In a candid confession that has left Southern Charm fans stunned, Austen Kroll admitted that he was “high on Ambien” during parts of filming the hit Bravo reality show — and yes, some of those unforgettable moments may have happened while he wasn’t entirely awake. 😳
Austen, known for his quick wit, messy romances, and unpredictable behavior, revealed in a recent interview that he often took the prescription sleep aid Ambien to cope with insomnia and the stress of reality TV filming
. But things didn’t always go as planned. “There were times I’d take it to fall asleep — and instead, I’d stay up,” Austen shared with a laugh. “Next thing I know, I’m texting people, FaceTiming castmates, or saying wild stuff on camera. It’s like sleepwalking, but with a microphone and a film crew.”
While Austen didn’t specify which episodes or scenes were Ambien-fueled, fans are already sleuthing through past clips. 💬 On Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), viewers are comparing notes, speculating about the “Ambien era” of Austen’s on-screen antics — including the infamous late-night arguments and slurred confessionals that now seem to make a lot more sense.
But beyond the humor, Austen’s revelation also sheds light on the darker side of reality television — the pressure to perform, the long filming hours, and the toll it takes on mental health. “Being on camera all the time messes with your sleep and your head,” he admitted. “It’s way more exhausting than people realize.”
Fellow cast members have reportedly known about Austen’s struggles for years, with one unnamed co-star saying, “When he’s on, he’s hilarious — but when he’s burned out, you can tell. Ambien was just one of those coping mechanisms.”
Fans have responded with a mix of shock, concern, and empathy, with many praising Austen for being transparent about a topic rarely discussed in reality TV. “It’s refreshing that he’s owning it,” one fan commented. “We’ve all seen the wild side — now we finally understand why.”
As Austen continues to juggle business ventures, Bravo fame, and personal growth, this moment of honesty might just mark the start of a
