Below Deck's Ben Embraces Fans' Mistake: Revelations on Kate Chastain's Son's Paternity Earns Him High Praise

Kate Chastain and Ben Robinson are unfazed by the false rumors circulating about him being the father of her 3-month-old son, Sullivan. "I don't see any resemblance between them. All I can do is laugh about it. It's actually a flattering compliment to Ben, so I'm happy for him," Chastain, 40, shared exclusively with We on Monday, August 7. This statement was made during a joint interview with Captain Lee about their upcoming Bravo series, Couch Talk With Captain Lee and Kate.

The ex-Below Deck celebrity, who gave birth to her son in May, expressed that Robinson, aged 42, finds the speculation amusing. She stated, "I believe he enjoys it. Ben definitely loves it more than I do."

Chastain has been responding to inquiries about her son's paternity ever since she made her pregnancy announcement in December 2022. After confirming her decision to raise her child alone, Chastain strongly criticized suggestions that Robinson is secretly Sullivan's father.

“It’s becoming increasingly tiresome to receive daily comments and messages referring to me as ‘baby Ben!’” she tweeted at the end of last month, accompanied by pictures of Robinson, whom she had a short-lived relationship with from 2014 to 2015, and her son as infants. “Just to clarify, on the left is Ben as a baby, while Sullivan is on the right. They are clearly not related.”

Chastain has shown much more enthusiasm when it comes to discussing the developmental milestones of her baby boy.

Kate Chastain. Stephanie Diani/Bravo

"It's satisfying to receive some reciprocation, like a smile or a giggle, when you put in all this effort. It's a pleasant feeling. At this age, they constantly change and every day brings something new, which is what keeps you hooked," she joked to Us on Monday. "Despite the amount of work involved, each day brings a fresh surprise. It keeps you deeply in love with them, and they surely know how to do that."

She additionally shared insight into her ongoing experience as a new mother.

Sullivan is now three months old, and I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of things. I'm truly enjoying this experience, even though I'm constantly surprised by how much work it requires. And that's coming from someone who was known for working hard on Below Deck. It's a fulfilling and demanding job that I absolutely adore," Chastain revealed. "Luckily, postpartum hasn't been a big issue for me because I've been so focused on taking care of my baby. I feel very fortunate in that regard, and I'm completely obsessed with him."

She went on to say, "Before I had Sullivan, many of my friends and family would tell me, 'Kate, it's okay if you don't immediately bond with your baby. Don't feel guilty.' I was taken aback and wondered if their own children were aware of this advice they were giving me. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have felt love for my son from the very beginning."

Captain Lee, 73, has expressed great joy in witnessing his offscreen friend start a new chapter in her life. During a joint interview, he emphasized the crucial role of being a parent and advised Kate to prioritize parenthood over friendship while her children are growing up.

Chastain has been enjoying her first months with Sullivan, but Bravo fans should not expect to see the little one on screen yet. Kate explained that she and Captain Lee occasionally watch Bravo's Couch Talk after Sullivan's bedtime, but in their household, Sullivan must be a Bravo fan, as that's all they watch.

Chastain expressed her delight in reuniting with Captain Lee and mentioned that one of the highlights has been listening to his insightful opinions on various Bravo topics. She described him as consistently funny, and even though she is continually taken aback by his humor, she has come to accept it. In regards to their Couch Talk series, Captain Lee views it as a project that was overdue and eagerly anticipated.

"I have been eagerly anticipating this for years because I've always believed that Kate and I have a unique chemistry that complements each other perfectly. I had attempted to propose a talk show concept to Bravo in the past, but they were initially uninterested until they finally agreed," he revealed to Us. "Engaging in this endeavor is much simpler compared to filming Below Deck. It brings back the nostalgia of the good old days. Whenever a task arises, Kate takes charge without any worries or concerns."

Couch Talk With Captain Lee and Kate will make its debut on Bravo on Monday, August 14 at 10 p.m.

With reporting by Christina Garibaldi