“Southern Charm” season 11 has a new face — and she wasted no time making an impression. Charleston newcomer Charley Manley arrived on the show and immediately stirred up tension among cast members, particularly her close friend Salley Carson and star Craig Conover.
Manley’s first big moment came during the season’s singles beach bash, where Craig took notice of her right away. Even though Salley had expressed interest in Craig, Charley wasn’t shy about letting the guys come to her. “Honestly, my approach to today is just to be approached,” she quipped during the event. “I’m not approaching anybody.”
As the group played games, shared drinks, and swam, Charley and Craig’s chemistry became hard to ignore. Salley wasn’t pleased and accused Charley of flirting with the founder of Sewing Down South. Charley disputed that she was after Craig at all, but the moment signaled the beginning of a storyline that appears set to unfold throughout the season.
The season 11 trailer teased more romantic complications and what Bravo calls a “jealous rivalry” brewing between the friends. With Craig at the center, expectations for drama are high.
Charley Manley’s Role in the ‘Southern Charm’ Cast
According to BravoTV.com, Charley moved from a small town to Charleston to chase her career in the city’s art scene. Bravo describes her as a “former pageant queen who moved to Charleston to work in the city’s thriving art scene. Her beauty, grace, and charm immediately turn the heads of every eligible bachelor in town.”
Charley explained her history with Salley in the November 26 episode, saying the two bonded during breakups. “We met when our exes were best friends,” Salley shared. “She was going through a breakup, and I was going through a breakup. And we got really, really close.”
Charley confirmed just how important that friendship has been. “She helped me get over my breakup, seriously,” Charley said to producers. “Like, I don’t think that I would be over my breakup without her. She got me out of the house and out of my shell.”
The pair even call themselves each other’s wingwoman. “She’s a flirt; I’m a flirt,” Charley said. “We love flirting with everybody. It’s fun.”
Charley Already Has History With Craig Conover
Charley isn’t brand-new to the “Southern Charm” group either. Shep Rose previously slid into her DMs after the two met at a bar opening. “It’s a little, you know, like you’re texting your dad a little bit,” Charley joked about turning Shep down. “Every time he asks me on a date, I just never respond.”
Craig shared a surprising connection as well. While talking to Kory Keefer at the party, he revealed he was once a judge when Charley competed in the Miss South Carolina pageant. “I picked her to win, and she got third,” he said. Charley’s response? “I love that you picked me. That’s so nice.”
Beyond the show, Charley works as a gallery associate and art consultant at the Meyer Vogl Gallery in Charleston. She’s also a social media influencer and models and promotes brands across Instagram and TikTok.
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Who Is Charley Manley? ‘Southern Charm’ Star’s Career, History With the Cast, and Relationship Status