“Rodrigo Reyes from ‘Southern Charm’ Regrets JT Thomas’ Insult Towards Patricia Altschul”

Rodrigo Reyes is getting ready for the upcoming drama in the upcoming Season 10 of “Southern Charm.” As an interior designer and a big fan of senior Shih Tzus, he shared his insights with DECIDER over Zoom, giving fans a sneak peek of what’s to come. This includes addressing Craig Conover’s claim that JT Thomas disrespected Patricia Altschul by calling her a derogatory term.

In the Season 10 preview, the explosive allegation surfaced, but Thomas refuted it towards the end of the first episode. Even though Reyes wasn’t present during the alleged incident between his former castmates, he found it to be incredibly surprising. He expressed that making such a disrespectful comment, especially on camera, was a grave error. “It’s a truly foolish thing to say,” he remarked.

Reyes also shared his thoughts on the latest romantic entanglements unfolding in Charleston. He disclosed that there has been considerable speculation surrounding Taylor Ann Green’s new romance, with her ex-boyfriend Shep Rose becoming intertwined in the discussions and uncertainties.

“Like most exes swimming in the same pond, there’s going to be some splashing going on,” Reyes quipped.

Meanwhile, he had nothing but kind things to say about Austen Kroll‘s new lady, Audrey Pratt.

“It’s funny to say this, but she’s not as sassy as Austen. Always in a relationship, there needs to be one sassy ass queen. And for them, it’s Austen,” he joked, adding that they “adore” Pratt.

Reyes also opened up about his wedding plans, newbie (and Southern Hospitality alum) Salley Carson “making her rounds around town,” and a recent lunch date he had with Madison LeCroy and Luann de Lesseps. Check out the full interview below.

DECIDER: I am super excited to see that you’re back. How are you feeling about going into your sophomore season?

RODRIGO REYES: I mean, I feel good. I felt good going into filming, but then, there are moments where we have group events and people are drinking and you’re like, “Well, shit. How much did I drink at this event?” Without even drinking, you get caught up in moments and then all of the sudden I blackout within those moments. So I was like, “Oh, my God. I’m completely sober. What is happening? How did I just feel like I blinked, and what just happened two seconds ago?” So, my nerves are still kind of there. But it’s good when you’re doing a show like this where mostly everyone is friends. That’s kind of the easier side. But then again, you never know which friend is going to be a complete bitch. 

Craig was recently remodeling and expanding his home. Since you’re an interior designer, did he come to you for advice? What do you think of the finished product? 

At one point, we did kind of talk about some stuff in the process after last season. But he did a crazy amount of work in his backyard and he absolutely knocked it out of the park. His backyard is a complete retreat. It is phenomenal because going over there last season, it was in the works. I don’t even think there was a pool in yet. And the amount of work, the landscaping, the putting green, I mean, it looks really good. It looks really, really good. And I know he has Paige to help him with the interior side of things because Lord knows we know what she’s doing. We know that she knows what she’s doing. 

You recently got engaged! First, congratulations. Second, have you started any planning? Will we get to see a Southern Charm wedding in the future?

A wedding in the future? Yes. I just don’t know when exactly. We’re taking it one day at a time. I know it’s been like a few months since we got engaged. But I came back to Charleston, got back to reality and work. And now dealing with the show things. He and I both have pretty big families. I’m the middle of nine kids — a big Mexican family. And he also has a big family, lots of cousins, and they’re all very close. One person in his mom’s family gets married [and] everybody is there. There’s no question about it. Every single person is there. So I couldn’t imagine just having a wedding that involved family that didn’t include everybody. So that’s just another thing. And I was like, “Man, how do we figure out the logistics of all of that?” And I was like, “Everyone likes to eat and everyone likes to drink.” So I was like, “Damn.” I mean, they’re really going to be milking us. 

Yeah, that open bar.

I kind of joked about this. People Magazine interviewed me after we got engaged and I jokingly said that we’re going to do a cash bar. And I’m like, that was only a joke. I mean, only a joke. I would never do that. And more power to anyone that does that. But I just don’t think I could do that. I would never be able to live it down. From all my raging alcoholic friends, I would never be able to live it down. 

I want to get into all the Southern Charm drama. You really went to bat for Taylor Ann Green at last season’s reunion. Are we going to see more of that side of you this season?

This year, I spent a lot of time with Taylor, and she’s dealing with different drama issues. She has her issues with Shep and some newbies. I just try to be — for everybody — a friend to be there, be supportive. Like all friend groups, everyone talks. So we’re all playing telephone with each other at the same time. But I always have her back. All the girls, I have their back. So I feel like you’ll see that. There are some definite wild times. 

It’s no secret that Taylor is dating someone new. What are your thoughts on Gaston? And how would you describe Shep and Taylor’s dynamic this season?

I like Gaston. This season, you’ll see a lot of questions about her relationship, and Shep plays a part in the questioning. Like most exes swimming in the same pond, there’s going to be some splashing going on. I think that’s the nicest way to put it. That’s another thing. No one warns you or gives you a tutorial on how to navigate reality television while your ex who you have a very storied history with is right there back in the mix, in your business, when you don’t want them in your business. From my perspective, all I can do is be supportive to her and supportive to anyone else. If anyone needs me, I’ll be there because ultimately, I’m friends with everybody. I just want everyone to find some sort of peace and happiness. But I mean, if we get messy along the way, why not? If a couple of bitches are going to fight, fine. I’ll be seated for that. 

One person who won’t be there is Olivia Flowers. How did you feel about her exit this season? And how would you say the group dynamic felt without her?

In January, Madison had an event, and all the girls were there. Olivia was there. I love Olivia. We had a great time together. I was kind of sad when she didn’t return. I know for her, she has a lot of things going on, which is a good thing. She recently got engaged, which I think is incredible. I was a little disappointed that she didn’t come back because I truly, truly love Olivia and enjoyed her. I just felt like we could have used her at moments. But I think there were so many other things going on.

I think people would have liked to have seen Taylor and Olivia coming back together and working through the issues that they had. Everyone likes a reunion story coming together. People would have liked to have seen that. I know I would have liked to have seen that. I guess that’s something they navigate off camera. But I’m happy for her and what she’s accomplishing now. I think that’s great. I can’t wait to see what her wedding looks like because I’m sure it’s going to be spectacular. 

Speaking of people leaving, were you surprised when JT resigned from the show? And is there anything you can say about what might’ve led to his decision? 

I’m still just trying to understand what was going on there, because even when I have asked him directly what the situation is, it’s still very vague. I feel like at this point, I wish I had more information. To me, [it] was a complete shock because I didn’t see that happening. In my opinion, he liked being in the mix just as much as anybody else, if not any more. We all saw him at the reunion last year. He was Miss Sassy. So I was a little shocked. Hopefully, down the road, we can get some more clear answers about what’s really going on. Maybe it’s just a thing where he steps back for a moment and he figures it out and hopefully we can all watch him coming and telling us what the deal is.

In the flash forward at the end of the premiere episode, Craig accuses JT of calling Patricia a bitch. Did you hear him say that?

No, because I think that was something that was done with just a few people around. I wasn’t there for that. I think it was like just a couple of the guys out golfing. So I wasn’t there for that. And that’s completely shocking for that to be said, especially on camera. It sounds like a very foolish thing. It’s a fool’s mistake to say that. I guess we’ll have to see how that all plays out. It’s a mess.

On a bit of a lighter note, you and Madison are super close. What is your favorite thing about your friendship with her?

Honestly, she and I can laugh about almost anything. Recently, she had to go to New York to do some fittings, and she had asked Tyler and I to watch Karen, her Shih Tzu, which was absolutely adorable because we have two senior Shih Tzus. So then I have this puppy in our house with our other Shih Tzus, it was cute because Beau is this grumpy old man. Bella’s still, in her heart, she’s still young, so it’s fun to watch Karen and Bella playing. I’m just happy that we’re close enough friends that she trusts us to watch Karen and have a good time.

About a month ago, I was hanging out … this is so silly. I can’t believe I’m saying this. I was hanging out with Luann, Countess Luann. I took her out to lunch when she was here in town, and I called Madison and was like, “Come meet us.” And she’s like, “I’m on my way to the gym.” And I was like, “Well, work out and come meet us. Come on.” So she comes and meets up with us and before you know it, here I am, Madison, Luann, and myself and Luann singing “Feelin’ Jovani.” And I’m like, “What universe am I in that is this happening?” We just have a good time. That’s what I really like about my friendship with Madison, is being able to laugh, have a good time. There were moments where Tyler and I are at Madison’s house literally having — well, not me. It was more Tyler and Madison having a dance party. I’m just looking at them like, “You guys are insane. This is absolutely hilarious.” I wish that we could have seen a little more of that fun side of our friendship during the season. But I mean, I’m just happy that I know it exists. Those things I do cherish. 

I know you’re also close with Austen. What do you think of his new girlfriend? What can you say about Leva alleging that he was still running around town?

I absolutely love Audrey. We had brunch with them on Sunday. Audrey was in town. We absolutely adore her. She is the sweetest girl on the planet. This summer, we went to Mexico City together and just had a really good time. We first met her when we first met Shep’s girl last year. It’s been good from my perspective to see my friend maturing, finding somebody he’s absolutely compatible with. They are truly a good yin and yang for each other. It’s funny to say this, but she’s not as sassy as Austen. Always in a relationship, there needs to be one sassy ass queen. And for them, it’s Austen. But yeah, we adore her. We love spending time with her. We have a good time with her always. 

What was cringier – JT offering Austen the cane or Austen coming up with every variation of Pookie, his nickname for his new girlfriend?

Honestly, I think Pookie, even though that’s their ongoing nickname for each other. It’s “Pooks” and “Pookapotamus.” And I’m sure there’s more that I’m missing. Like “Pookagator.” I don’t know. Who knows? I mean, that’s cringey but it’s cute because it’s like they’re weird term of endearment for each other, which is cute. With the JT and Austen situation, I think that he was trying to, in that moment, humble himself down to try to actually offer an olive branch, so to speak, whether it be a gas station cane. I think the intentions were good in that moment. We got to wait and see how the rest of it plays out and how that was all perceived ultimately. That’s something I’m sure the viewers really want to jump into once we’re there. 

There’s obviously some tension between Shep and Craig and later on between Craig and Austen. How did you navigate the drama between all the boys? Did you find yourself getting involved at any point?

Just being an ear for them, being a sounding board for them. I’m pretty good at listening to them bitch. Some bitch more than others and some [are] a little more focused on…I mean, like Craig. Craig is very driven right now. Who can blame him? He’s crushing it right now. I mean, he’s handsome. His business is exploding. He has a gorgeous house, amazing backyard, beautiful girlfriend. Everyone is shifting and moving in different directions. And sometimes when you have friends that are in different positions in life, it’s not so much that the people aren’t happy for you, it’s just that maybe they’re not there and they can’t see that happiness and they interpret it in different ways. And I think that’s probably what we’ll see a lot more, is just navigating everyone’s feelings and emotions and trying to understand where people are coming from and how they’re living. 

There are some newbies, Salley and Molly. How did they fit in with the group?

Everyone’s known Molly for a long time. I’ve known Molly for a long time. I think it goes back to Charleston Fashion Week a million years ago. Charleston used to have a legitimate Fashion Week here. She’s just one of the funniest people. She’s a complete goofball. And I think people are going to really get to see just that weird, goofy side of her.

Salley, I didn’t really know other than I just know that she was making her rounds around town. She’s known around town and I just never met her. And then when I did meet her, we got on just fine. I think she’s very nice. I’ve hung out with her a few times since filming has wrapped. We do like Salley. I hope that people can find common ground just like everyone else and just really want everyone to ultimately get along because I’d like to go someplace [where] not every bitches fighting with each other, male or female. Because I’m like, “Wouldn’t that be nice?”

In a perfect world!

In a perfect world, that’s what we want, but that’s not what we’re getting. So, stay tuned for drama. 

Molly revealed her past with Craig in the first episode – and Craig said that Paige thought it was funny. Did Molly get along with Paige when she would visit?

From what I recall, my one interaction, I think everyone got on really well. I think all the girls wanted to sit down with Paige, especially the ones that hadn’t met her yet. Paige could kind of hold court at Craig’s house and get a lay of the land, so to speak, and take it all in. And I think that everyone got on.

What can you say about Salley’s connection to Taylor through both Gaston and Shep? How did they get along?

There’s actually another connection as well. I’m like “one, two…” but who’s counting? I think that’s a major point of drama. We’ll see how that unfolds, and just people having to deal with that reality. We live in a small town. The friend group is only so big. The dating pool is only so big in this town, too. So I’m glad I’m not swimming around with the rest of these fools fighting like a bunch of yahoos. But, I mean, hey, it’s going to be interesting to watch. Entertaining at the very least. 

What else can you tease about the rest of this season? Is there anything your excited for? Anything your dreading?

I’m dreading, perhaps being over-served by my own doing in the Bahamas. I’m excited about, at one point in the season, we have a birthday party for one of my dogs. It’s her 13th birthday party, and I try to use the occasion to bring awareness to senior dog rescue and any rescue, any animal rescue in general. It’s an issue that’s really important to my fiancée and I, because we are now on our second round of senior Shih Tzus, which again, I thought was always kind of interesting because I always loved the movie, Best In Show. And at the very end of Best In Show, the gay couple, they’re doing a photoshoot of Shih Tzus dressed up for Shih Tzu rescue. And he’s kind of like, “What Shih Tzus are you rescuing?” Now I know there are plenty of Shih Tzus that need rescuing. So if I can bring awareness to that and someone sees that older dogs have a lot of life left in them and they have a lot of love to give. If I can help anyone see that and maybe motivate them to reach out and seek a senior rescue, I would feel like a complete success. 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Southern Charm Season 10 premieres on Thursday, Dec. 5 on Bravo.