Bravo Drama Unfolds at BravoCon 2025: Shep Rose, Paige DeSorbo, and a Surprising Suggestion
In a surprising moment during BravoCon 2025 in Las Vegas, “The Real Housewives of Dubai” alum Chanel Ayan inadvertently stirred up drama when she suggested that Southern Charm’s Shep Rose should date Summer House star Paige DeSorbo. The 47-year-old reality star seemed unaware of the complicated history between Paige and Shep’s close friend and costar Craig Conover, who had dated for three years before their breakup earlier in 2024. Shep’s reaction was immediate and visceral, exclaiming, “Are you crazy?” while The Valley’s Tom Schwartz aptly described the suggestion as “a kamikaze mission.” Shep explained the obvious conflict, stating, “She dated my best friend,” before adding self-deprecatingly, “by the way, she wouldn’t have me or she couldn’t deal with my ass.” Chanel’s surprised response—”Oh, wow, I didn’t know that”—highlighted how even within the interconnected Bravo universe, not everyone keeps track of all the relationship dynamics at play.
What began as an awkward red carpet moment quickly escalated elsewhere at the convention when Shep unleashed a scathing critique of Paige that went viral. In footage published by Page Six, Shep claimed that Paige and Craig’s relationship was “a sham the whole time,” accusing the former couple of making “millions of dollars on reality TV’s back.” He particularly criticized Paige for breaking up with Craig on her podcast, implying the split was calculated for publicity when he pointedly wondered how many “more followers” Paige gained after the breakup. Shep didn’t stop there—during a game of “Shag, Marry, Kill” on “Watch What Happens Live,” he chose to “kill” Paige, making his disdain abundantly clear. These comments revealed not just Shep’s loyalty to his friend Craig but also hinted at deeper tensions and perspectives about authenticity within the reality television landscape, where personal relationships and business opportunities often become indistinguishable.
Craig Conover himself took a more diplomatic approach when addressing Shep’s comments. Speaking on SiriusXM’s “Jeff Lewis Live,” Craig revealed that while his assistant had informed him about the rant, he deliberately chose not to watch it, saying, “I purposely said, ‘I don’t want to see it.'” Craig expressed disappointment that the controversy had dragged his and Paige’s names back into the spotlight, explaining, “I’m bummed because it brought me and Paige’s name into it.” He emphasized that the outburst had “nothing to do with us” and noted that he personally had “nothing but nice things to say about her.” Craig’s measured response highlighted his desire to maintain peace and move forward rather than reignite old dramas, demonstrating a maturity that contrasted with Shep’s more emotional reaction to his friend’s past relationship.
Paige’s reaction to Shep’s viral tirade came through social media, where she displayed her characteristic wit rather than engaging in a heated exchange. When a fan account posted commentary about Shep’s claims regarding her increased social media following post-breakup, Paige simply commented, “I can lend him some if he needs it?” This clever response not only deflected the criticism with humor but also subtly highlighted her confidence and refusal to be drawn into unnecessary drama. Her approach to the situation reflected a certain poise in handling public criticism, choosing to rise above rather than escalate the situation—a strategy that likely resonated with her fans while potentially frustrating detractors who might have hoped for a more contentious response.
Both Craig and Paige have moved on romantically since their breakup, each finding new relationships that seem to better suit their current life stages. Us Weekly exclusively reported in July that Paige had begun dating Joe D’Amelio, with a source revealing, “Paige has been quietly dating Joe D’Amelio for a while now, and things between them are going really well.” The insider noted that while it took Paige some time to be ready for another relationship, she has found happiness with someone who is “calm, grounded and much more low-key, which is exactly what Paige needed.” This suggests that Paige has found a different kind of relationship dynamic than what she had with Craig, perhaps one less entangled with the pressures and public scrutiny that come with dating within the Bravo universe.
Craig similarly explored dating after his relationship with Paige ended, briefly seeing Natalie Buffett before they parted ways in the summer of 2024. Speaking candidly on “The Toast” podcast in June, Craig reflected on his post-breakup dating experience with refreshing honesty: “I was seeing a really, really nice girl. I just wasn’t ready to date but I didn’t know that. There’s no guidebook for this.” His admission about not being emotionally prepared for a new relationship demonstrates self-awareness and growth, suggesting that like Paige, Craig is processing the end of their relationship and determining what he needs in his next partnership. As both reality stars navigate their separate paths forward, the drama stirred by Shep’s comments serves as a reminder of how interconnected the Bravo community remains, and how past relationships continue to influence present interactions, even when the people involved are ready to move on.
