Southern Charm's Salley Carson Slides Into Eagles Player Cooper DeJean's DMs

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Reality TV star Salley Carson revealed on the 'Not Skinny But Not Fat' podcast that she has slid into the Instagram DMs of Philadelphia Eagles player Cooper DeJean, despite DeJean being rumored to be dating WWE star Nikki Bella. Carson said she's 'scared' Bella 'is going to beat my ass' if she continues pursuing DeJean.

Why it matters

This story highlights the drama and intrigue surrounding celebrity dating lives, as well as the risks reality stars take when trying to connect with high-profile athletes on social media. It also touches on the potential for conflict when multiple public figures show interest in the same person.

The details

Carson, a 31-year-old 'Southern Charm' star, said she has been 'liking' DeJean's Instagram posts and has even DMed him, to which he replied. She noted that DeJean, 23, is 'dating, or not dating, casually seeing a 43-year-old right now,' referring to the 42-year-old Bella. Carson said she sent DeJean an article about his rumored relationship with Bella and asked if they were dating. While DeJean has denied dating Bella in interviews, the WWE star has posted photos suggesting a connection between the two.

• In late 2025, rumors began circulating that DeJean and Bella were dating.
• Earlier this month, Bella seemed to confirm her romance with DeJean after weeks of buzz.

What they’re saying

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Salley Carson and Cooper DeJean will meet in person, and whether Nikki Bella will address the situation with Carson directly.