Kelsea Ballerini, the talented coach from The Voice, recently opened up about her almost romantic connection with Craig Conover, a star from the reality series <em>Southern Charm</em>. This intriguing story dates back to her surprise appearance on Southern Charm Season 2, Episode 11 in 2015, where she participated in a charity event hosted by Patricia Altschul. During this memorable fundraiser, Ballerini placed a bid of $5,000 on a date with Craig. Even though it has been nearly a decade since this unexpected moment, Kelsea admits that the memory still lingers in her mind!
In a candid moment on Cosmopolitan?s ?Cheap Shots? game, the singer revealed a surprising detail: she was unaware that her appearance on the show was planned. ?Oh god, it haunts me forever,? Kelsea shared, reflecting on the experience. Initially, she believed she was just attending to perform and promote her music for a ?radio gig.? However, it turns out that her record label had orchestrated her participation in the bidding process. Despite winning the date, Kelsea and Craig never actually went out together, and she reflects that it was likely for the best.
?Looking Back, Everything Turned Out for the Best?
During her revelations, the singer disclosed that the date was subsequently re-auctioned by a radio station for charity, giving another individual the opportunity to connect with the Southern Charm star. Behind the camera, someone joked that Kelsea was probably ?better off,? subtly referencing Craig?s recent breakup with Paige DeSorbo. Kelsea laughed in agreement, stating, ?Yeah, everything is great as it turned out.? This lighthearted exchange highlighted her ability to reflect positively on the situation.
In December 2024, Southern Charm stars Paige and Craig announced their split after three years of dating. Now, Craig seems eager to embark on a new chapter in his love life. However, he has made it clear that he does not wish to navigate the dating world through apps. During a Galentine?s Day event at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, the reality star expressed that dating apps simply do not resonate with him. As detailed by PEOPLE, Craig prefers to meet potential partners in a more traditional and organic manner.
Craig Conover is Eager to Find Love the Old-Fashioned Way
According to Craig, downloading the exclusive dating app Raya helped him come to terms with his new single status. Despite this, he remains firm in his desire to meet someone ?out in a bar or in life? rather than through online platforms. The reality star emphasized that he can quickly gauge whether there is chemistry with someone he meets in person. He appreciates the fact that there is ?no pressure? when forming connections face-to-face, which contributes to a more authentic dating experience.
Nevertheless, Craig acknowledged that re-entering the dating scene has presented its own challenges after a long-term relationship. The Southern Charm star admitted that he has changed significantly since his time with Paige, stating, ?I?ve never been single as this person.? He expressed his desire to take his time to understand what he truly wants in a potential partner. Craig candidly shared that being single again feels ?scary,? but he remains optimistic, trusting that the right person will eventually come into his life. In the meantime, fans can catch The Voice Season 27 every Monday at 8:00 PM on NBC, with episodes available for streaming on Peacock.
