RHONY’s Jill Zarin Addresses 'Below Deck' Backlash: Summer Without Cameras

RHONY s Jill Zarin Seemingly Responds to Below Deck Criticism No Cameras This Summer

Jill Zarin. Mireya Acierto/Getty Images for amfAR

Jill Zarin appeared to respond to her critics after her recent appearance on Below Deck.

In a now-deleted Instagram Story on Wednesday, April 3, the 60-year-old expressed her gratitude to her friends Melinda Springer and Noah Springer for a wonderful trip. She shared a photo of herself and Melinda on the yacht, mentioning that they had a great time together. Jill also mentioned that for their next summer trip, they preferred to keep it camera-free. She ended the post by expressing her love for both of them.

The former Real Housewives of New York star caused a stir when her guest appearance aired on April 1. While on the yacht, Jill's numerous requests annoyed the crew. Stew Barbie Pascal attempted to meet her demands but ended up feeling overwhelmed.

In a confessional, Barbie expressed her frustration, stating, "I find her annoying and her demands excessive. She's a guest who expects a lot without contributing. It's too much for me. I need another stew just to handle Jill."

Barbie initially felt upset with Jill, but after rewatching the episode, she realized that Jill wasn't as bad as she appeared on camera. In an Instagram Story video on Tuesday, April 2, Barbie shared, "You guys, I watched the show back, and I don’t think that Jill was as bad as it looked. And I just wanna also say that there were so many other moments where she was super fun and sweet and nice."

Jill not only requested additional items on the boat but also provided the crew with helpful suggestions on improving the management of the ship, from their bathroom amenities to their dining service.

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Jill suggested a new feature for the yacht to Fraser Olender, the chief stew, after expressing her dissatisfaction with the timing of her meal delivery. She mentioned having a button similar to a doorbell on her own yacht. She used to have a doorbell that would signal the kitchen staff.

Prior to the episode, Fraser and Captain Kerry Titheradge joked about how challenging it was to accommodate Jill during her time on the boat.

Fraser exclusively told We in February that Jill is sweet, lovely, and funny, but also quite demanding. He mentioned that all charter guests can be demanding because they have their own preferences that can sometimes be frustrating.

Fraser also revealed that Jill had a wild preference list for her stay, with the most memorable request being the type of ice she wanted.

He remembered that she only liked one type of ice from a particular freezer. We had to always have a special icebox that went wherever she went. It was amusing to me. If that's the main worry, then we should be fine.

Catch Below Deck season 11 on Bravo on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET. You can also stream new episodes the following day on Peacock.

Editor's P/S:

Jill Zarin's appearance on "Below Deck" sparked a range of reactions, with viewers expressing both amusement and annoyance at her demanding behavior. While some found her requests excessive, others acknowledged her willingness to provide constructive criticism for the crew.

Zarin's suggestions, such as installing a doorbell to alert the kitchen staff, highlighted her attention to detail and desire for efficiency. While her demands may have overwhelmed some of the crew, her intention was to improve their service and enhance the guest experience. Ultimately, Zarin's appearance on the show showcased the challenges and rewards of accommodating high-maintenance charter guests, while also providing a glimpse into the dynamics of a luxury yachting experience.