Southern Charm's Molly Claims 'ANTM' Was 'Psychological Torture,' Much 'Tougher' Than the Bravo Series

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Molly O’Connell is new to Southern Charm for season 10 but she’s no stranger to reality TV after competing on America’s Next Top Model.

“Top Model was harder, definitely,” Molly, 37, revealed on the Thursday, January 16, episode of “The Viall Files” podcast. “It was 24/7 filming. They had motion sensor cameras in the corner of our bedrooms.”

The model, who came in second during season 16 of ANTM in 2011, recalled the showers being “see-through except for one little frosted part” and the bathrooms only having a curtain instead of a door.

“You couldn’t really get away from anyone. They could easily walk in,” Molly clarified, pointing out that the cameras wouldn’t invade the bathrooms while you were using them. However, she insisted, “If you tried to avoid the cameras, they’d track you down.”

Molly claimed that the production crew would intentionally create chaos and amplify everyone's feelings by scheduling interviews at “really late” hours.

“I would get low blood sugar attacks and need food and they would dangle a sandwich in front of me. ‘Just a few more questions Molly and then we’ll feed you,’” she told host Nick Viall of her time filming back in 2010. “It was so toxic.”

While Molly called ANTM “a bit of psychological torture,” she said, “I would still do it again. It wasn’t so horrible that I wouldn’t do that experience all over again.”

During her first season of Southern Charm — her debut episode premiered in December 2024 — Molly has been open about her challenges as a model. She has discussed her weight gain and ups and downs with self-confidence as a result.

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After talking about her weight on camera, Molly was fat-shamed by pal Whitney Sudler-Smith for eating a cupcake during the December 12, 2024, episode. “He’s very insensitive,” Molly told Viall and his wife, Natalie Joy, of Whitney on Thursday.

When asked if Whitney or Tyra Banks was “more rude about food,” Molly said it wasn’t even close.

“Honestly, I’d say Tyra,” she responded. “Whitney only mentioned that one thing. He doesn’t usually talk to me that way. It was more like, ‘Seriously, can’t you pick up on the vibe?’”

Molly noted that Banks, 51 — who created the model competition in 2003 — was “so toxic” but claimed, “She didn’t say stuff about us eating.”

“She wasn’t like, ‘Don’t eat.’ But she did come and film a segment with us about healthy food to eat,” Molly recalled, adding that there was a skewed perspective on the model’s sizes on ANTM. “The people who they would be like, ‘You’re plus size. You’re the biggest girl here.’ They’re smaller than I am now.”

She recalled that the time they filmed her season was “toxic.” However, despite the negativity, Molly mentioned that it was “very enjoyable” and she had “many incredible experiences” that contributed to her career growth.

Molly still talks to “almost all” of the models she competed against to “some extent,” especially the season 16 winner, Brittani Kline. “We stayed very good friends,” she shared.

“I talk to [judge and photographer] Nigel Barker,” Molly added. “He was super nice. The judges weren’t as in on the [toxicity].”

When it comes to Southern Charm, Molly said that the drama is coming — but her experience on the show has been pleasant.

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“It was enjoyable. I tend to be under a lot of stress constantly. I’m quite anxious by nature. I remember thinking, ‘Oh no, am I dull? Does everyone dislike me?’” she reflected on the filming experience in 2024. “I tend to overanalyze every situation I find myself in. In the end, I believe it turned out really well.”

Molly teased that during the remainder of the season fans will see Craig Conover and Austen Kroll’s tension “escalate” and Salley Carson and Taylor Ann Green’s feud come to a head.

“I don’t engage in conflicts,” Molly stated, adding that while she does “test the waters occasionally, I strive to maintain a neutral stance.”

Southern Charm airs on Bravo Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET.