Austen Kroll

Austen Kroll
Birthplace	Washington, D.C., United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Television personality, entrepreneur
Known for	Southern Charm (Bravo)

Austen Kroll is an American television personality and entrepreneur best known for appearing on the Bravo reality series Southern Charm, which follows the personal and professional lives of socialites in Charleston, South Carolina. He joined the cast during Season 4 in 2017 and has stayed with the show through Season 11. Alongside fellow cast members Craig Conover and Shep Rose, Kroll's become one of the show's most recognizable faces. Beyond television, he's pursued entrepreneurial work in craft beer, drawing on his background and passion for brewing. His on-screen romances and friendships have driven major storylines across multiple seasons, keeping him visible throughout the Bravo universe and in entertainment media.

Early Life

Austen Kroll was born and raised in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. He later moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where he immersed himself in the city's social scene. While various episodes of Southern Charm have touched on his family background and upbringing, detailed biographical information from his early years before his television career is scarce in published sources. His relocation to Charleston put him squarely in the cultural milieu that serves as the backdrop for the Bravo series, which explores Southern culture, the region's political history, and the social dynamics of Charleston's elite.

Career

Southern Charm

Southern Charm premiered on Bravo on March 3, 2014, designed to chronicle the personal and professional lives of several socialites in Charleston, South Carolina. The series showcases Southern culture and the region's political history, featuring local landmarks like Lewisfield Plantation and Mikell House. It was part of a larger expansion of Bravo's reality programming. The network announced premiere dates for several new and returning series throughout 2014 and 2015.

Kroll joined Southern Charm during Season 4, which aired in 2017. His arrival came as Bravo was developing spinoff series including Southern Charm Savannah and RelationShep, featuring Shep Rose. Variety covered the broader Southern Charm franchise developments during this period, noting the greenlight for spinoff projects.

By Season 5, which premiered in 2018, Kroll had firmly established himself in the ensemble cast. The season marked a transition for the series. Original cast member Thomas Ravenel departed the show. Vulture reviewed the premiere episode in detail, covering the changes the cast was experiencing. The show continued to be renewed alongside other Bravo programming such as Shahs of Sunset and Million Dollar Listing.

Throughout his tenure, Kroll's maintained close friendships with Craig Conover and Shep Rose. The three frequently appear together at promotional events and social gatherings tied to Bravo. In early 2025, Kroll, Conover, Rose, and members of the Southern Hospitality cast gathered for a premiere party celebrating Top Chef Season 23, illustrating just how interconnected Bravo's programming ecosystem really is and how deep the social bonds run among its reality personalities.

Cast composition has shifted considerably over the years. Naomie Olindo and Chelsea Meissner departed at various points, as did Eliza Limehouse. Through all these changes, Kroll stayed. He evolved from the newer guy into someone central to the show's narrative.

Season 11 and Recent Developments

Season 11 aired in 2025 and featured Kroll prominently. A significant storyline involved his relationship with Salley Carson, a fellow cast member. Both on screen and in media coverage, their connection became a major topic of discussion. At the Season 11 reunion, Andy Cohen put Kroll and Carson "in the hot seat," asking pointed questions about the nature of their involvement.

The two gave a post-filming update exclusively on the Southern Charm After Show, revealing where they stood once cameras stopped rolling. Carson herself spoke to Elite Daily about the relationship, saying that if she and Kroll were dating, "it could be endgame." She also addressed other topics from her time on the show, including pushback against being called "not a girl's girl."

The reunion also addressed other cast drama. Craig Conover and Charley Manley clashed over conflicting accounts of why their romance ended. Conover stated, "I do not have the same explanation," underscoring tensions within the cast that played out alongside Kroll's own storylines.

Entrepreneurial Ventures

Beyond reality television, Kroll's pursued work in the craft beer industry. Based in Charleston, he's developed brewing-related business ventures that occasionally appear on or get referenced in Southern Charm. His entrepreneurial interests have become part of his on-screen persona, complementing the show's broader focus on both the professional and social lives of its cast.

Broader Bravo Presence

Kroll's visibility extends well beyond Southern Charm into the broader Bravo network. He shows up at network events and participates in the cross-promotional ecosystem linking various Bravo series. The franchise expanded to include Southern Charm New Orleans, which premiered with its own distinct cast and setting while leveraging the brand recognition of the original series. His participation in franchise-adjacent events like the Top Chef Season 23 premiere party with other Bravo cast members reflects his position within the network's roster of recurring television personalities.

Personal Life

Kroll lives in Charleston, South Carolina. His romantic relationships have been a recurring subject on Southern Charm, with involvement from various cast members and other individuals forming significant plotlines across multiple seasons. During Season 11, his connection with Salley Carson drew particular attention. She told Elite Daily she believed a romantic relationship with Kroll could potentially be "endgame," signaling how seriously both parties approached the connection. At the Season 11 reunion, Andy Cohen questioned Kroll and Carson directly about their relationship status. The two later provided an update on the Southern Charm After Show.

He maintains friendships with several co-stars. Craig Conover and Shep Rose in particular are close to him. They frequently socialize both on and off camera, and the show has documented these relationships alongside their joint appearances at Bravo-affiliated events.

Recognition

As a long-running cast member of Southern Charm, Kroll's accumulated a significant media profile in the reality television space. Major entertainment outlets including People, Variety, Deadline Hollywood, Vulture, Us Magazine, and Elite Daily have all covered the series extensively. His storylines and personal developments have been the subject of numerous articles, interviews, and recap features across these publications.

The Southern Charm franchise, of which Kroll is a central part, has been a commercial success for Bravo. This success has led to multiple spinoff series including Southern Charm Savannah, Southern Charm New Orleans, and Southern Hospitality, as well as the related series RelationShep featuring his co-star Shep Rose. The show has been renewed consistently since its 2014 debut, with Bravo investing in its continuation alongside other flagship reality series.

His presence from Season 4 through Season 11 places him among the longest-serving cast members in the series' history. That consistency has helped maintain the franchise's stability during a period marked by significant cast turnover.