Bravo's Southern Charm season 8 will air in less than a month, and fans are excited to see their messy friend group once more, even if it has some changes. After an explosive season 7 reunion, fan-favorite Madison LeCroy has been demoted from a full-time cast member to "friend of," leaving fans with many questions. Why has this happened, and what does this mean for Madison's future on the show?
Relationships on many of Bravo's reality TV shows have always been dramatic, but few have reached the level of exhaustion as Madison's and Austen Kroll's. Since meeting in January 2018, the couple showed the highs and lows of their relationship on Southern Charm. Before 2020, the couple had already broken up and reconciled multiple times. Ultimately, their relationship came to an end during the COVID-19 pandemic. Showcased on Southern Charm season 7, the two fought about the best way to handle the pandemic, as Madison wanted to quarantine while Austen didn't. In December of 2020, Madison confirmed that she wasn't with Austen and that their relationship was over for good.
In October 2021, Madison surprised fans once more with big news: she was engaged to her new boyfriend, Brett Randle. Before the announcement, the hairdresser had kept quiet about her new beau and had only mentioned his name publicly shortly before her engagement. Her want of privacy for her fiancé and her son also extended to the filming of Southern Charm season 7. "My fiancé will not be on Southern Charm," Madison said during an Instagram live. "[...]I want this to work. I think that keeping that private was the best decision that I made,” Madison added (per Reality Blurb).
However, this was not Madison's first relationship after Austen. During the time between her break-up with Austen and her engagement to Brett, she was involved in a few high-profile relationships. In late December 2020, Madison began a relationship with Jay Cutler, a former NFL player, after reports of his ex-wife, Kristin Cavallari, allegedly dating Austen. While this next relationship was never confirmed, following the first part of the Southern Charm season 7 reunion, there was a rumor that Madison had an affair with Alex Rodriguez when he was engaged to Jennifer Lopez.
While Madison's new relationship with Brett means an end to any future turbulent relationships, it also may mean the end of her full-time role on Southern Charm. Madison will only be a "friend of" during Southern Charm season 8 due to her bi-coastal living and focus on planning her upcoming wedding, which will not be shown on the Bravo show. Rumors are already circling within fan communities that this will be Madison's last season on Southern Charm. "I watched one of her lives a couple weeks ago and it sounded like this season about to air will be her last... Her fiancé doesn’t want anything to do with the show and Hudson doesn’t want to film anymore either," Reddit user bayoubaby91 commented. "Probably the healthiest move on her part," a deleted user replied.
Though Madison's demotion will leave a noticeable gap in Southern Charm, the show's upcoming season still promises drama. With Southern Charm season 8 recently released trailer showing the return of cast member Naomie Olindo and fights between best friends, season 8 will hopefully be able to rise above the loss of self-made villain and fan-favorite Madison. Bravo's Southern Charm season 8 will air on June 23.
Sources: Madison LeCroy/ Instagram Reality Blurb, bayoubaby91/Reddit, deleted user/Reddit