A former makeup artist, Samantha Suarez, has filed a lawsuit against “Below Deck Sailing Yacht” star Gary King, accusing him of sexual assault and battery. The suit, filed during the show’s Season 4 filming, also names the network Bravo. It alleges King attempted to force himself on her and that the production company failed to provide a safe work environment, ultimately retaliating against her for reporting the incident.
Lawsuit Details the Alleged Hotel Room Assault
The legal action stems from an incident in July 2022. Samantha Suarez claims that an intoxicated Gary King lured her into his hotel room under the false pretense of getting snacks for the crew.
According to court documents, once she was inside, King allegedly blocked the door, preventing her from leaving. The lawsuit states he grabbed her by the arms and pressed his body against hers. Suarez feared the situation would escalate into further sexual violence.
She was able to escape only when another crew member called out for her, creating a distraction. Suarez reported the incident to the production team immediately. The lawsuit alleges that while King admitted to the behavior when confronted by producers, he was not fired and was allowed to continue filming the season after receiving a warning.
Claims of Retaliation and Wrongful Termination
The lawsuit further alleges that production executives did not take meaningful action to protect the crew. Instead, Suarez claims she and her then-boyfriend, camera operator Grey Duddleston, faced professional retaliation for speaking up.
Duddleston reportedly witnessed a separate 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. Rather than addressing King’s behavior, production allegedly opened an investigation into Duddleston for “inappropriate use” of the communication device.
The lawsuit states that both Suarez and Duddleston were subsequently fired. They also claim they were placed on a “do not hire” list, effectively blacklisting them from future work with Bravo.
Other Crew Members Speak Out
Suarez first made her allegations public in an August 2023 interview with Rolling Stone. Following the article, other crew members came forward to describe King’s alleged pattern of inappropriate behavior. One crew member told the magazine, “He’s next-level scary with women.”
King has publicly denied all accusations against him. In a response to a fan on Instagram, he wrote, “I have never sexually harassed someone in my life, and I will never.” He also accused Suarez of lying about the incident.
| Individual / Entity | Role | Stance / Allegation |
|---|---|---|
| Samantha Suarez | Plaintiff, Former Makeup Artist | Accuses King of sexual assault and Bravo of retaliation. |
| Gary King | Defendant, “Below Deck” Star | Denies all allegations of sexual misconduct. |
| Bravo | Defendant, Network | Accused of creating a hostile work environment and wrongful termination. |
| Grey Duddleston | Former Camera Operator | Allegedly fired in retaliation for reporting King’s behavior. |
Bravo Faces Scrutiny as King Returns to TV
Despite the public allegations and the ongoing legal battle, Gary King returned for Season 5 of “Below Deck Sailing Yacht,” which aired from October 2024 to January 2025. His continued presence on the popular reality show has sparked significant backlash from fans and former employees.
The lawsuit raises serious questions about accountability and safety protocols on reality television sets. Suarez is suing Bravo on multiple grounds, including:
- Creating a hostile work environment
- Retaliation for reporting misconduct
- Wrongful termination
Bravo has not yet released an official statement regarding the lawsuit or King’s future with the franchise. As the case moves forward, many are watching to see how the network will handle the allegations against one of its prominent reality stars.
