down to see why Craig is Southern Appeal’s 2023 MVP:
1. He’s a Hopeless Romantic
Throughout a boys’ journey to North Carolina, Craig bought excited after studying that his BFF Austen was abstaining from intercourse for 2 months. “This might be the beginning of a fantastic rom-com,” Craig exclaimed. “Like, you meet the precise lady, however you’re like, ‘I’ve to attend two months nonetheless.’ Then the massive evening lastly comes!”
2. He Grew to become a Model Star — With Paige’s Assist
Craig has upgraded his wardrobe from Charleston frat boy to a complicated businessman. Despite the fact that the Pillow Speak creator nonetheless wears a whole lot of pastels, which his girlfriend, Paige DeSorbo, often shies away from, his model is way more grownup.
3. He Wasn’t Afraid to Name Out Shep and Austen
The largest drama from season 9 stemmed from Austen kissing Shep Rose’s ex-girlfriend Taylor simply months after they break up in 2022. Austen, in the meantime, was recent off a breakup with costar Olivia Flowers, who was shut with Taylor on the time.
Because the drama performed out, Craig turned the voice of cause. “I’m not preachy with you ever, however you realize my concept on spending time with exes,” Craig instructed Austen throughout a sitdown, warning him to maintain his distance from Olivia, 31.
Elsewhere in the identical November episode, Craig slammed Shep, 43, and Austen for not being trustworthy with one another concerning the Taylor scandal. “No, you didn’t select to be a gentleman. You selected to be like, ‘I don’t how the f–okay to take care of this proper now, as a result of certainly one of my finest mates attached with my ex,’” Craig instructed Shep throughout a gaggle dinner. “You’re a lot angrier than the way you let off.”
Craig confessed that he had “some critical s–t in opposition to” what Austen did to Shep, however famous that Shep “burying” his emotions concerning the betrayal was making issues worse. Craig alleged that each Shep and Austen had been “burying s–t as a result of they’re boys and so they don’t discuss their emotions.”
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4. His Want to Be a Dad Is Too Cute
“I would like that story ebook life. I do need the white picket fence,” Craig confessed throughout a November episode, noting he was able to “be engaged” to Paige, 31, by the tip of 2023. “I simply wish to be certain that we proceed to development in that route.”
Craig defined that his “future all the time consisted of a household with youngsters,” which led to him questioning whether or not Paige is definitely worth the wait. “What do I would like extra? Do I wish to be with Paige and be affected person to finally have that household together with her? Or do I would like the household so dangerous that I’m going to go away the love of my life?” he contemplated, earlier than confirming that he doesn’t need youngsters with somebody he doesn’t love.
“Paige is 30 and after we discuss these items, often she’s like, ‘Nicely, I’ll have youngsters at 35.’ 5 years from now, I’ll be 40,” Craig instructed the cameras. “My organic clock is ticking.”
5. His Stitching Empire Is Thriving
Craig launched Stitching Down South in 2019 after being ridiculed for his stitching by ex-girlfriend Naomie Olindo on season 5. “Stitching Down South has grown exponentially,” he defined throughout a September scene, noting that he began in his home earlier than increasing to on-line gross sales, a flagship retailer and most not too long ago a warehouse. “Transfer over Martha Stewart, I’m right here to remain!” he declared.
6. He Stood By His Outlandish Theories, No Matter the Backlash
“Do you suppose panda bears are actual? I actually needed them to be actual,” Craig revealed whereas hanging out with the blokes in a November episode. When the group requested why Craig doesn’t suppose the animal is actual, he replied, “There’s simply no proof of it.” Craig later instructed the cameras, “Pandas positively aren’t actual. They’re individuals in panda fits.”
Craig as soon as once more shared his theories on how the world works throughout their journey to Jamaica, telling Madison LeCroy that one of the simplest ways to do away with hiccups was to say, “I’m not a fish.” He defined, “Hiccups come from the truth that we advanced from fish. We used to breathe underwater and so they overlook [we are] not fish.” Madison, 33, adopted his directions, however surprisingly it didn’t work.
7. He’s a True ‘90s Child at Coronary heart
Craig confirmed off his strikes throughout a visit to Jamaica after revealing he needed to learn the way the locals danced. “I really like dancing. I bear in mind watching YouTube movies making an attempt to discover ways to dance like Justin Bieber,” he stated throughout a December scene. “I in all probability began with, like, ‘NSync, then Usher and Justin Bieber.”
8. He Was the Final Host Through the Group’s Jamaica Journey
The gang’s tropical getaway was dramatic from begin to end, however Craig saved everybody’s spirits up as he organized one enjoyable exercise after the opposite. One of the best half was that he had gown codes for every event. “Journey stylish is the theme tomorrow with a swimming facet to it,” he instructed his mates throughout a November episode earlier than they headed out to see waterfalls.
9. He Is in Love and He Doesn’t Care Who Is aware of It
All through the season, followers bought a greater glimpse into Paige and Craig’s romance in Charleston. Craig, who has been relationship Paige since 2021, additionally gave extra perception into his emotions towards her throughout his confessionals, sharing in an October episode that “Paige has the perspective and vitality of a Yankee, we’ll say. … She’s feisty!”
In a separate clip, Craig revealed why he thinks Paige and costar Madison turned quick mates. “Paige loves Madison, truly, as a result of they’re each fiery as heck typically,” he teased. “However see, I really like hearth. I really like fireworks. So long as it doesn’t blow up in my face, I get pleasure from it.”
Throughout a December scene, Craig gushed to the cameras about his girlfriend, saying, “I’m so appreciative that I’ve somebody that I get together with and that I really like. All that issues is that I’m pleased and she or he’s supportive of me.”
