Below Deck Sailing Yacht bosun Gary King’s questionable behavior has finally caught up with him.
A former BDSY makeup artist has filed suit against both Bravo and Gary. She’s alleging that Gary sexually assaulted her while the show was filming back in 2022.
Reality Tea reported the production member’s allegations in August 2023. At the time, Samantha Suarez accused Gary of attempting to force himself on her during filming of BDSY Season 4.
Gary King allegedly held a production member hostage in his hotel room and attempted to sexually assault her
According to documents obtained by TMZ, Samantha alleges Gary acted inappropriately when she was asked to deliver a snack to his hotel room. In 2022, Covid restrictions required cast members to remain isolated in their rooms. In addition to makeup duties, Samantha delivered food and water to cast members isolated in their rooms.
When Samantha was in Gary’s room, she claims that he refused to allow her to leave. When she went to the door, she says he grabbed her, restraining her upper body and arms.
Gary had just finished filming some confessionals for the show, where he’d consumed unknown quantities of alcohol. It’s standard practice for producers to provide alcohol to cast members during interviews to make them more talkative.
Fearing she was about to be sexually assaulted, Samantha attempted to fight him off. She says he used his full weight to slam the door shut as she tried to leave, blocking her exit. Gary even suggested they should get into bed together, despite knowing she had a boyfriend.
Fortunately, Samantha’s phone rang while she was attempting to free herself. When she answered it and Gary realized they could be overheard, he finally allowed her to leave.
Though he initially admitted his behavior, Gary later denied the story amid support from his crewmates and Captain Glenn Shephard.
The fallout of Gary’s alleged attack on a makeup artist
Samantha says her boyfriend, Grey Duddleston, a BDSY production member, also reported the incident. Though Gary admitted the accusations, both Samantha and Grey were eventually fired. They were also added to a “do not hire” list.
When Gary’s future on the popular franchise seemed in question, he tried to backtrack and deny he did anything wrong. Though he was uninvited from BravoCon 2023, he was still featured in BDSY Season 5, which had already completed filming. Not wanting to scrap an entire season already in the can, Gary’s scenes were reportedly edited for Season 5. He also turned on the charm for producers, “trying to stay” on television.
“I know [that I did nothing wrong],” he said, reversing his previous admission of guilt. “I know the truth, but it still hurts when people will tell lies to bring you down.”
Samantha is now suing Bravo and Gary for sexual battery, hostile work environment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and more. She is also seeking financial compensation.
TMZ reached out to NBC and Bravo, but received no comment in return.
Below Deck Sailing Yacht is available for streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK THIS CASE WILL GO TO COURT? OR WILL BRAVO SETTLE TO KEEP IT OUT OF THE PRESS?
