The former 'The Real Housewives of New York City' star lands in hot water for coming off as 'rude' and acting like a diva during her appearance in the latest episode of the yachting series.
- Apr 3, 2024
AceShowbiz - A cast member of "Below Deck" has spoken out after Jill Zarin landed in hot water for coming off as "rude" in the Monday, April 1 episode of the yachting series. Stewardess Barbara Pascual a.k.a. Barbie made use of her Instagram account to defend the former "The Real Housewives of New York City" star's behavior in the episode.
"I don't think that Jill was as bad as it looked," Barbie said in a video shared on Instagram Stories. "I just want to say that there were many other moments where she was super fun and sweet and nice."
"Even though she was really demanding, she wasn't rude. The things that she wanted was actually normal yacht requirements. … It's not a big deal," she continued. In another video, she stressed that Jill "wasn't so bad." She also took back her words on the "RHONY" alum, who reposted the videos on her Instagram account.
In the episode, the former Bravo personality was seen staying on the superyacht as a friend of the primary guest. However, she appeared to try to take control as Barbie said in a confessional, "Jill is the primary in her head. She's overwhelming."
Jill further rubbed Barbie the wrong way when she demanded different-shaped ice cubes for her Diet Coke. "I don't care about anyone else. My Diet Cokes [go] into the freezer," Jill told Barbie.
Not stopping there, the 60-year-old annoyed Barbie with a "special request" for a makeup mirror. She also complained about not being able to find an electrical outlet in the bathroom before criticizing the lack of toiletries in the bathrooms.
"I want to tell you something else, because I've charted a lot of yachts before [and] every bathroom is loaded with toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, Band-Aids, Q-Tips - has anyone ever said that before?" Jill told Barbie. "I like to complain, I'm sorry."
Jill later asked Chief Stew Fraser Olender to give her a bell to make it easier to call the crew anytime they needed anything. The former Housewife also made it clear that she's not a fan of food as she asked the crew to provide snacks "out all the time."
Jill thought that what she did was necessary as she told the primary guest, "That's why I have to get involved. I'm a little pushy but at least you'll be satisfied."
Barbie wasn't the only one who found Jill insufferable. One of the crew members said, "I think she's annoying, and I think it's too much. You're a freeloading guest who's extremely demanding. This is too much for me. I need another stew just for Jill."
Fraser also put Jill on blast, noting, "Jill is crawling into my brain and eating away at my soul." Chef Anthony Iracane, who was asked to make Jill a separate meal of chicken pad thai, sushi and crudite for dinner, also slammed the star. "I think the primary, she's OK, but her friend taking over the boat, it's like she's a f**king captain," he said. "Like taking over the ship."
Upon watching the episode, fans immediately took to social media to criticize Jill for her diva behavior. "Watching #BelowDeck and just unfollowed Jill Zarin. I knew she could be a pain sometimes but I thought overall as a person that she was kind and considerate. Clearly, I was wrong. My parents would be so ashamed of me if I treated ppl that way," one viewer wrote on X, previously known as Twitter.
The person wasn't the only one hitting the unfollow button after watching the episode. "I unfollowed Jill Zarin I hope everybody follows along," one other urged. "She is a terrible, entitled you know what. She wasn't even the primary and was given everybody orders I would've thrown her over the boat. #BelowDeck."
Another called Jill an "a**hole," adding, "It's not impressive. It's not attractive. It's just gross. And yes, I'm talking to you Jill Zarin.. and so many others I see on these shows. I would be SO embarrassed to have people see me act like a spoiled brat. #BelowDeck."
"Jill Zarin is so self-important, demanding, and privileged. She acted as if she were the primary. Fraser let himself get caught up in it so that service and the food suffered. Jill is insufferable. #BelowDeck," one other added. Other users called Jill "rude," "mean" and "absolutely insufferable."
