Austen Kroll feels “settled” and “happy” after filming season 10 of Southern Charm thanks in part to girlfriend Audrey Pratt.
“I think what changed are two things: therapy, and I’m dating somebody,” Austen, 37, exclusively told Us Weekly on Thursday, December 5, hours before the season premiere.
The reality star gushed over Audrey, whom he began seeing in December 2023, revealing, “Whether she knows it or not, [she] is a big part of my happiness and my inner peace.”
“She made me realize that not every relationship has to be tumultuous and hard,” he continued. “[She’s] very, very chill. And so that’s been a big part of my overall happiness.”
While Austen said Audrey is “not a cast member” Southern Charm, he confirmed fans will see her go on a date with him and meet his parents this season.
“In my opinion, she is not like me, let’s say. I’m at a dinner table and I’m like, ‘Listen to what happened to me today, everyone.’ And that’s not her,” Austen told Us of his partner. “She’s more of a one-on-one. But if you don’t like her, then I think it says more about you than it does about her.”
He called Audrey a “kind and real person,” which he added was “no dig [to] anyone else that I’ve dated” like ex Madison LeCroy.
Austen insisted that Audrey is “lovely” — and his ex-girlfriend Madison, 34, agrees. “She’s very sweet,” Madison exclusively told Us of Audrey in a separate interview on Wednesday, December 4.
She revealed that she and Austen “joke around because he’s like, ‘Madison, I think I found my Brett,’ and I was like, ‘OK, let’s not push it.’” (Brett Randle is Madison’s husband, whom she wed in November 2022.)
Austen — who dated Madison on and off for two years before calling it quits in December 2020 — explained to Us that he compared Audrey to Brett, 38, based on their demeanor.
“Madison told me [that] too. She was like, ‘Look man, Brett is very, he’s much more calm than me. He’s much more reserved.’ And Madison wants to be the center of attention and Brett’s like, ‘Fine, do it. I don’t have to be,’” Austen told Us with a laugh. “And Audrey, that is her.”
While Madison isn’t ready to declare Audrey as The One for Austen, she is happy the pair found each other. “I have nothing but good things to say about her,” she said, calling Audrey “more reserved.”
Madison teased that Audrey’s personality served her well during her Southern Charm debut. “She fit in well because she’s quiet,” she explained. “She’s playing it smart.”
Austen concluded that it was “crazy” for him to call someone his girlfriend after so many public highs and lows in his dating life. (Following his split from Madison, Austen dated costar Olivia Flowers for less than a year and later kissed Taylor Ann Green — which caused a lot of drama in season 9.)
“I haven’t called someone my girlfriend in a long time. So that was a shock to even say that,” he explained, adding that after meeting Audrey he knew he couldn’t “ignore” her or his “feeling” about their connection.
However, that doesn’t mean Austen is ready to put a ring on it just yet. “It’s an interesting thing, but we’re certainly not rushing anything and we’re just enjoying [it],” he teased. “She lives in Charlotte, [North Carolina], so she doesn’t live in Charleston, [South Carolina]. And that’s fine. It’s like a quick little drive. It’s nice.”
Southern Charm airs on Bravo Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.
With reporting by Christina Garibaldi
