A former makeup artist has taken legal action against Below Deck Sailing Yacht star Gary King, accusing him of sexual battery and assault during the filming of Season 4. The lawsuit, which also names Bravo, alleges King attempted to force himself on her and that the network failed to take appropriate action.
Allegations Against King and Bravo’s Response
Samantha Suarez, a makeup artist who worked on the Bravo reality series, claims that King lured her into his hotel room under the pretense of getting snacks in July 2022. According to the lawsuit, King was allegedly intoxicated when he blocked her exit, restrained her by the arms, and leaned against the door, preventing her from leaving.
Suarez feared that the situation could escalate into sexual violence until a crew member allegedly called out for her. That moment, she claims, allowed her to escape. She immediately reported the incident to the production team, which launched an internal investigation.
Documents from the lawsuit state that King admitted to his behavior when confronted by producers. However, he was not fired. Instead, he reportedly received a warning and was allowed to continue filming.
Claims of Retaliation and Wrongful Termination
Despite reporting the incident, Suarez alleges that production executives failed to take meaningful action. She claims that both she and her then-boyfriend, Grey Duddleston—a camera operator on the show—faced retaliation for speaking out.
Duddleston allegedly witnessed another troubling incident where King untied the bikini tops of two female cast members without their consent. He used the crew’s walkie-talkie system to report it, but instead of supporting him, production allegedly opened an investigation into him for “inappropriate use” of the communication device.
Both Suarez and Duddleston were ultimately fired, the lawsuit states. Additionally, they claim they were placed on a “do not hire” list within Bravo’s production circles, effectively blacklisting them from future work.
Other Crew Members Speak Out
Suarez first brought her allegations to light in an August 2023 interview with Rolling Stone. At that time, other crew members came forward, describing King’s alleged history of making female staff uncomfortable.
One unnamed crew member told the publication, “He’s next-level scary with women.” Others shared similar accounts of inappropriate behavior, adding to the growing concerns about King’s presence on set.
King, however, has denied all allegations. In response to a fan’s comment on Instagram, he wrote, “I have never sexually harassed someone in my life, and I will never.” He also accused Suarez of lying.
King Returns to TV Despite Accusations
Despite the lawsuit and prior allegations, King returned for Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5, which premiered in October 2024 and concluded in January 2025. His continued presence on the show has sparked backlash among fans and former employees alike.
Bravo has yet to release an official statement regarding the lawsuit or King’s future on the series. Representatives for the network did not respond to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
The legal battle raises broader concerns about how reality TV production companies handle allegations of misconduct behind the scenes. Suarez is suing Bravo for creating a hostile work environment, retaliation, and wrongful termination.
As the case progresses, it remains to be seen whether the network will take further action or continue to support one of its most controversial reality stars.
