September 16th 2024.
Fans of Below Deck Sailing Yacht were in for a surprise as the season 5 trailer dropped today. However, the excitement quickly turned to anger as the trailer featured Gary King, who is currently facing sexual assault allegations. King, who first appeared on the Bravo spin-off series in 2021, has been a mainstay on the show alongside Captain Glenn Shephard and chief stewardess Daisy Kelliher.
Last year, viewers were shocked when a crew member came forward with allegations that King had tried to force himself on her behind the scenes. These accusations emerged after filming for the fifth series had already been completed, leaving many wondering if it would ever air due to the controversy. Despite this, the dramatic teaser released today shows King and Kelliher at the forefront of the drama on board. It is unclear how much of a role King will have in the upcoming season, but viewers were outraged and called out Bravo for still featuring him on the show.
In the comments section of the official Below Deck page, fans expressed their disappointment and disgust. Some even questioned why King was allowed to return to the show, given the serious allegations against him. On Reddit, fans shared similar sentiments, with some stating that they were not looking forward to seeing King on their screens again.
The allegations against King first surfaced in August of last year when a former crew member, Samantha Suarez, claimed that he had sexually assaulted her during filming for season four in Sardinia. Suarez alleged that King was drunk and behaving erratically, and when she tried to contain him in his room, he suggested for her to join him in bed. She also claimed that King had greeted her in his underwear, grabbed her from behind, and refused to let go. She immediately reported the incident to producers and expressed her discomfort working around King. Other crew members also came forward with similar stories, with one alleging that King had touched her inappropriately multiple times.
Despite these allegations, King returned for the following season, while Suarez and the other crew member who had spoken out were not asked to come back. King has since denied all allegations against him, stating that people will do anything to bring others down. A Bravo spokesperson and the production company behind Below Deck, 51 Minds Entertainment, stated that they take these accusations seriously and have protocols in place to ensure a safe and respectful workplace for everyone involved in their productions.
Captain Glenn Shephard also faced some tough moments in the season 5 trailer, hinting at the high drama that will unfold on board. Bravo has declined to comment on the situation when approached by media outlets. As the premiere date for the new season approaches, fans are left wondering how King's presence will impact the show and if justice will be served for the alleged victims.
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