Southern Charm alumna Kathryn Dennis has weathered numerous challenges and triumphs under the public’s watchful eye.

She first appeared on Bravo’s radar in 2014, joining the inaugural season of Southern Charm as a “friend of” the main cast. Her storyline quickly gained traction, and by the second season, she was a full-fledged cast member. This promotion coincided with the unfolding of her relationship with Thomas Ravenel, which captivated audiences.

Throughout the series, viewers witnessed both joyful moments, such as the birth of Dennis and Ravenel’s two children, and more turbulent times. The show documented her clashes with fellow cast members Landon Clements and Ashley Jacobs, as well as her tumultuous interactions with Ravenel.

After eight eventful seasons, Dennis announced her exit from the series in January 2023.

Since its 2014 debut, Southern Charm has been a staple for Bravo fans, known for its dramatic twists both on and off the screen. The original cast featured Thomas Ravenel, Shep Rose, Cameran Eubanks, Craig Conover, Whitney Sudler-Smith, and Jenna King. It was during this first season that Thomas crossed paths with Kathryn Dennis, despite their nearly three-decade age difference, setting the stage for the drama that followed.

“What a wild ride it’s been! Can you believe I was 21 when I first started filming Southern Charm, back in its first season? That was in 2013, and in the decade that followed, it’s safe to say my life changed in ways I could never imagine,” she shared in a statement at the time. “It hasn’t always been easy, but I’m so lucky to have had reality cameras there, capturing so many moments that I’ll never forget (and a few, even, that I’d like to).”

Dennis had some controversial moments on the show — and in real life — over the years. Keep scrolling for a full breakdown:

Kathryn’s Relationship With Thomas Ravenel

Southern Charm fans watched Dennis’ relationship with Ravenel play out on the show, but a lot went down offscreen as well. Their near three-year romance — which lasted from 2013 to 2016 — was full of ups and downs, beginning with their 29-year age gap.

Becoming a Mother

Dennis and Ravenel welcomed their first child, a daughter named Kensington Calhoun, in March 2014. Their second child, a son named Saint Julian, in November 2015.

A Stint in Rehab

Amid Dennis and Ravenel’s custody battle, she sought treatment for substance abuse. Her sobriety journey was documented during seasons 4 and 5 of Southern Charm.

Getting Joint Custody

After their 2016 split, Dennis lost custody of her two children — which kicked off a nasty battle between the exes. Dennis gained 50/50 custody the following year following a stint in rehab.

Dennis sought sole custody of the kids in October 2018, after Ravenel was arrested for assault and battery following an alleged 2015 incident with the children’s nanny. (The suit was settled in 2019.)

Cameran Eubanks and Thomas Ravenel are among the Southern Charm stars who have stepped away from the Bravo hit over the years. Eubanks was part of the original cast of Southern Charm, which premiered in 2014. After six seasons, she shocked fans in May 2020 when she announced her departure. That same month, Eubanks shut […]

As their custody battle continued, the two accused each other of having drug problems. Eventually, they agreed to joint custody of their two kids in August 2019. However, Ravenel’s lawyer confirmed in March 2021 there had been a change and Dennis no longer had custody of the children. She was granted supervised weekend visitation with the children.

Sending Racially Insensitive Messages

Dennis sent radio host Tamika Gadsden a monkey emoji during an argument in 2020.

“I want to acknowledge that using a monkey emoji in my text was offensive, and from the bottom of my heart I sincerely apologize to anyone and everyone I hurt,” Dennis shared in a statement at the time. “Although the context was not my intention, there are no ‘if ands or buts’ that excuse me … I did not give it thought, and it was and is wrong. I know I am not that person. I know and will do better.”

Alleged Hit and Run Outside of a School

People reported in October 2023 that an SVU registered to Dennis was involved in an alleged hit and run outside the Whitesville Elementary School. According to the publication, a school resource officer directing traffic was struck by the vehicle.

A DUI

In May 2024, TMZ broke the news that Dennis was arrested for reportedly driving under the influence and booked by police in Goose Creek, South Carolina. Court documents obtained by the publication revealed that she was involved in a three-car collision but no other details were revealed.

Jail Sentence

In October 2025, the reality star was sentenced to 30 days in jail for her role in a three-car crash that occurred in May 2024, per NBC Affiliate News 2. She served 11 days behind bars before being released from Berkeley County Hill-Finklea Detention Center in South Carolina on October 14.