Salley Carson claims that podcast host Nick Viall privately apologized to her Southern Charm co-star, Austen Kroll, after a recent controversial interview.
Former Bachelor Nick Viall and his wife, Natalie Joy Viall, host a popular podcast called The Viall Files. Last month, they had Austen on the show to discuss his acting career and relationships with his fellow cast members on Southern Charm.
However, the interview took a much more personal turn when Natalie unexpectedly questioned Nick about the tragic death of his older sister, Kyle.
In 1994, 9-year-old Kyle was on a family hiking trip in North Carolina when she suffered a fall from a cliff and passed away. Austen was only 7-years-old at the time and witnessed the horrific accident, which has had a lasting impact on his life.
While Austen had discussed the incident briefly in the past, he seemed caught off guard when suddenly asked about it during the interview.
“Quickly jumping out of Southern Charm, I’m sure we’re gonna jump right back into it, but going into your childhood, I didn’t know this about your sister passing at 9,” said Natalie.
“Okay, we are switching gears,” an uncomfortable-looking Austen said after the sudden transition.
Natalie went on to ask further personal questions about the tragedy, including specifically inquiring about the cliff that Kyle fell off of.
Once the podcast was shared online, the backlash was nearly immediate, with many calling the questions about Austen’s sister insensitive.
Despite acknowledging that Nick and Natalie called Austen privately to apologize, Carson expressed that she believes a public apology is necessary.
“I think that it needed to be a lot bigger,” she said. “I’m kind of like, are y’all not wanting to apologize because you don’t really want to admit that it was wrong?”
She went on to say that she could tell that her co-star appeared visibly distressed by the questioning.
“I could tell he was uncomfortable because his leg was shaking. I’ve been friends with him for a while, and I haven’t asked [about Kyle]. That’s something that I feel like he should bring up when he feels comfortable,” she said.