Molly O’Connell

Molly O'Connell
Birthplace	United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Reality television personality, model, musician
Known for	America's Next Top Model (Cycle 16), Southern Charm (Season 11)

Molly O'Connell is an American reality television personality, model, and musician who first gained public attention as the runner-up on Cycle 16 of America's Next Top Model, which aired in 2011. Nearly fifteen years after her appearance on the modeling competition series, O'Connell returned to reality television as a cast member on Season 11 of Southern Charm, the Bravo network series that chronicles the personal and professional lives of socialites residing in Charleston, South Carolina. On Southern Charm, O'Connell became known for her interactions with established cast members including Shep Rose, Austen Kroll, and Craig Conover, while simultaneously pursuing a career in music. Her transition from the modeling world to reality television and the music industry has marked her as a multifaceted figure in the contemporary reality television landscape.

Career

America's Next Top Model

O'Connell appeared as a contestant on Cycle 16 of America's Next Top Model, a reality television competition series created by Tyra Banks. She advanced through the competition and was ultimately named the runner-up of her cycle. Her appearance on the show provided her with initial public visibility and established her within the modeling industry. The cycle aired in 2011, making O'Connell's return to reality television on Southern Charm in 2025 a notable development that came approximately fifteen years after her first television appearance.

Southern Charm

Southern Charm is an American reality television series that premiered on Bravo on March 3, 2014. The series chronicles the personal and professional lives of several socialites who reside in Charleston, South Carolina, with a focus on Southern culture and the political history of the area. O'Connell joined the cast for the show's eleventh season, which aired in late 2025.

During Season 11, O'Connell became a central figure in several storylines. Her interactions with longtime cast member Austen Kroll drew attention after Kroll revealed on the Southern Charm After Show that he had been "flirting" with O'Connell during the cast's trip to Mexico. O'Connell also appeared on the show's digital after-show series, where she offered commentary on the dynamics between other cast members, including a notable moment in which she suggested that Craig Conover and Austen Kroll attend couple's therapy, stating "legitimately," in reference to the complexities of their friendship.

O'Connell's appearance on Southern Charm was noted by media outlets as a significant development in her post-America's Next Top Model career, with People magazine and AOL both publishing features on her trajectory from modeling competition runner-up to Bravo reality star.

Music Career

In addition to her work in reality television, O'Connell has been pursuing a career in music. Her musical aspirations were documented during her time on Southern Charm Season 11, and she has spoken publicly about her plans to focus on her music career moving forward.

In a December 2025 interview with Bravo, O'Connell revealed that she planned to make significant strides in her music career in 2026, describing the endeavor as "facing her fears." She shared details about what she characterized as an exciting career move related to her musical pursuits. The announcement indicated O'Connell's intention to establish herself as a musician alongside her reality television career.

Personal Life

O'Connell resides in Charleston, South Carolina, where Southern Charm is filmed.

During the filming and airing of Southern Charm Season 11, O'Connell's romantic life became a subject of public interest. In December 2025, she revealed on the show that she had a new boyfriend, prompting a reaction from former flame Shep Rose, a longtime cast member on the series. Rose weighed in on O'Connell's new relationship in exclusive comments to Bravo.

During the Season 11 reunion, O'Connell shared additional details about her relationship, revealing that her new boyfriend is an older musician. She provided surprising new details about the relationship during the reunion taping.

O'Connell's interactions with Austen Kroll also generated attention, as Kroll disclosed on the Southern Charm After Show that he had attempted to pursue a romantic connection with O'Connell during the cast's trip to Mexico, though the nature and outcome of that pursuit was discussed primarily from Kroll's perspective.

Recognition

O'Connell's return to reality television after her initial appearance on America's Next Top Model attracted media coverage from several outlets. People magazine published a feature examining her life and career in the years since her runner-up finish on the modeling competition, noting her transition to Southern Charm and her pursuit of a musical career. AOL similarly profiled O'Connell, characterizing her as having "become a reality star in her own right" through her role on the Bravo series.

Her various appearances on Bravo's digital content, including the Southern Charm After Show, contributed to her visibility with the show's audience during Season 11. Multiple exclusive interviews published by Bravo's official website covered O'Connell's personal life updates and career plans, indicating the network's interest in positioning her as a notable member of the Season 11 cast.