Despite some fan speculation, viewers won’t see Ashley Jacobs return to Southern Charm next season.
Ashley confirmed that on social media, claiming that it was her choice.
Patricia Altschul isn’t letting that claim stand unchallenged, and mocked Ashley’s post. Did she go too far?
“After a lot of prayerful consideration,” Ashley announced on Instagram. “I have decided not to return to Southern Charm next season.”
There was more to her announcement, and we’ll get to that.
But right now, let’s look at what one of the reigning Southern Charm stars has to say.
The absolute legend that is Patricia Altschul saw Ashley’s announcement and decided to parody it with an announcement of her own.
“After prayerful consideration,” Patricia tweeted. “I’ve decided to decline the Nobel Peace Prize and the swimsuit cover of Sports Illustrated.“
Patricia Altschul is a delight.
It is clear by the implication of her tweet that, as far as she is concerned, Ashley was never considered for an invitation to return to the show.
That’s not so surprising — Ashley was never a real cast member, and was only paid for her appearance at the reunion special.
She was Thomas Ravenel’s girlfriend, and Thomas is never returning to Bravo.
(Thomas will, in fact, stand trial for sexual assault based upon the chilling allegations made by his children’s former nanny)
Patricia received a lot of cheering after her shady tweet.
Others, however, felt that she was taking things too hard.
“Quit being a bully,” demanded one Twitter denizen. “Move on.”
“You’re too old to continue these shenanigans,” the tweeter told Patricia.
(Poking at Patricia Altschul’s age isn’t just rude — it also makes your words about bullying sound a little hollow)
Patricia dismissed that particular tweet as sour grapes — possibly from Ashley herself under a fake social media account.
Despite the implication that Ashley never had the option of returning to Southern Charm, her Instagram post explained her reasoning.
“I’ve been blessed with an amazing career, family, & friends,” she wrote.
“And,” Ashley continued. “I don’t want to put those things in jeopardy for a reality tv show.”
“Honestly,” she shared. “I considered filming again because I desperately want to tell my side of the story.”
“But after experiencing how unfair the editing process can be,” she explained. “I don’t think I’ll ever have a fair shot.”
“I appreciate you all following me throughout this journey,” Ashley concluded.
We’re glad that Ashley seems to have found some peace.
Given the damage to her image as well as the visibly detrimental effects that stardom exacted upon her health, maybe it’s best that Ashley not return.
(Not everyone should be a reality star, and that is perfectly okay — Ashley is a registered nurse)
There are conflicting reports over who made this call.
Ashley and some sources say that she was offered the chance to return to the show and try to work her way into the inner circle.
Other sources — and Patricia Altschul — say that she was never considered, because she was never really a star.
As you can see, the other ladies of Southern Charm are getting on just fine without Ashley.
But we don’t think that it’s fair to call Patricia’s words “bullying.”
It’s a shady tweet from a reality star to her former co-star.
If it were racist or homophobic or misogynistic or something along those lines, maybe.
Instead, it was one woman who appeared on a reality show mocking another. That goes with the territory.
Also, it’s worth noting that Patricia was overtly friendly to Ashley when she first joined the show.
It was Ashley’s behavior during her brief stint on Southern Charm that made Patricia feel repulsed.
