Southern Charm star Shep Rose is stepping into a new role with The Outriders team at INTENNSE tennis. After a mostly peaceful (for him) Season 11 of Southern Charm, Shep said yes to this new project, which fit him to a T. But no worries, gentle-ish readers, Shep has no intentions of stepping down from filming, if Southern Charm even gets renewed, that is. And, if it is, Shep would really love for Season 12 to be a time “where we can all just get along.”
Either way, regardless of what happens to this charming-adjacent series, truly, big things are underway for this well-read OG star. So, Reality Tea got Shep on the line, where he discussed everything from a “hypothetical” Southern Charm Season 12 to his latest opportunity with INTENNSE. Here’s everything Shep had to say.
How did Shep come to partner with INTENNSE, and why did this venture grab his attention?
This opportunity landed at Shep’s feet courtesy of his longtime buddy, Jeff Altstadter, a key member of INTENNSE’s executive team. As Shep joked, “When Jeff first approached me, I thought he wanted me to play, and I was like, ‘Oh man, this is gonna be embarrassing, but I’ll give it a try.’ And then he’s like, ‘No, you moron, it’s not you. Nobody wants to watch you.’”
Instead, Shep will serve as a “Pulse Partner” and team owner at INTENNSE. This concept excites Shep, because it will open opportunities “to the streets to a certain degree.” As to how, Shep offered our readers “an analogy.”
“When I started filming Southern Charm in Charleston, I met producers, cameramen, sound techs, and production assistants. I didn’t know that their jobs existed. It opened my eyes to the entertainment industry. I just thought there were actors and directors, but there’s so much more to it.”
“So my point is, if you’re a 12-year-old kid and you’re in Charleston or wherever, and you see a film crew go by, it gives you this sort of excitement, like, I can make a living out of this. And now, that could be the case for tennis. And that’s a beautiful thing. Sometimes you need to see it; it needs to be in front of you, that accessibility.”
How does INTENNSE set itself apart from traditional tennis, and how can Southern Charm Fans follow along?
Tennis originated in 12th-century France. It morphed into modern-day lawn tennis in the 1870s. This fast-paced racket sport is played either individually (singles) or in pairs (doubles) on a rectangular court. So, how is INTENNSE looking to revamp this longstanding sport?
“I think it’s faster paced, less formal, and therefore, again, more accessible.” Regarding the game itself, Shep explained, it features 10-minute timed “Bolts” rather than traditional sets. It also encourages “loud participation from the crowds,” unlike the more reserved, respectful origins of this sport.
For fans wanting to tag along on Shep’s newest venture with INTENNSE, make sure you follow Shep on Instagram. “It will be televised, and it will be streamed,” Shep noted, but “We’re still working on who our streaming partner will be for this year.” Once Shep receives word on which platform is their host, he will post about it on his page. As he clarified, for now, “We have a couple of months left of planning, so we’re still getting there with those things.”
As an aside, Shep teased, “I think it would make for a good Bravo reality show. These teams, these young, attractive tennis players, I’d watch that.”
Shep has positive aspirations for Southern Charm Season 12
Shep would “love” to feature his journey with The Outriders on Southern Charm. “But that’s not my decision to make.” So, while we await word on that and all things Southern Charm Season 12, we asked Shep to look back on Season 11.
First, there is one question fans are asking on repeat: Why did Shep fumble his chances with his affectionately labeled “self-depricating” costar, Molly O’Connell? Dodging with an acknowledged “glib answer,” Shep referenced back to Molly’s pet snake. “Do you know how terrified of snakes I am?” he asked.
Second, I asked Shep about Craig Conover. Craig has “taken a beating big time,” Shep admitted. But Shep has “sent him a couple of supportive check-ins” following filming. “And I think he’s doing fine, and he’s staying busy, and that’s important to him.”
Looking ahead, “If there is a hypothetical Season 12,” Shep would love to see “a world where we can all just get along.” Until then, Shep is “focusing on being better, working on myself, and providing encouragement,” with “a little bit of tough love in there” for his friends and costars alike.
Southern Charm is streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – DO YOU LIKE THIS NEW OUTLET FOR SHEP? DO YOU PLAN ON FOLLOWING THE OUTRIDERS UPCOMING SEASON? WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR A HYPOTHETICAL SOUTHERN CHARM SEASON 12?
