'Southern Charm': Kathryn Dennis opens up about ex-boyfriend Thomas Ravanel's sexual assault allegations
It looks like Kathryn Dennis of 'Southern Charm' is finally ready to break her silence on her ex-boyfriend Thomas Ravanel's sexual harassment scandal in which he was accused of sexual assault by two women. Recently, the cast members got together for a reunion and, while all familiar faces were present, there was one member missing — Thomas Ravenel. Ravanel decided to skip the reunion but that did not stop his cast members from talking about him.
While his absence did not surprise many following the sexual harassment case against the reality star, it was the statement made by his rep that caught everyone's attention. "Along with Bravo, our client made the mutual decision not to attend today’s reunion taping as there is a pending investigation," read the statement.
The statement continued, "Our client is fully cooperating with authorities on this investigation. He expects to be completely vindicated once the investigation is concluded. He sends his best regards to his fans and his fellow castmates."
During the same reunion show, Dennis, who shares two children with Ravanel even though the two split back in 2016, was asked by the host Cohen about how she's coping with the scandal and allegations since she had been spotted quite recently posting photos with him and the kids on social media.
"We've been trying to spend more time together in front of the children, so things are moving in the right direction as best as they can," she explained. But when she was asked about the ongoing investigation into her ex, she chose to say as little as possible. "I'm not going to comment until I guess it's resolved I think," she said. "What I am going to focus on is the children and I'm staying out of it."
Dennis also commented on how, for the past four seasons, Ravanel had made her look bad and how most people thought she was "unstable" because of him. However, she was happy to see the support she got and glad that she got her voice back.
"Thomas definitely put some things out there. I wish people would just know how the good old boy system works. It paints the woman as being crazy and, therefore, if any actions come out, if [the woman] would [tell] them, they’d be discredited,” she said.
On the other hand, Ravanel's current girlfriend Ashley Jacobs couldn't help but talk about how positive she is about her beau getting out from the investigation unscathed. When asked if she hopes for him to be cleared in the investigation, "Of course, yes," she responded. "He has not been charged with anything. These are just allegations."
While the ladies of the show seem to be glad that Ravanel wasn't among them, the actor has constantly denied the allegations. “My client enjoys a certain degree of fame and, unfortunately, has become — unfairly — a target for an individual who has, in my opinion, dubious motivations," his rep said at that time.
As reports about Ravenel's alleged sexual assault allegations have been brought to light, Dennis hopes to get full custody of their children and more money for child support. As reported earlier, Ravenel currently has full custody of the children, Kensie and Saint, which Dennis lost after she failed a drug test in the year 2016.
"Kathryn is going to court to ask a judge to give her full custody of the kids. Right now, Kathryn pays Thomas $100 a month in child support since he has full custody. She is planning to ask for money for child support from Thomas in court since she is spending fifty percent of the time with the kids," a source said.
The pair is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, June 8 and it seems that Dennis may bring up the shocking accusations against her ex. "Kathryn is considering bringing up all of the sexual assault stories about Thomas that are in the news now. She might do that if she thinks it will help get her more time and money," the source added.
Ravenel was accused of sexual assault by his former nanny Dawn. Dawn, at the time, admitted that she is the woman who reported Ravenel to police on May 7 for allegations of sexual assault. "Although I believe he should be in jail for his crimes, the reality according to statistics is that he will go unpunished. I feel the only justice I will receive is to share my story in the efforts to educate the public and support assault survivors," said Dawn who has requested that her last name not be used.
"Thomas returned home from an evening with friends. I had just finished making baby food and was drying baby bottles," Dawn said. Ravenel switched off the lights, according to Dawn who was working in the kitchen at the time. She alleges that Ravenel entered the kitchen and tried to kiss her. "I told him 'This isn’t appropriate. I work for you,'" after which he proceeded to give her a hug. "I had baby bottles in my hands, so I couldn’t hug him. It felt like he was putting his weight on me."
Dawn says that she eventually got away from Ravenel who is currently being investigated for "first-degree forcible rape". Several weeks later, Ravenel apologized to Dawn and "promised it would never happen again".
In addition to these allegations, a woman named Ashley Perkins said that her mother, Debbie, claimed he assaulted her on Christmas in 2015. The daughter claims Ravenel paid her mother a $200,00 settlement after mediation in 2016. Ravenel's ex-girlfriend Luzanne Otte also accused Thomas of sexual assault.