Naomie Olindo made her debut in Southern Charm season 3 as Craig Conover’s girlfriend, and fans quickly fell in love with the French beauty. Naomie and Craig took their relationship to the next level by moving in together during season 4. Unfortunately, their different goals and career paths had the two stars at odds with each other. Naomie was working at her parent’s restaurant while also going to school for her master’s degree. Meanwhile, Craig was spending his day sewing and gardening, much to Naomie’s frustration.
After almost three years together, Naomie and Craig broke up in 2017. The two continued to star alongside each other in Southern Charm and eventually managed to have an amicable relationship. In season 6, Naomie introduced viewers to her boyfriend Metul Shah, who was working as an anesthesiologist in Charleston at the time. Following season 6, Naomie announced she would be leaving Southern Charm and moving to New York City with Metul. Shortly after her move, she discovered the doctor had been cheating on her and hightailed it back to Charleston.
Fans will be glad to see Naomie back for Southern Charm season 8, where she opens up about how she lost herself in her relationship with Metul. In the season premiere, Naomie reveals that he often made her into a smaller version of herself, and viewers will be happy to see her as a strong, single woman again. In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Naomie opens up about her breakup, seeing Craig again, and what to expect from Southern Charm season 8.
You said in the Southern Charm season 8 premiere that you came back from your break up with Metul with your tail tucked between your legs and were starting over. What did starting over entail?
I had to find a new house, and I was really thankful that I had not sold my car yet, but I had to take inventory of my life and what I needed to work on to become a better version of myself. That included reaching out to Craig and apologizing for things I felt I did to him or said that were mean and needed to be apologized for and kind of setting up for a do-over to do things differently. There were a lot of things that I had done and said in previous seasons that were not really true to my essence, so kind of getting a do-over was a big motivation.
When you were talking to Venita Aspen about seeing Craig in Vegas, there seemed to be some residual feelings at that time. Did you have hope that you would rekindle your relationship with Craig?
No, I think that's sort of a misconception. I just saw a part of the episode and I was really surprised at how big of a deal that was made that we saw each other. I think to me and Craig---it wasn't as big of a deal as how it was made out to be. I think I heard the part where Katherine said, “She loves him,” and that’s not true. But it was more of a closure and comfort, like I know you and I trust you and it was brief. And we went our separate ways. There was no plan on either side to rekindle and get back together. I was really surprised to see people talking about that because to me it was a non-issue.
You were very tight-lipped about your meeting with Craig in Vegas, but there were so many other people that were talking about it. How did you feel about that?
I had no idea at the time that so many people were talking about it. It's not that I was necessarily tight-lipped. I just don't think it’s great form to go around and be like, “Oh guess who I hooked up with.” That's not something I would say normally. Then to say it filming is a whole other animal. I just really didn’t think it was a big deal.
How did you feel when Kathryn said in the premiere that maybe you would apologize to her for calling her out on the rumor about Cameron last season?
I sort of chuckled a little bit. I probably should have expected that. I didn’t think of it at the time but I probably should have seen that coming knowing Kathryn’s patterns. I probably should have known.
What was your reaction to Kathryn inviting you to her party?
I was surprised but I knew it probably wasn't going to be good because I knew where I stood with the situation. I know what’s true, and she also knows what’s true, which is why she was maybe a bit aggressive. I think I was surprised but hopeful that maybe it just meant we could be cordial with each other. We’re never gonna be friends, but you don't have to be friends with everyone. I just didn't expect her to blow up like that.
It seemed like when you walked into her party, she wanted you to say, “I want to talk to you, let's go to the side and have this conversation,” and you didn’t give her that. What did you think about her reaction?
When I walked in, I don't think you can see it on the show, but she looked me up and down, and it was very awkward. So immediately, I was like oh God, who walks into a party and the first thing you do when you see the host surrounded by people is, “We really should talk.” I think it was very fitting of Kathryn's personality.
During Kathryn’s party, it looked like that was the first time you ever met Paige face to face.
Yeah, that was!
How did you feel meeting her? It seemed like you had a very friendly interaction.
She was lovely! It wasn't awkward at all. She was super sweet. We ended up talking a little bit on the side. I don't know if they’re going to show that or not. But she was great. We got along very well, and I really like her.
Why do you think Kathryn was so upset about being “ignored” at her party? She expected everyone to come to her and discuss the past. She didn't like when you, Leva, and Venita were off to the side.
I have no idea what goes on up there. My best guess is that maybe she felt unseen by people and she didn’t get the attention she needed.
Do things resolve with her later on?
Yes, sort of. Because we’re going to be at the same parties, I have no problem being like, “Hey, how are you?" We don’t have to be friendly, but we don't have to scream at each other and I think I get a couple of “F*** you’s” throughout the season where I’m like, “Okay, here we go.” And then I think she stopped maybe in the last third and I didn't see her a lot so maybe that was a part of it, but I take a couple of lashings.
How do you feel about Craig’s sewing now?
I think it’s great. The sewing was never the issue. The issue was that he was lying about what he was doing and avoiding other responsibilities to sew. So I think that having something that you like doing that makes you happy and is productive to you and not detrimental to another area of your life is great. I think he’s found a lot of purpose with his pillows and his store and I think he’s doing really well so I'm fully supportive of that. I think finding purpose and having a consistent drive towards something that makes you happy is all I ever really wanted for him. So I'm very happy for him.
Southern Charm season 8 premieres Thursday, June 23 at 9 p.m. EST on Bravo.