"Below Deck Sailing Yacht" Star Gary King Hit with Sexual Battery Lawsuit After Alleged Hotel Room Incident.
In a shocking legal battle, Below Deck Sailing Yacht star Gary King has been slapped with a lawsuit accusing him of sexual battery, harassment, and wrongful termination. Former crew members Samantha Suarez and Grey Duddleston are suing King, Bravo, NBCUniversal, and production company 51 Minds after a disturbing incident that allegedly occurred during the filming of Season 4.
The Disturbing Allegations:
The lawsuit, filed on February 25, 2025, paints a harrowing picture of Suarez’s encounter with King on July 3, 2022, while the crew was filming the hit Bravo series. According to Suarez, she was instructed by production to bring snacks and bottled water to King’s hotel room. What followed was nothing short of horrifying.
When Suarez entered the room, King—reportedly intoxicated—allegedly grabbed her, pinning her against him and pressing his body against hers. Suarez described her desperate attempts to escape, kicking, elbowing, and screaming to break free. When she finally managed to get to the door, King allegedly slammed it shut, trapping her inside. She was terrified and braced herself, fearing for her safety.
It wasn’t until Suarez received a phone call that King let go, only to follow her into the hallway in his underwear, allegedly making inappropriate physical advances. Suarez demanded he return to his room, and King reluctantly complied.
The Aftermath: Retaliation and Silence:
What followed the attack only adds fuel to the fire. Suarez claims she reported the incident to Below Deck Sailing Yacht's co-executive producer, Ryan Veercamp, who expressed shock and concern. The lawsuit states that after a conversation between King and the show's showrunner, Courtland Cox, King admitted to the accusations and apologized. Despite this, the show failed to remove him from the production.
Two weeks later, Suarez’s boyfriend and fellow crew member, Grey Duddleston, allegedly witnessed King groping two female cast members, making sexually inappropriate comments to other crew members, and even grabbing the genitals of camera operators—all while intoxicated. Duddleston reported this behavior in real-time, but instead of taking action, production allegedly reprimanded him for "improper use of the walkie-talkie system."
In an even more chilling twist, Suarez was reportedly told to stay silent about the incident to avoid "tainting the investigation." As for Duddleston, it became apparent that his claims were dismissed as "baseless."
Wrongful Termination and the "Do Not Hire" List:
The most shocking part? Suarez and Duddleston were both allegedly placed on a "do not hire" list after reporting King’s actions. Instead of being protected, they were reportedly punished for speaking out and ultimately excluded from future opportunities within the industry.
The Lawsuit Demands:
Now, the two are fighting back. Suarez and Duddleston are seeking substantial damages for emotional distress, lost wages, and the trauma they endured. They also demand civil penalties, punitive damages, attorney's fees, and a public apology.
In the face of these serious allegations, Bravo and King have yet to comment, but this case highlights the need for significant change in how sexual harassment and misconduct are handled on reality TV sets.
A Bigger Issue at Hand:
This lawsuit raises major questions about the responsibility of production companies and networks in safeguarding cast and crew members from abuse. With the #MeToo movement still resonating in the entertainment industry, this case could mark a pivotal moment in how we address and prevent misconduct in the workplace, especially in reality TV.
If the lawsuit is successful, it could have wide-reaching implications, not just for Gary King, but for every reality TV show that operates in this high-stakes, often unchecked environment.
Stay tuned as this shocking case continues to unfold.
Key Takeaways:
- Former Below Deck star Gary King faces sexual battery and wrongful termination lawsuit.
- Crew members allege disturbing misconduct, including an attempted assault and retaliation from production.
- The plaintiffs seek substantial damages and a public apology.
- The case highlights larger issues in reality TV regarding cast safety and misconduct accountability.
