‘Southern Charm’ Star Kathryn Dennis Not Phased By Season 4 Sobriety Gossip, Custody Battle

“Southern Charm” is back for what may be its most dramatic season to date. Season 4 kicked off on Monday with a strong focus on Kathryn Dennis’ struggle with drugs, which lead to a custody battle.

Despite her downtrodden storyline, Kathryn says “Southern Charm” Season 4 is helping her grow. She admits to People magazine that she was angry at first watching her Bravo co-stars gossip about her, but that’s changed. Now the mother of two sees that she’s lived “a more realized life.”

“When I see things, of course I feel that natural, knee-jerk anger,” she told People. “But afterward I think to myself, ‘these people are so —’ I don’t want to use the word shallow, but they’re like potatoes and I’m the meat. I’m real and straightforward, and I’d rather live like that any day than be somebody that’s spending their time judging others. I don’t care about their lives and their personal choices.”

Kathryn told the publication that a lesser woman may have crumbled under the pressure she’s felt from her “Southern Charm” co-stars. She, however, has risen above it. Older and wiser, Kathryn says she realizes the key has been to stay true to herself through the trials and tribulations.

“I was so much younger than them [when the show began], and they used that as a catalyst to launch this smear campaign. Rather than fail, I kind of rose from the ashes of whatever that situation was. And guess what! I’m still the same person I always was. I’m strong and resilient and I don’t give a damn.”

While Kathryn says she’s above the drama, there is one aspect of “Southern Charm” Season 4 that’s been hard for her. In another interview, Kathryn told People that she struggled to watch her custody battle over her two kids play out. In fact, it’s something that still weighs heavy on her in her personal life.

“There are so many days when I just see a toy or something randomly misplaced and break down in tears,” she said.

The “Southern Charm” star remains more committed than ever to her sobriety. She told ET Online she’s doing “great, better than ever.” She said that going to rehab helped her kick her addictions and learn some important life skills.

“You know, it’s been a long haul. But I feel more me than I’ve ever felt in a long time,” she said. “I’m really at peace with everything. What I went through wasn’t just addressing drug, alcohol whatever; it was more beneficial in life skills. And honestly, in a way, I think everyone should go to some type of rehab ‘cause you just learn so much about people and life. And I think that’s really been key.”

As for the show, Kathryn and her various struggles will continue to play a pivotal role in Season 4. Based on the trailer, seen above, her partying, custody woes and issues with both former beau Thomas Ravenel and foe Landon Clements will be central to the show’s plot. Viewers can expect plenty of blowouts and bombshells.

“Southern Charm” airs Mondays at 9 p.m. EDT on Bravo.