On December 30, Paige DeSorbo announced her split from Craig Conover after three years of dating. Bravo fans loved the Summer House and Southern Charm stars as a couple. Predictably, the fanbase was devastated by the breakup news.
However, there’s another response to the news that’s been disappointing, but unfortunately not surprising. When she announced their breakup on the Giggly Squad podcast, Paige emphasized it was a mutual decision. However, she’s still getting all the blame.
Here’s why this reaction is disheartening, unfair, and uncalled for.
Paige DeSorbo already had to shut down cheating rumors after her split
At the time, Paige emphasized that no one did anything to cause the split. She even joked, “it almost is harder when no one’s done anything to be mad about.” However, almost immediately after her podcast episode, Paige had to shut down rumors that alleged the split was somehow her fault.
First, Up and Adam made a video alleging that Paige broke up with Craig because she caught wind that he was about to propose. In response, Paige wrote, “I’m obsessed this fan fiction.” That video was eventually taken down. However, the same creator made another TikTok. This time, alleging that Paige cheated on Craig. Once again, the Summer House fashionista had a sassy response, commenting, “See you in court.”
That didn’t stop the theory from gaining steam. Somehow, the rumor spread that she cheated with Saturday Night Live star Marcello Hernandez. I guess people mistook his viral SNL Domingo sketches for reality?
It doesn’t take a conspiracy theorist like Craig to notice a pattern here. In both videos, the rumors place the blame for the split solely on Paige. We’ve seen this happen a lot with celebrity couples. And with Bravo couples specifically. Just look at the breakup double standards on Vanderpump Rules. It’s a tired pattern that is, to be frank, a bit sexist.
Paige was always honest about their different goals
Another popular post-breakup take on their relationship is that Paige led Craig on. It didn’t help that the first Southern Charm episode after their breakup showed Craig freezing his sperm for future children.
However, it’s completely inaccurate to say that Paige led Craig on about this. She was always honest about not being ready for kids. Even on the episode, it was clear freezing his sperm was entirely Craig’s decision. Paige was shocked, baffled, and even a little grossed out by it. She called freezing his sperm “the craziest thing in the world.”
Many times over the years, we’ve watched these two discuss their very different visions for the future. In hindsight, it’s one of the signs they were headed for a split. From what Paige said on her podcast, they came to a mutual understanding. That’s a difficult thing to do. But it was a mature move for their best interests.
Paige has been nothing but complimentary to Craig
In the Giggly Squad podcast episode where she announced their breakup, Paige effusively gushed over Craig. “I love him, I think he loves me,” she said, adding that she hopes they can stay friends despite splitting up.
Elsewhere on the podcast, she said, “I have so much love and respect for Craig.” Paige also called her ex “one of the best people I have ever met in my entire life.” She repeatedly emphasized that Craig was the best boyfriend she’s ever dated. “He was a great boyfriend, and he did everything correct, and he never made me feel insecure or anything like that,” she said.
The Summer House favorite continued, “I will remain the biggest fan of him and want the best for him and he truly will get the best because he is the best.”
Paige made it clear that the two ended on good terms. That may not be as exciting as a major cheating scandal. But if a mutual decision is how things ended, it’s silly to try to force one party into the villain role. In Paige’s own words, it becomes fan fiction.
Paige and Craig changed over the years, and that’s okay
One of the main Southern Charm storylines this season is how much Craig has changed. While he used to be all about partying, work is Craig’s priority now. Which is why it’s odd that he told Paige she can’t be all about work in the Summer House Season 9 trailer. But I digress.
As Paige said on her podcast, she was in her late 20s when they began dating. She’s 32 years old now, while Craig is 35. Lots of people change in their 30s.
As Paige herself put it, “Your 30s … I feel like are very transformative. And you change a lot and you grow a lot. Him as well.” This is a common experience, both on reality tv and in real life. And there’s nothing villainous about that.
