A Q&A WITH SHEP ROSE
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Meet Shep Rose from the hit reality TV show Southern Charm at 1 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Southern Women's Show. VIP tickets for a Meet and Greet with him are $35. www.southernshows.com.
Shepard "Shep" Rose is a native of Hilton Head, S.C., but he's best known as one of Charleston's most famous residents thanks to his four seasons on Bravo's hit realty TV show Southern Charm. His affable shenanigans (Shepnanigans?), witty one-liners, love of late-night parties and serial one-night stands have endeared him to viewers.
The seemingly eternal bachelor will be getting his own Bravo TV show soon when RelationShep airs (stay tuned for news of its premiere). This time the cameras will all be on Shep as he travels the country in search of love as his friends play matchmaker.
You can meet Shep in person on Aug. 27 at 1 p.m. during his appearance at the Southern Women's Show at the Charlotte Convention Center uptown. VIP tickets to his Meet and Greet are $35 and include admission to the show. Details: www.southernshows.com.
Before leaving for a recent fly fishing trip, Shep answered The O Report's questions including details about his ties to Charlotte, what his parents think about his TV fame and the one woman on Southern Charm he would love to date.
What exactly will you be doing at the Southern Women’s Show?
"I'll answer questions and chat with whomever wants to chat. I always look forward to spending time in Charlotte. My brother, Whitaker, and sister, Katie, and all my nieces live there. I'm sure I'll have dinner with them all somewhere, and my nieces will make a mess, and it will be wonderful."
Do you have a favorite bar or restaurant in Charlotte?
"Selwyn Pub."
What are your favorite charitable causes?
"Nature conservation and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Sick children really get to me."
Where are your favorite places for a getaway?
"The N.C. mountains and any remote beach."
What was your childhood dream profession?
"Professional basketball player."
How do your parents feel about your career. And do you want to continue in the reality show direction, or change gears and try something else?
"My parents are extremely supportive, and my mom especially likes to know all the gossip surrounding the shenanigans."
What did you learn from your parents and grandparents that still influences you today?
"Never be flashy or talk about money."
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
"Atticus Finch (from To Kill A Mockingbird)."
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
"Hopefully it hasn't happened yet."
What is your motto?
"Tomorrow is promised to no one."
What is the best business advice you’ve ever received?
"If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in trouble."
What’s in your glass during Happy Hour?
"Beer. Always."
Where’s your favorite place to shop for clothes?
"Now that I'm on the show, people just send me stuff. It's kind on crazy. I do like AG pants though. I buy them a lot."
What's on your Playlist?
"Radiohead. My Morning Jacket. Spoon. I don't listen to a lot of music."
It seems that everyone on the show, including your family, wants you to settle down and get married. Does that put a lot of pressure on you?
"I don't feel much pressure. The worst thing I could do is make a hasty decision."
If you could date one of the women on Southern Charm, who would it be?
"Cameran, if she was single. She'd probably laugh in my face but we get along so very well."
Who would you like to date from a different reality show?
"I literally don't watch any reality TV."
How is your bar in Charleston doing? Are you involved in any other businesses there?
"My bars are going great. There are three: The Alley, Palace Hotel and The Commodore."
How has the show changed your life for better, and for worse?
"It's definitely for the better. I've met some amazing people through the show."
What percentage of Southern Charm is really your life versus just a scene you're shooting for the show?
"I choose to be very upfront and honest on the show, and in life, so what you see is what you get."
What’s your favorite fine dining restaurant in Charleston, and what’s your favorite inexpensive one?
"Xaio Bao Biscuit is a place in Charleston that has amazing Asian food in a cool setting. I like it there a lot. And honestly, I love the food at the Palace Hotel."
