Below Deck season 10 replacement stewardess Leigh-Ann Smith blasted Lead Deckhand Ben Willoughby‘s shady behavior in dating her in Florida after the show and then ghosting her once the show began airing on Bravo. In a scathing seven-page Instagram post, Leigh-Ann explained in text how Ben and her got together after his ill-fated romantic Dominican Republic trip with fired deck-stew Camille Lamb. Ben and Leigh-Ann then got together and rented an apartment in Florida for a month.
Leigh-Ann claims they spent “each and every day together”. She said she was “a shoulder to lean on” when Ben was getting over his breakup with Camille. “I did everything in my will to put a smile on his face everyday even though it was killing my own mental health.”
Leigh-Ann also post a heartfelt video with receipts documenting their relationship with pictures and video. Several times they lay in bed goofing around in their shared apartment. In other clips they go to the beach and eat meals together. The videos show they were quite close with one another.
Leigh-Ann kissing Ben on a beach in Florida while they were dating (Instagram).
Leigh-Ann explaining her relationship with Ben after the show (Instagram).
Leigh-Ann’s statement about what happened with her and Ben (Instagram).
The yachtie chief stew was shocked Ben treated her so poorly (Instagram).
Leigh-Ann tells other women to know their value and not let themselves be treated so poorly by a guy.
The end of Leigh-Ann’s statement on her relationship with Ben (Instagram).
Leigh-Ann And Ben Planned Future Together During Relationship After Below Deck Season 10
Ben driving while Leigh-Ann takes a video of him (Instagram).
In response, Ben claims he “had to cut her out of my life as my mental space was taking a toll.” He also took no responsibility for the allegations Ben led Leigh-Ann on.
Leigh-Ann and Ben goofing around in bed together (Instagram).
“I needed a space to actually have my own thoughts, make my own decisions in stead [sic] of someone trying to force me to fall for them. I felt like I was gaslighted into thinking I was wrong for loving Camille and that’s not what someone who says they have you’re [sic] best interest at heart would do,” Ben counter attacked in an Instagram story.
Ben’s response statement to Leigh-Ann blasting him for leading her on (Instagram).
Meanwhile, he’s sharing his apparent love story with Camille on his Instagram.
Leigh-Ann said at one point her and Ben were planning to travel and work together. They even discussed Aussie Willoughby coming back to South Africa with Leigh-Ann (her home country). However, Ben found a job and Leigh-Ann returned home on her own. But they kept “in contact regularly” until Ben decided to cut off all contact and ghost her as the show began to air.
Leigh-Ann Explains How She Didn’t Know Ben’s True Character Until Watching The Show
Ben and Leigh-Ann in their apartment together in Florida when they dated after Below Deck season 10 (Instagram).
Leigh-Ann and Ben matched on Tinder in June of 2021 as they were both traveling yachties. They spoke for nine months on Instagram before fatefully meeting on the set of Below Deck season 10 on superyacht St. David.
She explained she decided to pursue Ben after he repeatedly expressed interest while filming. Leigh-Ann claims Ben “brushed” off his relationship with Camille and continued to flirt with her. She also told fans to realize they only see 1% of what goes on during the show and “most moments we shared were not aired”.
Leigh-Ann’s message suggests more might’ve happened between Ben and her while staying in the guest cabin together. She said he only told her he wanted to pursue something with Camille still the following day. Apparently Leigh-Ann met Camille after filming and wished them well.
Camille and Leigh-Ann meeting after Below Deck season 10 wrapped up filming (Instagram).
Leigh-Ann’s statement on her relationship with Ben after Below Deck season 10 (Instagram).
More of Leigh-Ann’s story on Instagram.
Leigh-Ann giving more details about what happened between Ben and her (Instagram).
Below Deck fans are now dragging Ben for playing Leigh-Ann and ghosting her.
This among other drama likely explains why Bravo decided to pull the plug on a Below Deck season 10 reunion episode. Ben reportedly stars in Below Deck season 11 which is filming in Grenada. Perhaps Leigh-Ann’s bombshell reveal will rock a possible current boatmance for Ben.
Before auditioning for Below Deck, Ben always aspired to be a star on the show. Now it looks like he’s aspiring to be like Below Deck Sailing Yacht‘s Lothario Gary King. Although he doesn’t seem to be nearly as smooth at dumping ladies.
