The $10 Million Battle: 5 Shocking Revelations In Samantha Suarez And Grey Duddleston's Lawsuit Against Bravo And Gary King

The legal storm surrounding the hit reality franchise Below Deck has intensified, with former crew members Samantha Suarez and Grey Duddleston at the center of a high-stakes lawsuit that has rocked the industry. The couple, who worked as a hair/makeup artist and camera operator, respectively, on Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 4, filed an explosive complaint against star Gary King, Bravo Media, NBCUniversal, and the production companies, alleging sexual battery, assault, and a massive cover-up by the network. This article, updated in December 2025, provides the most recent developments, including filings from early 2025, that reveal the current status of this landmark case.

The case of Suarez and Duddleston is more than just a celebrity scandal; it is a critical examination of labor practices, workplace safety, and accountability within the reality television ecosystem. Their joint legal action, filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks to hold powerful entities responsible for alleged misconduct that occurred during the 2022 filming season, bringing unprecedented scrutiny to the glamorous world of superyacht reality TV.

Complete Profile: Who Are Samantha Suarez and Grey Duddleston?

Samantha Suarez and Grey Duddleston are a couple who transitioned from behind-the-scenes roles in the entertainment industry to the public eye as plaintiffs in a major legal battle.

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• Samantha Suarez: A professional hair and makeup artist. She served as the Head of Department for Hair/Makeup Combo during the filming of Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 4 (June–August 2022). Suarez’s career path was driven by an early fascination with beauty and art, leading her to New York City to train with top artists in the industry. Her role on the show placed her in close proximity to the cast members, which is central to her allegations.
• Grey Duddleston: A professional camera operator and an Atlanta native. Duddleston was part of the production crew for Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 4, working alongside Suarez. His position as a camera operator and as Suarez’s then-boyfriend (he is referred to as her boyfriend in the initial lawsuit filings) is crucial, as his complaint includes allegations that he witnessed King's repeated misconduct and harassment, and that he was wrongfully terminated after reporting the incidents.
• The Relationship: The couple were in a relationship during the filming of the show, which adds a layer of complexity to the case, as Duddleston’s allegations stem from witnessing the alleged abuse against his partner and the subsequent retaliation he faced for speaking out.

The Core Allegations: Sexual Battery and Wrongful Termination

The lawsuit filed by Samantha Suarez and Grey Duddleston is comprehensive, covering 16 causes of action against the defendants. It paints a disturbing picture of a toxic work environment and a calculated effort to suppress the truth.

The Alleged Incident Involving Samantha Suarez

The central claim in the lawsuit is the allegation of sexual battery and assault against *Below Deck Sailing Yacht* star Gary King. Suarez alleges that during the filming of Season 4 in 2022, King attempted to sexually assault her. The complaint details that the incident occurred in a hotel room after filming had wrapped for the night. Suarez claims that King, while intoxicated, forced himself upon her, an act she vehemently resisted. The allegations state that production staff, specifically a field producer, was aware of the incident, yet allegedly failed to intervene adequately or report the matter to the proper authorities, instead covering it up to protect the show's star and the production schedule.

Grey Duddleston’s Claims of Witnessing Misconduct

Grey Duddleston’s involvement in the lawsuit is equally significant. As a camera operator, he alleges that he witnessed a pattern of inappropriate and harassing behavior by Gary King throughout the season. More critically, Duddleston claims that after the alleged assault on Suarez, he was a key witness to the aftermath and the production’s response. His complaint includes a claim of wrongful termination, stating he was fired or not rehired after he reported the misconduct and criticized the production's handling of the situation. This aspect of the case focuses on the alleged retaliation taken by 51 Minds Entertainment and NBCUniversal against an employee who attempted to report a serious workplace violation.

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The Latest Legal Update: March 2025 Filings

For those following the case closely, the most recent developments as of late 2025 are crucial. The legal proceedings have moved past the initial filing and into the defense's response phase, revealing the strategies of the powerful media companies involved.

NBCUniversal Seeks Dismissal: Court records indicate that in early 2025, NBCUniversal, one of the primary defendants, filed a motion seeking dismissal from the lawsuit. This is a common legal tactic where a defendant argues that the claims against them lack legal merit or that they are not the appropriate party to be sued. The filing on February 25, 2025, specifically names Duddleston Grey as a plaintiff in the updated case file. The network is likely arguing that the production company, 51 Minds Entertainment, or the individual, Gary King, should be the sole focus of the claims, attempting to distance the parent company, Bravo, and NBCUniversal from the liability.

The Production Companies' Stance: The lawsuit against 51 Minds Entertainment and Endemol Shine focuses heavily on the "cover-up" narrative. Suarez and Duddleston argue that the production companies prioritized the continuity of the show and the protection of a key cast member over the safety and well-being of the crew. The legal battle in 2025 is expected to center on internal documents, email communications, and testimony from other crew members to prove or disprove the extent of the production’s knowledge and involvement in the alleged cover-up.

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Topical Authority: The Broader Implications for Reality TV

The lawsuit filed by Samantha Suarez and Grey Duddleston has transcended a simple workplace dispute, becoming a landmark case that directly challenges the operating procedures of major reality television franchises.

Workplace Safety in Reality TV: The case highlights a systemic issue within the genre: the blurred lines between cast and crew, and the often-unregulated working environment of a production set—especially on a yacht. Duddleston’s claim of wrongful termination after reporting a safety issue brings to the forefront the vulnerability of behind-the-scenes staff when confronting powerful on-screen talent.

The "Bravo Morass": Industry observers have referred to the growing number of legal disputes involving the network as a "Bravo morass." This lawsuit, alongside others, is forcing a public debate on whether the network and its parent company, NBCUniversal, have adequate policies in place to protect employees from harassment and assault, particularly when alcohol is a factor, as is often the case on Below Deck.

Accountability for On-Screen Talent: For Gary King, the lawsuit has had immediate and significant professional consequences. While the legal process is ongoing, the public allegations have severely damaged his reputation and have led to speculation about his future involvement with the *Below Deck* franchise. The case serves as a warning shot to reality stars that their actions, even when filmed off-camera, can lead to severe legal and professional repercussions.

As the case moves through the Los Angeles Superior Court, the outcome will set a powerful precedent. Whether the court agrees with NBCUniversal’s bid for dismissal or allows the claims of sexual battery and wrongful termination to proceed to trial, the story of Samantha Suarez and Grey Duddleston has already forced a critical, long-overdue conversation about accountability and safety standards in the high-pressure world of reality television production.