Southern Charm's Craig Conover Talks Marriage Timeline With Paige DeSorbo, Where He Stands With Shep Rose, and "[Butting] Heads" With Austen Kroll, Plus What He's Learned From Show, Who Left Him "Starstruck," and His Recent Splurge tram

Craig Conover is opening up about his future with Paige DeSorbo, where he stands with Shep Rose, and more.

Ahead of the highly anticipated 10th season of Southern Charm, Craig, 36, revealed what the show has taught him, looked back on a celebrity run-in, and shared a recent splurge while also dishing on his “goal” with Paige, 31, his relationship with Shep, 44, and working with Austen Kroll, 37.

“Being in the same industry helps. I’ve dated people who weren’t on TV, and that’s fine, too, but it’s cool to experience this with Paige,” Craig told Life & Style about what makes his romance with Paige work.

Although fans continue to wonder when Craig and Paige will get engaged, he made it clear that they are in no rush.

“The goal is to one day be married and have kids, but we realize we still have plenty of time to do that. There’s a false sense of urgency that’s put onto you, and I was guilty of that, too. We want to just let things evolve organically,” he shared. “We’re enjoying the life we’re living now.”

Following a tense ninth season with Shep, Craig said they’ve learned to accept that they are simply different people. 

“We’ve accepted that we’re not alike at all; we disagree on almost everything. We’re better than where we were at the reunion, and we’re on a path forward,” he confirmed. “Sometimes when people grow and evolve it intimidates other people. We’ve seen on the show for years that people had problems with how I lived my life. It used to be I went out too much and didn’t work enough. Now I work too much and don’t go out enough. But I think they’ve started to accept me for who I am.”

After Craig began reassessing his drinking habits years ago, Shep came forward with his own alcohol issues at the season nine reunion.

“That’s a big storyline this coming season. I’ve been on my own journey with drinking, and Shep is on his. Anytime you’re dealing with recovery, it’s very important to keep moving forward. Sometimes you’re going to slip up, but I think as long as your intent is good, everyone will be OK,” he noted.

In addition to filming season 10, Craig recently began working with Austen on a new restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina.

“We butt heads a lot,” he admitted of their dynamic. “We have to be careful because we’ve got our podcast and we also own Carriage House in NYC. It definitely puts stress on our relationship — but it also pulls us through a lot of things.”

Looking back on his years on Southern Charm, Craig revealed that the series taught him accountability.

“I started filming when I was 24, and I’m 36 now,” he explained. “I’ve grown up a lot. Reality TV is a giant mirror you hold up to yourself. Every year you’re trying to get better. It holds you accountable.”

“As you get older, you begin to accept more accountability. I did dumb stuff in my 20s, but sharing those low points has a purpose,” he continued. “People see I didn’t start [my business] Sewing Down South until I was 31 and that I moved in with my parents at 26. It wasn’t until about a year ago that I stopped drinking for the most part. I used to be able to find a million excuses, but I’m a little better now. Accountability is the biggest thing in my life.”

As for who left him the “most starstruck,” Craig named actor and comedian Danny McBride, 47.

“He lives in Charleston, and he is still my favorite person that I have met. He came up to me and [Cameran Eubanks] when he first moved there. It was the first time I had ever felt starstruck,” he shared. “We’ve become friends over the years with Danny, but it’s still just as exciting every time I run into him.”

Also during the interview, Craig said his biggest splurge as of late has been his backyard.

“I basically built everything that makes me happy: an outdoor kitchen, a big-screen TV out there that I can watch from the pool. We’ve got our bees and our garden,” he gushed.