Reality TV's Dark Side: Crew Members Speak Out

Imagine this: a reality TV show where the crew members are not just behind the cameras, but also the victims of alleged sexual misconduct. This isn't a plot twist from a dramatic series, but a real-life situation involving the popular show Below Deck. Two former crew members, Samantha Suarez and Grey Duddleston, have taken a stand against Bravo Media, NBCUniversal Media, and the show’s production company, 51 Minds Entertainment, along with cast member Gary King. They claim that the network and production company covered up King’s alleged misconduct. The incident in question happened during the filming of Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season Four in the summer of 2022. Suarez, who was a hair and makeup artist, went to King’s hotel room to drop off some water and snacks. What happened next is shocking. King opened the door in his underwear and refused to take the water. Suarez claims she walked past him to put the water inside the room. As she tried to leave, King allegedly lunged toward her and physically restrained her. Suarez managed to break free and ran towards the door, but King chased her and slammed the door shut, trapping her inside. She was able to escape only when another crew member called her cell phone, distracting King. The situation didn't end there. King, still in his underwear, followed Suarez into the hallway, grabbed her from behind, and kept asking what was wrong while rubbing her back. This is not the only incident. Duddleston, Suarez’s boyfriend at the time, witnessed King untie two female cast members’ bikini tops, make lewd remarks to a female audio technician, and grab two male camera operators’ genitals. When Duddleston reported these incidents, he was investigated for inappropriate use of the walkie-talkie system. Meanwhile, King was asked back to film Season Five of Below Deck Sailing Yacht, which aired in January.

Neither Suarez nor Duddleston were asked to return to the show after NBC’s investigation. They claim they are now on a “do not hire” list and virtually unemployable in their field. The lawsuit alleges sexual battery, assault, hostile work environment harassment, and false imprisonment, among other charges. They are seeking compensatory, punitive or exemplary damages, attorneys’ fees, and other relief. The lawsuit also highlights the broader issue of reality TV shows encouraging bad behavior for ratings. Many lawsuits have been filed against Bravo, highlighting alleged mistreatment of cast members. This lawsuit focuses on how reality shows exacerbate bad behavior in front of the camera and how this permeates the entire production. The incident between King and Suarez was first reported in August 2023. Two other Below Deck crew members who worked with Suarez at the time claimed she told them about the alleged encounter during filming. One crew member, who requested to remain anonymous, also alleged that they “constantly” witnessed King making other women on set uncomfortable with his aggressive pursuit of them. Three other people who did not work for Below Deck also spoke about the incident. Bravo and 51 Minds Entertainment have stated their commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful workplace. They claim to have appropriate workplace policies, trainings, and a clear process for reporting concerns. However, the lawsuit alleges that King was not fired despite admitting his actions. Instead, he was warned that he would be fired if something like that happened again. After the story was published, King was removed from marketing materials and promotions for BravoCon, Bravo’s annual convention for fans and stars. The premiere of Season Five was also delayed. Bravo received backlash online for airing the season featuring King, and King allegedly accused Suarez and Duddleston of seeking fame. This situation raises questions about the ethics of reality TV shows and the responsibility of production companies to protect their crew members. It’s a stark reminder that behind the glamour and drama, there are real people with real experiences.

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