"Still healing on myself": Southern Charm's Craig Conover talks about being back on dating apps

Craig Conover's most recent amorous adventure has the Bravoverse in a frenzy. Armed with insight and sensitivity, the Southern Charm star is carefully reentering the dating scene following a well-publicized split with Paige DeSorbo.

"I'm still healing on myself, because I really did think I was gonna spend my life with Paige, and it's OK, but I don't think I'm rushing into something," Conover candidly shared.

He explained further:

"I just think for me, it's about going back to my routine and living my life, and if I meet someone through that, then just go with it, but I'm not gonna overthink it."

The reality TV star is navigating the complex world of modern dating with a refreshingly honest approach that's quintessentially Craig Conover.

Craig Conover’s relationship with Paige DeSorbo and its aftermath

Craig Conover’s love life has played out like a Bravo storyline made for reality TV. From his early romance with college sweetheart Naomie Olindo to his whirlwind pandemic relationship with Natalie Hegnauer, and most recently, his high-profile love affair with Summer House star Paige DeSorbo, each chapter has been filled with lessons, heartbreaks, and moments that fans have dissected in real time.

For three years, his relationship with DeSorbo seemed like the perfect match—two reality stars balancing their individual careers while supporting each other through the chaos of life in the public eye. Conover was openly smitten, once declaring:

"I've kind of always searched for a partner and a teammate to share this stuff with, and I couldn't have found a better one."

They blended their worlds, navigated long distance, and for a while, seemed like they had cracked the reality TV relationship code.

But as anyone who's followed Bravo romances knows, love isn’t always a fairytale— especially when lived under the microscope. DeSorbo called Craig Conover "the best boyfriend I've ever had" when she revealed their breakup on her podcast in December 2024, but she also acknowledged the underlying issues that ultimately led them to realize they weren't destined to be together.

Even though their split appeared to be friendly, many were left wondering what went wrong behind the scenes.

Craig Conover isn't rushing into another high-profile romance or plunging headfirst into the dating pool like many of his reality TV peers. He is instead approaching love more introspectively and considering what he really desires in a partnership.

"You shouldn't have to force someone into liking you," he shared in a candid Southern Charm confessional.

Explaining:

"If the person likes you, they'll make time for you."

Many viewers who have watched him negotiate love in the spotlight, grow from his past mistakes, and decide to concentrate on what was really important, resonated with his words.

For now, he's cautiously dipping his toes into the world of dating apps and is in no rush to jump into anything serious. Speaking with Tamron Hall, he admitted:

"I'm not gonna talk to anyone yet. I'm focusing on healing and living my life."

His current mindset signals growth—he’s not just looking for another romance to fill the void, but instead taking the time to truly understand himself outside of a relationship.

Craig Conover’s dating history

Craig Conover has had a very unpredictable romantic journey. Every relationship he has had, from his long-term collegiate romance with Naomie Olindo to his prison romance with Natalie Hegnauer, has influenced him and made him rethink what he really wants in a partner—and, more importantly, in himself.

Conover has discovered that love is about more than simply passion or chemistry; it's also about time, self-discovery, and knowing one's own needs. What was the most important lesson he learned? Patience.

He may have hurried into anything new in the past, but this time he's hitting hold and putting self-discovery first. It's encouraging to witness this degree of emotional maturity, particularly in the frequently dramatic world of reality TV romance.

In the end, Craig Conover's dating experience is a tribute to fortitude, self-awareness, and the significance of loving oneself before looking for love from another. He is one of the most likable characters on reality TV because of his readiness to be vulnerable—to freely express his grief, to take his time getting better, and to fight the urge to jump into something new.

One thing’s for sure: Craig Conover is an open book, and as he writes this new chapter, it’s one filled with introspection, healing, and the quiet confidence of a man who knows that the best love stories—whether on TV or in real life—are worth the wait.

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Southern Charm airs Thursdays at 8/7c on Bravo and streams the next day on Peacock.