“Southern Charm” heartthrob Craig Conover has kept fans guessing about his love life since the Bravo series debuted in 2013. From flirty friendships to serious romances, the 36-year-old Charleston native’s dating life has regularly made headlines, including the recent confirmation of his new girlfriend, Natalie Buffett. Here’s a rundown of his romantic past, present, and everything in between.
‘Southern Charm’ Star Craig Conover’s Early Bravo Romances
Conover’s dating saga kicked off way back in “Southern Charm” season 1 when he flirted with co-star Kathryn Dennis, but landed in the friend zone. By season 3 in 2016, he had found love with his College of Charleston classmate Naomi Olindo.
She joined the cast as his girlfriend that year, and in season 4 they shacked up. But their romance started to unravel after less than three years. They clashed over everything from his sewing obsession to bigger life goals, and they eventually split.
However, a Vegas hookup in 2021 stirred up drama in the early days of his next relationship. In June 2022, Olindo explained to Us Weekly that it was “just a comfort thing” that was “very temporary.”
From Natalie Hegnauer to Kristin Cavallari and Paige DeSorbo
That next relationship was with Natalie Hegnauer, who Conover introduced on “Southern Charm” in December 2020. They had met earlier that year in Aspen, and he fell hard and fast.
“I’m pretty sure I love this girl, and I haven’t had this feeling since Naomie,” Conover gushed at the time.
But by May 2021, he confirmed on his “Pillows & Beer” podcast that they had called it quits. Just weeks later, rumors about Kristin Cavallari started to swirl, sparked by a supposed love triangle with his co-star Austen Kroll.
Cavallari downplayed it at the time. But in September 2023 on “Watch What Happens Live,” she admitted, “I may have been drunk one night and kissed Craig.”
Enter Paige DeSorbo in September 2021. The “Summer House” star (who lives in New York) and Conover went public with their relationship at a co-star’s wedding. They dated for three years despite the Charleston-NYC distance.
However, they broke up in December 2024 — a split that was detailed in Southern Charm’s season 10 finale, where it was revealed that Conover’s ring-buying dreams clashed with DeSorbo’s reluctance to relocate.
Natalie Buffett—Craig Conover’s Latest Chapter
Cue 27-year-old influencer Natalie Buffett, Conover’s newest confirmed flame. In a March 2025 appearance on WWHL, he teased a “special someone,” and explained that he’d been “reminded that the universe works in crazy ways” and “everything happens for a reason.”
Not long after, it was confirmed that the “mystery woman” was the OxeFit content director who was previously linked to NFL’s Dak Prescott and MLB’s Jack Flaherty.
At nearly 100K Instagram followers, Buffett’s a pro at beachside posing, but her civil engineering degree from Southern Methodist University hints at brains behind the beauty. Conover appears to be smitten, and fans are already speculating about her “Southern Charm” cameo potential.
“Southern Charm” airs Thursday nights on Bravo, with new episodes available for streaming on Peacock the next day.
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Craig Conover’s Complete Dating History, Including His Latest Natalie Buffet