Jill Zarin Opens Up About Relationship with Fraser Olender Post-'Below Deck' Controversy (Exclusive)

Jill Zarin Claims Fraser Olender Wouldn t Defend Her After Below Deck Drama

Getty Images (2)

Jill Zarin is sharing an update on her relationship with Fraser Olender following his lack of public support for her during her appearance on Below Deck.

In an exclusive interview with We, Jill, 60, revealed that she and Fraser initially maintained a friendship for a year. However, she admitted that after that time, she had no desire to communicate with him. This remained the case until just recently.

Jill's appearance on Below Deck has sparked a lot of talk among viewers and cast members because of her extensive preference sheet for St. David.

According to Jill, Fraser even apologized to her, expressing empathy for the negative attention she was receiving. He reassured her by saying, "I feel bad about the bad pressure you're getting. You don't deserve it. You're a nice lady. You didn't do anything wrong." Jill then asked him to address the situation publicly, but he did not.

The former Real Housewives of New York City star emphasized that she has no intention of repairing her friendship with Fraser. She stated, "I'm finished. He doesn't want to listen." Despite her efforts to connect with him on Instagram, his response was simply, "I feel bad that you are receiving hate that you don't deserve." When she requested for him to speak up, he chose to ignore her.

During Jill's two-day charter, she offered some suggestions for improvement to the crew. Not everyone on the yacht appreciated her feedback. Stew Barbie Pascual specifically described Jill as "overwhelming" and "freeloading," but she has since retracted those statements.

Jill appreciated the support she received from Barbie and Kyle Viljoen from Below Deck Mediterranean. According to Jill, Kyle defended her by stating that her requests were not unreasonable, mean, or disrespectful. Instead, he acknowledged her empathy towards the crew's workload and expressed concern for their well-being.

Despite expressing empathy and understanding towards the crew's challenges, Jill was surprised by Fraser's negative response once the episodes started airing. On screen, Fraser claimed to "just hate Jill" while not showing animosity towards other guests.

I had a fantastic time with Fraser and Barbie. We laughed, had fun, and enjoyed ourselves. I believe they are doing a great job with their TV show, although sometimes they might go overboard with production," she shared. "After leaving the boat, I sent Fraser a direct message thanking him for the incredible experience. I expressed how much fun we had and mentioned I would love to keep in touch.

The former Bravo star used this opportunity to provide some constructive feedback by sending a list of areas where the crew could make improvements.

What Is the Best Reality Franchise of All Time?

"He wrote back, ‘I’ll write it down. Thank you so much. Let’s stay in touch. Love to see you again,'" Jill continued. "Did he ever complain about me or say, ‘I don’t ever want to talk to her?’ [No], because I was nice."

Jill did not regret her time on the show, but she wanted to share her perspective after the drama. She expressed, "My friends and I had a great time on the show. However, I was upset by the negative comments made about me without giving me a chance to defend myself."

Before Jill's episodes aired on Below Deck, Fraser had only positive things to say about her. He mentioned, "She's sweet, lovely, and funny, but she can be demanding at times." Fraser explained that all guests on the show can be demanding due to their preferences and it can sometimes be frustrating.

Jill had some specific requests, like only wanting Diet Coke instead of Diet Pepsi. She even joked about being "allergic to sugar."

Fraser shared his thoughts on Jill's unexpected request, mentioning, "The issue was with the ice. She didn't like any ice except for a particular type from a specific freezer. We had to make sure she had that specific ice wherever she went. Personally, I think it's funny. If that's our biggest concern, then we should be fine."

Below Deck season 11 airs on Bravo Mondays at 9 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the next day on Peacock.

With reporting by Johnni Macke

Editor's P/S:

Jill Zarin's experience on Below Deck has sparked controversy, with her extensive preference sheet and interactions with the crew generating mixed reactions. While her initial friendship with Fraser Olender has since soured, she has received support from other cast members, such as Barbie Pascual and Kyle Viljoen, who have defended her requests as reasonable and empathetic. Zarin's decision to share her perspective highlights the challenges of navigating the public scrutiny that comes with reality television, where personal interactions and behaviors are amplified for entertainment purposes.

Zarin's disappointment with Fraser's lack of public support during her appearance on Below Deck underscores the importance of genuine friendship and loyalty. Despite her efforts to maintain a connection with him, his reluctance to speak out on her behalf has left her feeling hurt and betrayed. This incident serves as a reminder that relationships can be tested when individuals are faced with public pressure and conflicting priorities.