Following months of speculation, Craig Conover is speaking out for the first time about his breakup with Paige DeSorbo. Addressing the split via his Instagram Story on January 7, the 35-year-old reality star expressed his initial shock and ongoing process of coming to terms with the change. “Hey everyone, I figured it’s time to check in,” Conover began. “Sorry for the delay. This was all very unexpected, but I’ve got to start living again, whatever that looks like.” He added, “Gratitude will get you through this, and with time, clarity will come. I’m trying to take all the advice to heart.”
Conover went on to reveal that the breakup occurred just before the holidays, leaving him stunned. He acknowledged the reality of relationships, stating, “It takes two people to make it work, and you can’t control how others behave, just how you react.” He asked for kindness toward both him and Paige, urging fans to show understanding during this difficult time.
Still processing the breakup, Conover reflected on the three-year relationship, which he described as having been with his “best friend.” He admitted, “It’s tough when you talk to someone every day, and then they’re just gone. It’s normal to take time to process it all.” Conover also expressed gratitude for the support he’s received, saying, “I appreciate all the kind messages. Life goes on, and I’ve got to take my own advice: no one ever comes out of a breakup worse off. I have to trust that everything happens for a reason.”
Paige DeSorbo, 32, made the announcement about the breakup during the December 30 episode of her podcast, Giggly Squad, co-hosted with Hannah Berner. “Craig and I have decided to no longer be together,” she shared. “I love him, and I think he loves me. We’re both mature enough to express our feelings and be honest about what we want in the future.” DeSorbo explained that their split was amicable, adding that the decision was made with mutual respect and understanding.
Despite the breakup, DeSorbo expressed admiration for Conover, calling him “one of the best people” she’s ever met. “I’ll always be his biggest fan,” she said. “He deserves the best, and he’ll get the best because he is the best. This decision was right for both of us.”
Earlier, Conover had dismissed rumors of a split before the holidays. In a December 9 interview with E! News, he had firmly stated, “No, Paige and I are not broken up. We’re still together.” The pair, who met while filming Winter House in 2021, went public with their relationship at the wedding of Bravo stars Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula in September of that year. Throughout their time together, they navigated a long-distance relationship with DeSorbo based in New York City and Conover in Charleston, South Carolina.
DeSorbo also addressed rumors surrounding their breakup, including speculation that Bravo had instructed her to delay the announcement. “No one can tell me what to do,” she clarified, emphasizing that the rumors about the breakup being a publicity stunt were unfounded. “We’ve dealt with these rumors throughout our relationship, but I didn’t want to leave my listeners out of the loop.”
The Summer House star also explained that, despite the public interest, she and Conover opted to keep their breakup private for a while. “When we did break up, we didn’t rush to social media or the podcast,” DeSorbo said. “We needed some time to process it with our families and friends in private.”
