Austen Kroll says he and Audrey Pratt parted ways after long-distance struggles

Austen Kroll has officially turned the page to a new chapter in his love life, and he’s opening up about it with honesty rather than fanfare.

After months of trying to keep a long-distance romance alive with Audrey Pratt, the Southern Charm star says the miles finally became too heavy to carry, and their relationship came to an end because of it.

Instead of hiding behind vague statements or speculation, Austen addressed the split head-on, speaking candidly about the emotional strain, the constant travel, and how distance quietly reshaped their connection.

Let’s unpack everything behind this breakup and what it could mean for Austen Kroll’s future.

A Relationship That Started with Promise

Austen Kroll and Audrey Pratt seemed like an unlikely match that actually worked. The Southern Charm star met the Charlotte resident in the summer of 2023 at a restaurant. What started as a chance encounter quickly blossomed into something real.

For the first time in years, Austen appeared ready to commit. The couple officially began dating in December 2023. His costars noticed the change in him immediately. This wasn’t the commitment-phobic Austen they had known for years on the show.

He admitted that, typically, his move was to avoid defining relationships. But with Audrey, he stepped up and said they should make things official.

Audrey made her reality TV debut during Season 10 of Southern Charm. Everything appeared to be moving in the right direction. But beneath the surface, challenges were quietly building that would eventually pull them apart.

When Reality TV Made Everything Harder

Filming Southern Charm Season 11 brought their private relationship struggles into public view. Austen opened up about how outside opinions from his costars complicated everything.

He told E!, “I just have to talk out this with family and friends. You have to hear the outside noice from friends, which is what makes it hardest on a TV show because unwanted opinions and things start to seep in.”

The pressure intensified when Craig Conover and Shep Rose brought up cheating rumors. Austen vehemently denied these allegations. He called the gossip extremely disappointing, especially coming from Craig. He felt betrayed that his friend would repeat hearsay about him publicly on camera.

The environment made normal couple challenges exponentially harder. When your relationship troubles become entertainment fodder, it adds unbearable strain. What might have been private conversations became public drama.

The trailer showed them having lunch, where he opened up about his struggles. Madison told him she was his third wheel in a recent interview. That level of scrutiny proved too much.

The Long Distance Reality That Tested Them

Distance became the couple’s greatest obstacle from day one. Austen lived in Charleston, South Carolina while Audrey remained in Charlotte, North Carolina. The three-hour drive between them seemed manageable at first. They made sure to see each other weekly whenever possible.

Austen confirmed at BravoCon 2025 that “I’ve been dating a girl—when the season starts—for a year and change and I’m in it.” The question of what comes next naturally arose between them. Long distance was fine for dating, but what about the future?

Austen told in December 2024 that Audrey planned to stay in Charlotte for another year. He insisted there was no rush and no pressure on either of them. He even mentioned needing about three years before considering an engagement. Looking back, those comments hinted at underlying uncertainty.

The reality was that neither wanted to uproot their lives immediately. Audrey had her career and life established in Charlotte. Austen had his business and filming commitments in Charleston. Eventually, someone would need to make a sacrifice.

What Austen Learned from This Relationship

This relationship marked a turning point in Austen’s personal growth journey. He had been working with a therapist on commitment issues. Meeting Audrey pushed him to finally embrace what he called the big C word. For once, he wasn’t running from commitment.

Austen said that long talks with his therapist helped him realize something, “I realized commitment is exactly what I was ready for upon meeting the right person. And I met the right person and couldn’t ignore it, to be honest.” That mindset represented real progress for someone known for avoiding labels.

The relationship showed him what stability could feel like. He often praised Audrey for being go with the flow and steady. After years of tumultuous relationships filled with drama, this was refreshingly different.

A New Chapter for the Southern Charm Star

Austen is entering a new phase of his life as a single man in his late thirties. He’s dealt with heartbreak before, but this one feels different. This wasn’t about drama or cheating or explosive fights. This was about two people who cared for each other, unable to bridge a geographical divide.

The experience will likely shape how he approaches future relationships. He proved to himself that he can commit when he finds someone worth committing to. Now he knows what he’s capable of. The question is whether he’ll find someone who checks all the boxes and lives in the right city.

His friendship dynamics are also shifting on the show. The Season 11 trailer shows tension between him, Craig, and Shep over various issues. Austen is navigating multiple relationship challenges, both romantic and platonic.

One thing is certain. Austen won’t be alone for long. His costars and fans have always noted his appeal and charm. When he’s ready to date again, there will be no shortage of interested parties. For now, he seems content to focus on himself and let the future unfold naturally.

TL;DR

• Austen Kroll confirmed his split from Audrey Pratt at BravoCon 2025 after nearly two years together.
• The couple struggled with long distance between Charleston and Charlotte from the start.
• Filming Southern Charm Season 11 intensified pressure with unwanted opinions from costars seeping in.
• The breakup was drama-free with no explosive fight or betrayal.
• The split marks a growth moment for Austen who overcame commitment issues for this relationship.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.