As they say in the south, mind your biscuits and life will be gravy but luckily for hungry viewers, the cast of “Southern Charm” do no such thing.
Season 8 of the beloved reality show brings us another look at the denizens of Charleston, SC as they mate with, and hate on, one another under the blessed oculus of Bravo. The money might be old in the south but the drama is fresh y’all.
Leva Bonaparte, Craig Conover, Kathryn Dennis, Austen Kroll, Madison LeCroy, and Shep Rose are returning for Season 8 and will be joined by Olivia Flowers, Marcie Hobbs, and Chleb Ravenell, as well as Venita Aspen, Taylor Ann Green, and Naomie Olindo.
With a fleet of new faces, a lot of floral prints, a show down of exes and the promise of fisticuffs, season 8 is primed to be a banger.
To better understand the lowly antics of these low country folks we are taking a look at the zodiac signs and compatibility of current cast members and charmers of yore. Read on to learn more.
ARIES (March 21 – April 19)
Patricia Altschul
Southern bred spitfire Patricia Altschul, she of the acid tongue and the enviable side part was born April 14, making her a fiery Aries sun. Aries is the natural domain of the diva with stars like Diana Ross, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin and Elton John all falling under the sign of the ram. Ms Pat fits well among the ranks. So majestic is this woman’s kaftan collection, so savage is her commentary that fellow Aries diva and mother monster herself Lady Gaga was compelled to Tweet, “Patricia on #SouthernCharm, like lookin’ in the damn mirror. Cheers queen.”
TAURUS (April 20 – May 20)
Leva Bonaparte
Bull queen Leva Bonaparte was born into being on May 3. Taurus is the gourmand of the zodiac with their favorite condiment being “more.” It is thus utterly fitting that Bonaparte runs a slew of acclaimed restaurants. As a fixed earth sign, Taureans are known for holding ground and speaking their minds, two blessed hallmarks of Bonaparte whose season seven catchphrase was “shut the f**k up.” Commanding others to be better and do better, Leva is an apex bull. She’s also a self-proclaimed grudge holder who unfollowed all of her cast mates, a very Taurean tactic. “I’m the one in the group that has a hard time forgiving,” she explained to Showbiz Cheat Sheet. “I will say that. The rest of them seem to be a little bit willy nilly. But I take a long time. If I’m hurt, it’s going to have to take a genuine, really genuine meet-up of minds to get through it.”
Olivia Flowers
Taureans are comfort minded and thrift oriented so it tracks that Olivia Flowers, born April 27, would find herself living back at home with her prim but party ready parents. Described as “low key” by suitor Austen Kroll, Flowers kept her composure and queenly demeanor when Kroll thrust her into a juggernaut of ex energy at Kathryn Dennis’s birthday soiree. Also by all accounts our girl likes nachos and working out, a balancing of indulgence and exertion that all bulls seek to find.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 20)
Austen Kroll
Beer slinging Gemini Austen Kroll was born June 16. Geminis are known for their restless minds and loose tongues, the latter being the reason Craig Canover distanced himself from his one time bestie. Tempers flared when Kroll, who called himself Canover’s brother was left in the dark when Canover slept with ex Naomi Olindo. Geminis are adept at wielding and weaponizing words and information and Kroll is no exception. A natural salesman he is the driving force behind Trop Hop beer and he charmingly referred to his ex Madison LaCroy as a “f–king Medusa.” I’d take that as a compliment, sis. The duplicitous nature of this mutable 321 air sign was on full display in his two timing during his tenure on “Winter House.” Maybe the earthly influence of confirmed Taurus and rumored girlfriend Olivia Flowers will encourage Kroll to root down and lighten up, but no guarantees my dudes.
Whitney Sudler-Smith
Model bedding, mother loving Whitney Sudler-Smith was born June 2 making him a dynamic Gemini sun. Geminis are ruled by Mercury, planet of communication and exchange and true to form, Sudler-Smith is not just a cast member on “Southern Charm” but the mastermind behind the series. Originally conceived as a docu-series about Thomas Ravanel, the show grew, under Sudler-Smith’s svengali eye, into the beguiling mix of trash and treasure we know and love today. Fickle in love and friendships, it tracks that a Gemini like Sudler-Smith would volley in allegiance to and affection for his cast mates.
CANCER (June 21 – July 22)
John Pringle
Relative newcomer and unrepentant hot dad John Pringle was born July 6, making him a complicated Cancer sun. Trust me folks, that beard and party boy vibe belies a deep ache, look at that dudes eyes, he’s one Pixar scene away from losing it. Cancer rules the fourth house of home and ancestry and Cancer parents feel deeply and love hard. Nostalgic to the hilt, they hold on to what they have and the people they’ve shared pivotal moments with. This is expressed in Pringle’s tight knit relationships with his sister, his ex-wife and his former fraternity brother, Shep Rose. While they can come across as aloof or even defiant, an authentic appeal to a Cancer’s emotions is a sure fire way to soften them; we see this trajectory in Pringle’s evolving relationship with Austen Kroll, while the pair got off to a rocky start, when Pringle perceived that Kroll was being victimized in his relationship with Madison LeCroy, he pivoted to a supportive role. Now the two share a trainer and routinely work out together. Bro bonds abound.
LEO (July 23 – August 22)
Kathryn Dennis
Queen Kathryn Dennis was born August 5, making her, in a surprise to absolutely no one, a Leo sun. Leos are a proud and fierce people who make an impression, for better or worse, on everyone they meet and are absolutely not above throwing themselves a themed birthday party. In Dennis’s case that theme was “Great Katsby and her desires were specific, “I want glitz,” she said during an episode of “Souther Charm.” “I want luxury, I want feathers.” And a show down and a dramatic exit, always a dramatic exit. Claws and sequins aside, Leos really shine when they come correct in support of an underdog or a slandered woman, a position Kathryn assumed when she defended Madison LaCroy from the slings and arrows of Craig Conover’s claims that the latter was “a trash can” on the season 7 reunion. Leos get a thorn in their paws when their intentions or integrity is questioned and often struggle to take accountability for their missteps, a dynamic that played out when Dennis was under fire over allegations of internal bias and racist DM’S.
Naomie Olindo
Born August 4 and back in town with a broken heart is Leo Naomi Olindo. In terms of the physical body, Leo rules the heart and natives are often ruled by theirs. We see this tendency in Olindo who was willing to concede much of herself in pursuit of meeting the expectations of her philandering Gemini douche lord of a former flame, Metul Shah. In addition to Shah, our girl counts Aquarius cast mate Craig Conover as an ex. In the future and as she moves forward in life and love, Olinda would do well to steer clear of air signs and find herself a fire sign to warm her or an earth king to ground her.
Chleb Ravenell
Charleston native Chleb Ravenell was born July 26, making him a whole lot of Leo. Well dressed, well mannered and drawn to glamorous women and high drama like a moth to a proverbial flame, Chleb is a text book lion. Former girlfriend Kathryn Dennis praised Ravenell’s “good heart” and we as a viewing audience applaud his willingness to accessorize for his woman and his admiration for Kathryn’s ability to command a room.
Thomas Ravenel
Notorious for his bad habits and abominable behavior, law suit fielding, cocaine sniffing, lady berating Thomas Ravenel was born August 11, making him a Leo sun. Leo rules the fifth house of play, creativity and the inner child. Leos at best are known to maintain a child like enthusiasm or at worst, behave like over-indulged and under disciplined toddlers. Insatiable in appetites, and ruthless in revenge, a wounded lion is very much like a wild animal, an energy we see expressed in Ravenel’s many vices and his muck throwing campaign to win custody of the children he shares with ex and fellow Leo Kathryn Dennis. While Bravo fired Ravenel from the series in 2018 due to assault charges leveled against him, he can’t seem to stay silent or away from the spotlight.
LIBRA (September 23 – October 22)
Shep Rose
Man child Shep Rose was born September 27, making him a Libra sun. Typically, this cardinal sign is well dressed, non committal and averse to hard work. It thus tracks that Rose, the author of the curiously titled, most definitely misguided essay collection “Average Expectations: Lessons in Lowering would proudly proclaim, “leisure is what I’m passionate about.” An air sign, Libras often speak or post out of turn, tone and pocket and Rose is no exception, he is openly critical of friends and cast mates and in 2019 Rose received backlash for posting derogatory footage of a homeless woman to his Twitter account. She may have been collecting cans but Rose was the true trash.
Venita Aspen
A their best Libras have refined taste and exquisite style and model/influencer Venita Aspen, born October 16 is a beacon of both. A natural diplomat who makes her opinions known without alienating her audience and is quick to make peace when necessary, Aspen exhibits the kinder, gentler, shall we say more charming qualities of her zodiac sign. As she explains in an episode prior to Kathryn Dennis’s Gatsby themed birthday party, “We’re not going there to cause a scene, we’re going there to support, look good and dress up.” Bless.
Madison LeCroy
Greenville, SC native and apex Libra Madison LeCroy was born October 6. Libra is ruled by Venus, planet of beauty and true to form, LeCroy, a salon owner and makeup artist operates something of an aesthetic empire and counts grand dame Patricia Altshul as a customer and comrade. Libras love love and are known to look for it high and low, a habit of the newly engaged LeCroy whose roster of prospects once included A-Rod, Jay Cutler, co-star Austin Kroll and according to Craig Conover, a litany of jilted suitors.
Taylor Ann Green
When it comes to the oft charming and rarely faithful realm of Libra, it takes one to take one on. Born October 14, Taylor Ann Green is a Libra just like her lover, the redemption seeking Shep Rose. Libras are the sign of partnership and as such are more willing than most to ignore red flags, glaring flaws and obvious deal breakers for the sake of keeping the peace and keeping it together. We see this tendency expressed in the sweet tolerance of Taylor Green whose permissive approach to Rose’s harsh words and bad behavior invites concern from her cast mates, most notably the ever talkative, consistently meddling Austen Kroll.
SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21)
Cameran Eubanks
Born November 21, departed cast member Cameran Eubanks is a Scorpio sun. Scorpios are not interested in frivolity and can smell falsehoods which made Eubanks and her searing commentary a welcome addition to the series. While the issues of others are easy fodder for a Scorpio they are intensely private about their own lives and Eubanks is no exception, her husband was mostly kept out of the series and when reality or the proximity to reality tv became too sharp of a glare on their relationship in 2020, Eubanks stepped away from the show.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 21)
Marcie Hobbs
Born December 21, Marcie Hobbs is a Sagittarius sun. A mutable fire sign, Sagittarians are known for their bon vivant energy and unrepentant delivery of hard truths and season 8 has thus far shown that Hobbs is a retired party girl and the one person whose counsel is appreciated and accepted by her craven cousin Shep Rose. This next bit is a stretch but we need to fill out the paragraph; Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, planet of expansion and abundance Hobbs is a seriously monied a member of the ultra exclusive Jupiter Island Club in Florida.
AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18)
Craig Conover
Born February 9, pillow prince and long aspiring attorney Craig Conover is an Aquarius. Known for being emotionally aloof, this fixed sign is staunch about their weirdness, they cultivate it, protect it and refuse to concede it. We see this expressed in Conover’s pillow sewing side hustle turned profitable comfort kingdom, Sewing Down South. And though his road to becoming a lawyer was not without its detours, Conover proved the humanitarian energy of his sun sign when he opened his own firm in 2021 with an emphasis on pro bono work.
Astrology 101: Your guide to the stars
- The 12 zodiac signs
- What are the astrology houses?
- Here’s what each planet represents
- Sun, moon and rising signs: Get to know your Big 3
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports back on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture and personal experience. She is also an accomplished writer who has profiled a variety of artists and performers, as well as extensively chronicled her experiences while traveling. Among the many intriguing topics she has tackled are cemetery etiquette, her love for dive bars, Cuban Airbnbs, a “girls guide” to strip clubs and the “weirdest” foods available abroad.
