In the world of reality TV, where relationships play out under a microscope, one issue continues to spark tension both on-screen and off: what happens when the woman’s career takes center stage?
While modern couples are increasingly navigating dual-career dynamics, some men in reality TV are still catching up — especially when it comes to sharing or even stepping back from domestic control. Two recent Bravo moments offer a revealing look at how this negotiation can play out: Southern Charm star Craig Conover expressed concerns in his relationship with Paige DeSorbo when her career started taking off, which we’re seeing play out on Summer House. Conversely, Beau Clark expressed support for wife Stassi Schroeder’s career when they were on Vanderpump Villa but admits he’s struggling in his new role as the family’s main caregiver. Each man faced a version of the same conversation — but responded in starkly different ways. Their choices underscore just how uneven reality TV’s gender expectations still are when it comes to ambition, support, and the shifting balance of power at home.
Craig Conover and Paige DeSorbo’s Relationship Changed When Her Career Took Off
Paige recently received backlash for claiming she was the “breadwinner” in her relationship with Craig. When she appeared on Andy Cohen‘s Watch What Happens Live, Paige doubled-down on her comment about her ex-boyfriend making less than her in their relationship with the statement: “But I work more, so it makes sense.” Craig’s refusal to understand Paige’s business drive when he was ready for her to settle down into a domestic role in their relationship is pretty much entirely the reason their relationship fell apart.
Paige even acknowledged to Craig in a recent Summer House episode that she is a much different person than she was in the early stages of their relationship. Her vision of what her life would look like in her 30s used to align more with what Craig had pictured for them, with her settling down into the domestic sphere, having children, and moving away from New York City in order to raise them.
But with the success of her Giggly Squad podcast, her continued popularity on reality TV, her successful nationwide tour, and her New York Times bestselling book, Paige was also completely in the right to say her values have shifted, and now her career has become significantly more important to her than it once was. Paige worked hard for her success, and it was difficult to watch her practically begging Craig to understand that all she wanted was for him to give her the time and space to pursue the same opportunity he was given to build his business once he gained popularity on Southern Charm.
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Beau Modeled a Different Approach on ‘Vanderpump Villa’
In Season 2 of Vanderpump Villa, Stassi and Beau are having honest conversations about where the couple are in their careers. Beau says that although he agreed to quit his career and follow his wife and their children as her podcast and book tours took off, he is now feeling the need to have something to work on that belongs to him. Even though he had initially agreed to be the one to take control of their home life as Stassi became the breadwinner, Beau felt unfulfilled. It’s almost as if being confined to the domestic sphere at the expense of one’s career isn’t as fulfilling as generations of men once claimed.
Despite the shocking return of Stassi’s “dark passenger” in later episodes, she and Beau resolved their discussion about balancing their relationship and their careers effectively. Stassi wanted to be selfish and keep her husband by her side, focusing on her and the family, but she eventually agreed it was better to compromise. Stassi’s return to reality TV with her own Hulu series Stassi Says will certainly keep the couple busy going forward, and viewers will likely learn more about Beau’s career choices in the upcoming premiere season. Paige and Stassi having these open and honest conversations with their partners proves that men are learning tough lessons on reality TV about what it means to have to make sacrifices in support of their partner’s career while holding down domestic duties.
Vanderpump Villa is streaming on Hulu and Summer House is currently on Wednesday night at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.
