Salley Carson is speaking out in defense of her Southern Charm co-star Austen Kroll following his uncomfortable appearance on The Viall Files podcast.
The Podcast Backlash
In January 2025, Kroll joined Nick Viall and his wife Natalie Joy on their podcast. During the conversation, the hosts asked him about his late sister, a deeply personal subject. The question sparked immediate backlash, with fans and former Southern Charm cast member Cameron Eubanks demanding a public apology. While Viall and Joy faced criticism for crossing a line, they have remained largely silent publicly. Behind the scenes, however, Carson says there has been some movement.
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Salley Carson Speaks Out
Carson appeared on SiriusXM’s Page Six Radio on February 10, where she shared her reaction to the interview.
“It honestly kind of broke my heart for him,” Carson said. “Watching it back, I called him and made sure he was okay because I’m like, I am so sorry. That must have been really hard. It also just came out of nowhere.”
She added that while Viall and Joy did apologize privately to Kroll, she believes more should have been done. “They definitely did apologize to Austen, but I think that it needed to be a lot bigger than that. I’m kind of like, are y’all not wanting to apologize because you don’t really want to admit that it was wrong?”
What’s Next for Austen Kroll
Despite the controversy, The Viall Files has continued without addressing the incident further. Kroll, meanwhile, has remained focused on his role in Southern Charm. The Bravo series airs Wednesdays at 9/8c and streams the following day on Peacock. Fans continue to rally around Kroll, praising Carson for her support and empathy during a difficult moment.
A Reality TV Family
Carson’s comments highlight the close-knit nature of the Southern Charm cast, who often step in to support one another during personal challenges. For Kroll, the incident was a reminder of the sensitivity required when discussing grief in public forums. Whether Viall and Joy will issue a broader apology remains to be seen, but Carson’s words have reignited the conversation about accountability in reality TV and podcast culture.
