Nick and Natalie Viall, co-hosts of The Viall Files podcast, are facing online backlash following their recent interview with Southern Charm’s Austen Kroll.
Austen appeared on the January 7 episode and was visibly uncomfortable when the conversation shifted to his late sister — a topic that was introduced rather nonchalantly.
“Quickly jumping out of Southern Charm — I’m sure we’re gonna jump right back into it — but going into your childhood, I didn’t know this about your sister passing at 9,” Natalie said.
For context, Austen’s older sister, Kyle Kroll, tragically died at age nine in 1994 after falling from a cliff at Chimney Rock State Park during a family outing.
Austen witnessed the accident
He has previously spoken about the tragedy on Southern Charm, sharing how the trauma deeply impacted both him and his family.
A year and a half later, his younger sister, Katie, was born — a period the family has described as a “rebirth” after immense loss.
In my opinion, Austen’s past trauma should only be discussed at his discretion and not haphazardly introduced on a podcast.
Despite Austen’s visible discomfort, Natalie continued to prod.
“What was this cliff?” she asked.
Austen declined to name the location, explaining that the town was later “wiped off the map by a hurricane” and that there was “no love lost with my family on that one.”
As of now, neither Natalie nor Nick has apologized for or acknowledged the insensitive line of questioning or the interview segment as a whole.
ICYMI: this isn’t the podcast’s first infraction — and likely won’t be the last.
Just recently, The Viall Files faced backlash for questioning how Whitney Leavitt went from Dancing With the Stars to Broadway…while being a mother of three.
