Former Real Housewife of New York City, Jill Zarin, has voiced her discontent with the latest season of Below Deck, particularly targeting head stew Fraser Olender for what she describes as a “complete disaster” of a charter trip. The reality TV personality, known for her discerning tastes and high expectations, did not hold back in her criticisms during a recent podcast appearance.
Zarin, who joined the cast of Below Deck for its eleventh season, expected nothing short of top-notch service given the hefty price tag her friends reportedly paid for the charter – a staggering $45,000. However, she found herself disappointed with the experience, attributing much of the blame to Olender’s performance as head stew.
According to Zarin, Olender failed to ensure a seamless experience for her and her friends aboard the luxury yacht, resulting in what she perceived as a string of mishaps and unmet expectations. Despite her own reputation for being demanding, Zarin insists that her dissatisfaction stemmed from a lack of professionalism on Olender’s part.
During an episode of the podcast “Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald,” Zarin candidly expressed her frustration: “It was the head stew’s job to make sure things went seamlessly, and I kind of blame him for the trip being kind of a total disaster for my friends.”
The fallout from Zarin’s appearance on Below Deck has been mixed, with some viewers accusing her of overshadowing the primary charter guests and disrupting the crew’s workflow. Zarin, however, maintains that her friends’ desire to be on television motivated her participation in the show, despite the negative portrayal she received.
Reflecting on her experience, Zarin admitted that she would not repeat the endeavor, citing concerns over the potential damage to her reputation. She expressed disappointment with how the Below Deck crew handled her interactions, feeling that her humor and personality were not accurately represented on screen.
As the debate surrounding Zarin’s Below Deck appearance continues, it remains to be seen whether her criticisms will prompt any response from the show’s producers or crew members. For now, Zarin stands by her assessment of the charter trip and remains adamant about her reluctance to return to the Below Deck franchise.
