Southern Charm is all about hooking up and hanging out. The cast seems to do little else aside from going to restaurants serving up cholesterol-laden food, drink, and gossip. And when the cast is not drinking or gossiping, they are looking for love. Often in all the wrong places. Like in a threesome video ala Austen Kroll. Or with men old enough to be their fathers, like Kathryn Dennis. Or at bar time with the sorority girl of the moment–yes, that would be you, Shep Rose!
Southern Charm star Naomie Olindo, who was finally added as a full-time cast member this season, has also been a Charmer looking for love. She first joined the show as the girlfriend of Craig Conover. As Craig and Naomie were clearly ill-suited for one another, it was no surprise that their relationship imploded after a few years. Since splitting with Craig, Naomie has moved on to a serious relationship with Dr. Metul Shah. Naomie recently shared her thoughts about Metul, their future–and how Craig is reacting to her being in a new relationship.
Naomie told Entertainment Tonight that her relationship with Metul is “so normal, stable and nice. He’s very, very supportive.” Don’t say that too loud, Naomie. This is your fourth season on Southern Charm. You should know by now that nice and normal don’t make for good storylines. Kathryn didn’t become a breakout star with a $6,600 a month rental home–and a Rolls Royce–by being nice and normal!
What does Metul think about being on Southern Charm? Naomie admits, “This is really not his thing. He doesn’t even watch reality TV.” Which might be because unlike most of the other male Charmers, he probably doesn’t have the time. Metul has a real job as an anesthesiologist. Which involves a schedule, responsibility and technical skills other than doing shots. See Craig, Austen and Shep for reference.
Naomie knows from her past experience with Craig that opening up your life on camera can be tricky. She explains, “Putting your relationship on TV can be very toxic and it’s very scary, because it opens up criticism to other people, and people can just say whatever.” True, but those are the very same people who allow you to have a paycheck, Naomie. Be grateful for those critical, toxic people–some people might call them fans!
RELATED: Naomie Olindo Defends Cameran Eubanks Calling Her Boyfriend “Exotic”
Having a game plan going into filming seems to have been the trick to acclimating Metul to the show. Naomie says, “Metul and I had a really good understanding before of how things were going to be, and how we were going to take it if anything was criticized, but he’s got very thick skin, too.” She also reveals that filming helped her realize that Metul is “the one” for her, at least partly because they were able to survive a season of filming together.
Still, you have to wonder what it was like for Naomie to film with both Craig and her new boyfriend. Naomie shared with Entertainment Tonight, “I went into the season with Metul thinking everything was fine with Craig. We’re friends, we saw each other out all summer, he would shake Metul’s hand, everything was fine.”
Apparently, that goodwill from Craig didn’t last. Naomie dishes, “And then some things came out that Craig had said about me and about Metul that just didn’t add up to how he acted in front of us to our faces, and so that was kind of difficult to deal with.” And let’s hope it was all caught on camera!
RELATED: Southern Charm Star Craig Conover Said He Had Depression After Breakup With Naomie Olindo
Naomie claims to be understanding of Craig’s feelings in the matter, however–which might be a first for her! She says, “There was a time when I was happy [with Craig]. That time is over and I’m with somebody who makes me feel very balanced and just very good and, you know, everything just feels kind of right right now, and I think it might have been hard for Craig to see that, and I tried not to rub it in his face or anything like that.” As Naomie used to enjoy rubbing things like shame and guilt in Craig’s face, maybe true love really has softened her!
Although Naomie feels secure in her relationship with Metul, she isn’t rushing things. She states, “I don’t think [we’ll be engaged] anytime soon. He’s still in his residency, and he still has things he wants to accomplish. I’m in no rush. I just know I want to be with him.” Still, an engagement storyline could up your status and secure your position–at least think about it, Naomie!
RELATED: Cameran Eubanks & Naomie Olindo Defend New Southern Charm Cast Member Eliza Limehouse After Backlash From Viewers
TELL US-WHAT DO YOU THINK OF NAOMIE’S NEW BOYFRIEND? HAS CRAIG MOVED ON FROM NAOMIE?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]
