Craig Conover won ‘Southern Charm’ in 2023: His best TV moments

Craig Conover has come a long way since his reality TV debut in 2014. His evolution during Season 9 – and his hilarious one-liners – make him the unsung hero of Southern charm in 2023.

Craig’s transformation has been evident since the premiere in September. “[I] I started getting healthier and drinking less and trying to be a little less reactive,” Craig, 34, told exclusively Us after the season started, noting that he has been transformed. “Luckily I’ve matured a bit, so my behavior has changed, hopefully for the better, but I’m just being myself.”

Craig’s new approach to filming has also led to an overall happier lifestyle, which his castmates have noticed. “It’s hard to ever feel sorry for Craig, because Craig is pretty much perfect,” Jarrett “JT” Thomas said during a November episode of the Bravo series.

Craig isn’t always perfect, but he consistently brought laughs this season. Case and point: When Craig told the cameras why he convinced that friend Austen Krol lied about hooking up with Taylor-Ann Green.

“You only have to watch a handful of spy movies to know if you’re looking down and to the left, that means you’re lying,” Craig straight-faced during a September clip after noticing Austen’s body language. ‘Watch a show where there’s an interrogation and they’ll talk about it. It’s based on something!” (Austen, 36, and Taylor, 28, later confessed to kissing after previously denying it.)

Scroll down to see why Craig is Southern charm‘s MVP of 2023:

1. He’s a hopeless romantic

During a boys’ trip to North Carolina, Craig became excited when he learned that his BFF Austen had been abstaining from sex for two months. “This could be the start of a great rom-com,” Craig exclaimed. “For example, you meet the right girl, but you say, ‘I have to wait another two months.’ Then the big night finally comes!”

2. He became a style star – with Paige’s help

Craig has upgraded his wardrobe from Charleston frat boy to sophisticated businessman. Although the Pillow talk author still wears a lot of pastel colors, which his girlfriend, Paige DeSorbowhere he usually shies away, his style is much more mature.

3. He wasn’t afraid to call out Shep and Austen

The biggest drama of season 9 came from Austen kissing Shep Rose‘s ex-girlfriend Taylor, just months after they split in 2022. Austen, meanwhile, was fresh out of his relationship with costar Olivia Flowerswho was close to Taylor at the time.

As the drama unfolded, Craig became the voice of reason. “I never talk to you, but you know my theory about spending time with exes,” Craig told Austen during a chat, warning him to keep his distance from 31-year-old Olivia.

Elsewhere in the same November episode, Craig slammed Shep, 43, and Austen for not being honest with each other about the Taylor scandal. “No, you didn’t choose to be a gentleman. You chose to say, ‘I don’t know how to deal with this now because one of my best friends hooked up with my ex,'” Craig told Shep during a group dinner. “You’re a lot angrier than you let on.”

Craig admitted that he had “a serious resistance to” what Austen had done to Shep, but noted that “burying” his feelings about Shep’s betrayal only made matters worse. Craig claimed that both Shep and Austen were “burying s–t because they’re boys and they don’t talk about their feelings.”

4. His desire to be a father is too cute

“I want to live that storybook life. I want the white picket fence,” Craig admitted during a November episode, noting that he was ready to be “engaged” to 31-year-old Paige by the end of 2023. “I want to make sure we continue to move in that direction. .”

Craig explained that his “future was always about being a family with kids,” which led him to wonder if Paige is worth the wait. “What more could I want? Do I want to be with Paige and have the patience to eventually have that family with her? Or do I want the family so much that I will leave the love of my life?” he pondered, before confirming that he doesn’t want children with someone he doesn’t love.

“Paige is 30 and when we talk about things like this, she usually says, ‘Well, at 35 I’m going to have kids.’ In five years I’ll be 40,” Craig told the cameras. “My biological clock is ticking.”

5. His sewing empire is flourishing

Craig launched Sewing Down South in 2019 after being ridiculed by his ex-girlfriend for his sewing Naomi Olindo about Season 5. “Sewing Down South has grown exponentially,” he explained during a scene in September, noting that he started in his home before expanding to online sales, a flagship store and most recently a warehouse. ‘Just go Martha Stewart“I’m here to stay!” he declared.

6. He stuck to his bizarre theories regardless of the backlash

‘Do you think panda bears are real? I really wanted them to be real,” Craig revealed while hanging out with the guys in a November episode. When the group asked why Craig doesn’t think the animal is real, he replied, “There’s just no evidence.” Craig later told the cameras, “Pandas are definitely not real. They are people in panda suits.”

Craig once again shared his theories about how the world works during their trip to Jamaica Madison LeCroy that the best way to get rid of hiccups was to say, “I’m not a fish.” He explained: ‘Hiccups come from the fact that we evolved from fish. We used to breathe underwater and they forgot [we are] no fish.” Madison, 33, followed his instructions, but surprisingly, it didn’t work.

7. He’s a true ’90s kid through and through

Craig showed off his moves during a trip to Jamaica after revealing he wanted to learn how the locals danced. “I love to dance. I remember watching YouTube videos trying to learn how to dance Justin Bieber” he said during a scene in December. “I probably started with ‘NSync’ then Guard and Justin Bieber.”

8. He was the ultimate host during the group’s Jamaica trip

The gang’s tropical getaway was dramatic from start to finish, but Craig kept everyone informed as he organized one fun activity after another. The best part was that he had a dress code for every occasion. “Adventure chic is the theme tomorrow with a swimming aspect to it,” he told his friends during an episode in November before heading out to see waterfalls.

9. He’s in love and he doesn’t care who knows it

Throughout the season, fans got a better insight into Paige and Craig’s romance in Charleston. Craig, who has been dating Paige since 2021, also gave more insight into his feelings towards her during his confessionals, sharing in an October episode that “Paige has the attitude and energy of a Yankee, shall we say. … She’s feisty!”

In a separate clip, Craig revealed why he thinks Paige and costar Madison have become fast friends. “Paige actually likes Madison because they’re both really fiery sometimes,” he teased. ‘But look, I love fire. I like fireworks. As long as it doesn’t blow up in my face, I enjoy it.”

During a scene in December, Craig opened up to the cameras about his girlfriend, saying, “I’m so grateful that I have someone I get along with and love. All that matters is that I am happy and that she supports me.”