Southern Charm’s Salley Carson and Austen Kroll Hint at a Game-Changing New Season

Charleston is heating up again. Salley Carson and Austen Kroll are out here teasing shake-ups, dodging relationship labels, and selling a Fireball fanny pack for the glory of the dad bod. Yes, all of that is real.

The friend drama ( and what they actually said)

Salley, 31, did not mince words in a new interview tied to her and Austen's Fireball promo. She says some social circles are reshuffling this season — including hers.

'Some friendships, I feel like, are lost... A couple friendships have been lost on my side.'

Austen, 38, immediately joked she was going to get in trouble for dropping hints. Salley reminded him she did not name names. He also gave the broader context: a lot of the long-timers are getting older, settling down a bit, and what lights people up now is not necessarily what did five years ago. Translation: expect fewer keg stands, more consequences.

So where do Salley and Austen actually stand?

Last season followed the two trying to figure out if they were just friends or something more. That storyline is not done. They are playing coy about their current status, but they confirmed they are filming season 12 and we will see their dynamic unfold on camera. Austen says they have a blast together — including while shooting this Fireball thing — and the photos from it are apparently ridiculous in the best way.

The Fireball 'save the dad bod' campaign (yes, with a fanny pack)

Just in time for Father's Day, the pair teamed with Fireball on a cheeky PSA-style push to 'save the dad bod.' If you are 21 or older and feel called to the cause, you can buy a Fireball 'dad bod' whisky fanny pack online starting Friday, May 22, at 10 a.m. ET. Salley's reasoning for signing on is very on brand: she loves dad bods, full stop. Austen called it a dream partnership and joked they are making sure dad bods do not go extinct — and that attractive women like Salley are, in fact, into them. Consider the message delivered.

What to expect and where to watch

• Season 12 is currently filming; expect some friendships to fracture and for priorities to look different for the vets.
• Salley and Austen's relationship status stays murky for now; the new season will spell it out.
• The Fireball 'dad bod' whisky fanny pack drops online Friday, May 22, at 10 a.m. ET, for fans 21+.
• Southern Charm is streaming now on Peacock; season 12 does not have a premiere date yet.