As one phoenix falls, another rises from the ashes, and the reality TV universe is no different. We may be facing the end of Vanderpump Rules as we know it, but what if I told you there’s a new spicy cesspool of hospitality singles across the coast, just waiting for you to become obsessed with them? No, I’m not talking about Southern Charm, the show that won’t let us escape from overgrown, Ole Miss-loving Peter Pans. I’m talking about a younger generation of Charleston partiers that have an intertwined lore that runs so deep, Lisa Vanderpump would be impressed. Without further ado, here’s a breakdown of Southern Hospitality’s relationship drama, friendships, and season recaps you need to dive into season 3.

Southern Hospitality Relationship History

Southern Hospitality Current Couples

Leva and Lamar

Leva Bonaparte is the LVP of this series, as the owner of Republic, Bourbon n’ Bubbles, and several other Charleston hotspots which is where the cast works. Leva operates the hospitality empire with her husband, Lamar, both of whom are also on Southern Charm. If Republic sounds familiar, it might be because it’s where Kyle Cooke was accused of cheating on his wife Amanda, which Kyle and Leva denied.

Maddi (26) and Joe Bradley (29)

After two seasons of openly pining to be Maddi’s main man, Joe Bradley finally found his way out of the friend zone in season 3 of SH. Joe and Maddi’s romance has been a long time coming since Joe admitted early on that there had been a “glimmer of something” between them but he was too afraid to make a move. Maddie thought Joe was too big of a fuckboy to take seriously and instead was in a toxic relationship with a chump named Trevor, who Joe coincidentally hated. Now, two seasons later, Maddi and Joe are locked in for life, after they made out following the season 2 reunion.

Emmy (26) and Will (30)

Emmy and Will were introduced as a power couple in season 1, back when their biggest issue was Will choosing a law school away from home. But by season 2, cheating rumors found the couple, spread by Will’s own best friend Joe Bradley, who he was in a frenemy era with. TBF, the friends in this group always love to spill the tea, like when Will’s other BFF Brad dropped the bomb that Emmy and Maddi’s then-boyfriend Trevor once shared a peanut buttery hookup back in college.

Still, Emmy stood by her man, even when her bestie Mia confirmed the cheating rumors were legit. But going into season 3 rumors resurged that Will was actually Emmy’s biggest hater behind her back.

Brad (25) and Lake (21)?

Brad previously had a fling with season 1 and 2 cast member, Lucía. Now, during season 3, Brad is interested in the new girl Lake. Lake is a 21-year-old artist and textbook princess spoiled by a bald-headed daddy, so Brad is going to have to put in a lot of legwork to court her.

Mia (28) and Troy

After owning the fact that she was playing the field in season 1, Mia confirmed she is still down bad for her season 2 boyf Troy at the end of 2024.

TJ (30) and Michols (22)?

To be honest, TJ is in a committed relationship with mess, but season 3 shows him testing the waters with the new Republic manager, Michols. Michols seems like a level-headed sweetheart but TJ is still playing hot and cold with Michols’ feelings.

Despite already having one dramatic situationship in the making, there’s a different leading man in the Southern Hospitality circle with whom TJ is interested in pursuing a relationship with… Joe Bradley.

What happened in season 1 of Southern Hospitality?

During the freshman season of SH, the main conflict was between former besties Maddi Reese and Grace Lilly, vying for the title of HBIC at Republic. Maddi was not only the #1 host at the club but also a budding DJ. Joe is also the king of Republic, at least according to him, but not as far as his rival Mikel is concerned. By the end of the season, Maddi and Grace Lilly become close again, but Joe doesn’t manage to become more than a friend in Maddi’s book. Leva decides she has to reign in her staff for their bad behavior, made worse by an NSFW Instagram post that Leva believes crossed the line.

What happened to Mikel from Southern Hospitality?

Mikel wanted to prioritize focusing on his sobriety, as shared in his confessionals during season 2. Considering Mikel didn’t return for the season 2 reunion or season 3, it looks like that journey brought him away from Republic and the show. On social media, Mikel looks healthy and happy and has also posted pics with his remaining friends from the cast, including Maddi’s ex Trevor.

What happened in season 2 of Southern Hospitality?

Leva enforces the new rules at Republic (no drinking on the job) by firing her longtime friend and employee, Lucía. Mia snaps at Leva for the decision, resulting in Mia being fired, too. Emmy and Will face cheating rumors now that he’s away at law school, but Emmy refuses to believe anyone. Maddi’s explosive relationship with Trevor is center stage, though, as her friends try to convince her Trevor cheated on her (again), this time at Republic.

When Brad introduced the alleged other woman to the group, Maddi retaliated by dropping cheating rumors she heard about Brad, back when he was in a relationship, that allegedly went down in an alley (not the one at Sur). Maddi spiraled from the constant hate on her relationship, which blew up on the cast trip after Maddi learned everyone was laughing at her in a group chat. Even though Maddi defended Trevor at Will’s Fourth of July party by locking Trevor’s hookup out of the party (queen shit), Maddi accepts Trevor was a big fat liar by the reunion.

Did Grace Lilly quit Republic?

Yes, Grace Lilly is no longer a waitress at Leva’s restaurants. She is pursuing modeling, music, and wherever the wind takes her, which is a v Grace Lilly thing to do. Grace also dumped that meanie boyfriend who Grace alleged kidnapped her cat.

Who are the new cast on Southern Hospitality season 3?

southern hospitality explainer

In season 3, Australian transplant Oisin from season 2 has been replaced by a different set of abs belonging to a man named Austin. There are also two new VIP hosts: Molly, a party planner who isn’t a big fan of Emmy, and Lake. Michols is the new manager there to wrangle the entire staff.

What did Will say about Emmy?

The biggest storyline of season 3 so far is that Will got drunk and “vented” about Emmy, calling her overbearing, “anorexic,” and not the love of his life. Ouch.

Did TJ and Joe Bradley hook up?

Another bombshell revelation in season 3 is that TJ claims he and Joe got cozy in bed years ago before the show ever began. Because of this, TJ has always dreamed about with Joe. Ummmm, how did he never talk about this before??? Well, apparently, TJ did spread the word off-camera, which is why there have always been rumors Joe is gay. While the audience thought Joe and TJ were beefing about TJ outing Joe for hooking up with LuAnn De Lesseps (while he was supposed to be Danielle Olivera’s boyfriend), there was much more to the story. TJ nor Joe have clarified what exactly went down the drunken night, yet.

Did Maddi and Joe Bradley get married?

In a preview for season 3, Joe and Maddi are seen kissing in a Vegas chapel. There’s an Elvis impersonator and everything. But do they really sign on the dotted line for wedding bliss? IDK, that’s TBD.