A new face has arrived at Republic, and he’s already making waves on “Southern Hospitality.”
Justin Assad made his debut during the season 4 premiere of the Bravo series as the club’s newest VIP host. Introduced as a longtime friend of TJ Dinch, Justin quickly caught the attention of his coworkers — and viewers — after revealing his adventurous past and complicated dating life.
From globe-trotting experiences to unexpected connections within the Republic crew, Justin’s arrival appears set to shake up the Charleston social scene.
Justin Assad’s Charleston Return Shakes Up ‘Southern Hospitality’
Justin introduced himself to viewers during the season 4 premiere of “Southern Hospitality,” explaining that Charleston is a familiar place for him.
“I have a bit of history with Charleston,” Justin said in a confessional. “I used to live down in Charleston in 2019. And I did my time in Boston, L.A., and Sydney, Australia.”
Justin explained that his return to the city followed a breakup that changed his plans.
“I was in a relationship,” Justin said. “The relationship went south, so I said f**K it. I’ll go south too.”
Justin added that reconnecting with TJ helped bring him back to Charleston.
“I got in contact with an old friend, TJ, told him I was moving back to the city, got some abs, a new haircut, and here I am,” he joked.
His new look quickly became a talking point among the Republic staff.
Joe Bradley said in a confessional, “I’m glad there’s a new good-looking guy at Republic, but he can’t have better hair than me.”
Bradley Carter also shared his first impression of the new hire.
“I think Justin’s different than your typical Charleston guy,” Bradley said. “He’s a little dirty, looks like he hadn’t showered in a day or two.”
Meanwhile, Michols Peña offered his own take.
“I think Justin’s attractive,” Michols said. “You know, I think he would go from a Charleston eight to a 10 if he groomed his hair a little bit.”
Justin’s Love Life Creates Early Drama on ‘Southern Hospitality’
Justin’s personal life has already become a major storyline in season 4.
During episode 2, Justin opened up about his previous relationship, revealing he had moved to Australia with a former girlfriend.
“My last relationship, you know, I moved to Australia with her and was head over heels for this person,” Justin said. “Like, that was the first time in my life I really felt passion.”
He later explained that things eventually fell apart.
“Sometimes you get too freaky, and it ruins the relationship,” Justin said, referencing what he described as “a little threesome gone wrong.”
Since returning to Charleston, Justin’s romantic life appears complicated.
The show revealed that Justin has been seeing Republic bartender Jordyn, whom the series described as his “friend with benefits.”
At the same time, Justin went on a date with Molly Moore, who recently became Jordyn’s roommate. Justin also admitted he previously had a crush on Mia Alario.
Justin even revealed that he once kissed both TJ and Michols.
“I‘ve exclusively dated women, but I think I’m 30 percent gay, depending on how many tequila sodas I have in me,” Justin said in a confessional.
The ‘Southern Hospitality‘ Newbie Has Big Ambitions Outside of Being a Bravolebrity
Justin grew up in Boston in a Lebanese-Irish family and has a twin sister, along with two other siblings.
In high school, Justin played football, basketball, lacrosse, and ran track. He later attended Assumption University on a football scholarship, where he studied business management and English.
Outside of Republic, Justin works as a social media content creator and has ambitions to pursue acting.
Before joining “Southern Hospitality,” Justin also appeared on a dating show in 2024.
His official Bravo bio hints that his return to Charleston could bring even more drama.
“After years abroad, the winds have brought new VIP Host Justin Assad back to Charleston,” the bio states. “Yet after dropping one too many love bombs, Justin finds himself entangled in love triangles.”
The season 4 trailer also shows Justin responding to rumors about his reputation.
“Everyone’s saying that I’m a f**k boy,” Justin says in the clip.
With new relationships forming and rivalries already brewing, Justin’s arrival could change the dynamic at Republic.
New episodes of “Southern Hospitality” air Wednesday nights on Bravo.
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Not sure who wrote this novel, but before being casted (he was scouted by the same agent who found him for Netflix’s Surviving Paradise), Justin had never lived in Charleston or knew anyone from the cast. He literally went to Assumption College in MA, which is also the only place he’s lived his whole life, until May 2020. He arrived and met the cast when he started filming last July.