Jarrett “JT” Thomas raised more than a few eyebrows when he announced his departure from Southern charm weeks before the Season 10 premiere — and his co-stars noticed.
“I think it became more like, he set the house on fire and then backed off when everyone had a reaction – and not a good one,” Madison LeCroy exclusively speaking Us Weekly on Wednesday, December 4, citing JT’s sudden choice to leave before season 10 filming had finished. “He was no longer wanted in the group,” she added.
Madison, 34, went on to explain that the show is basically “about a group of people who are friends or trying to be friends,” adding that “from the beginning” she believed JT had a motive for being a villain.
“He realized very quickly that it wasn’t going to last long,” she said.
JT turned heads in November when he revealed his exit via Instagramwriting: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce that I have retired from Southern charm.”
The 38-year-old reality star noted that she won’t be “participating in the 2-3 remaining green room interviews” that are filmed to accompany the new season, which premieres Thursday, December 5.
JT didn’t explain the reasons behind his impromptu departure, but his co-stars Madison, Austin Kroll, Left Bonaparte and Taylor Ann Green exceptional dish to us on its release — and why they think it happened — below:
Madison LeCroy
After posting on social media about the ‘smallest person who ever lived’, referring to JT – and taking a cue from Taylor Swift“The Smallest Mane That Ever Lived” — Madison said us that she was “a bit shocked” by how JT left the show.
“He was running around with this idea (he was going to leave) all season long,” she recalled, before noting that everyone in the cast says that “at least twice a season.”
When Madison thought about it us asked her if JT used the “Karen exit” — instead of the “coward’s exit” — she laughed. “He’s Karen too,” she joked. “Yes, coward, for sure. I mean that’s the best way to describe it. When the going gets tough, you can’t just walk away.
Despite JT’s quick exit after a seemingly difficult season for him, Madison insisted the show will be “just fine” without him. “He always seems to impress me, but not in a good way,” she concluded.
Austin Kroll
Austin, 37, feud with JT during season 9 after JT claimed that Austin treated women badly, so there wasn’t much love lost between the pair. Austin exclusively speaking us on Thursday, Dec. 5, that JT’s departure proved his point about the reality star.
“The announcement was a bit grandiose. My view is that – I mean the hypocrisy of it all is crazy,” he said. “The second the mirror is held up to his face, instead of owning it and taking responsibility, he just (separates).”
Austin indicated that JT’s departure reflected what he “said at the meeting.”
A recent sneak peek from Season 10 of Southern Charm seems to offer some insight into why JT Thomas left the show. The clip, released during the Bravo FanFest in Miami over the weekend, shows JT, 39, in a rather awkward interaction with Patricia Altschul. “Hello Miss Pat. I brought this cane for you,” JT said in (…)
“I mean, I can’t wait for everyone to know exactly who you are,” he added. “You can only wear the mask you put on last season for so long and it will come off and you will be seen.”
As for JT’s possible return to the Bravo show, Austin admitted, “I don’t see a way back.” He claims that JT has burned his last bridge with the costar Come on Aspen this season. “I don’t think Venita is too happy about him,” he teased her. (In the season 10 trailer, Venita and JT were flirtatious and they hinted that they had feelings for each other.)
Left Bonaparte
“JT is so chaotic, which I think makes for great TV, but it’s not a show. He is a chaotic person and somehow has no chill,” Leva, 45. exclusively speaking us on Wednesday. “It’s like if you say something to JT, I’m like, ‘Can you process it?’ … But he’s so reactive.”
Leva explained that although he thinks JT is a “good guy,” he faced “a lot of accusations” while filming Season 10. “I think Venita and JT are complicated. And I think it rubbed off on Venita as well,” she added, referring to a possible romance between the co-stars.
“He came this year with a lot. He wasn’t drinking or anything, but I think he’s an intense dude, man,” she noted. “There’s a lot in the package.”
Taylor Ann Green
“It didn’t really surprise me. I think it’s a little better than JT trying to get everyone’s attention,” Taylor, 30, exclusively revealed to us before the premiere of the show.
She admitted it was “a little disappointing because we’ve all had a tough season,” noting that everyone else “showed up” despite their rough storylines.
“For him to have a hiccup and then all of a sudden just bail is very selfish in my opinion,” Taylor continued. “We all want to see him come back to try to explain some things because we’re all in the dark about what’s going on.”
She added that when Madison called him “the smallest person who ever lived,” she “giggled” because it felt right. “For somebody to have a tough season and then not come up and talk about themselves, we’re like, ‘Dude, we’ve all been there and we’ve all had to do it, and you’re the smallest little guy. ‘ You won’t show up. Like, come on?
Southern charm airs on Bravo Thursdays at 9pm ET.
