Below Deck villain Ben Willoughby shared a boatman-turned relationship with Marie “Sunny” Marquis that surprised Below Deck spectators and their fellow yachtsmen, but what happened to their connection after screen time? Throughout Ben's first appearance in Below Deck In Season 10, many were curious about what they would see from the yacht in the future. Although Ben had the upper hand, it was clear that his relationships would consistently get in the way of his work. Flirty and sassy, Ben has always been interested in the women on the crew, and in the first season he set his sights on Camille Lamb.
Ben's boatman with Camille wore Below Deck viewers declined and were happy to see the breakdown before the season finale, but when he returned to Below Deck in season 11, things weren't much different. Ben quickly became interested in a fellow sailor, Sunny, who wasn't sure joining a boatman made much sense to her. Still, the pair connected and viewers closely followed the development of their relationship throughout the charter season. Both dealing with professional issues outside of their boat, Ben and Sunny's relationship has been fascinating to watch on screen and beyond the season.
Ben and Sunny met on Below Deck Season 11
They found a quick connection
Although Ben and Sunny were different when they entered Below Deck In season 11, they found a connection quickly because of their responsibilities on the boat. As they progressed through the season, Ben became one of the top-ranked yachts in the outboard team, but was quick to recognize Sunny's abilities with her power. When Ben was promoted from Lead Deckhand to Boatswain, he placed Sunny in the Leader position, although the other crew felt this demonstrated questionable judgment. Although the two were not formally together at first, their flirtations started to turn into something more as they progressed through the season.
Ben and Sunny stayed together during filming
Their relationship was difficult while aboard the St. David
Although their onboard relationship started out strictly professional, Ben and Sunny's flirtation quickly turned into something more physical. All over Below Deck In season 11, the pair had a tumultuous romantic relationship with many highs and even more lows. Although they were both easygoing, the two quickly met during crew nights when they were both drinking, which was not an ideal situation for their relationship. Ben, who expected his time with Sunny to be more casual aboard the St. David, tried to make it clear that he wasn't looking for anything serious, despite sleeping in Sunny's bed.
Throughout the season, the pair went back and forth with what relationship style they wanted or didn't want, dating casually and then trying to move away from a real relationship. Both Ben and Sunny swore they weren't looking for anything other than a flingbut it was clear that Ben's refusal to be a little more exclusive with Sunny was a problem. During the early part of the contract, Ben was constantly caught trying to reconnect with his ex Camille, even though she didn't seem interested in rekindling their relationship. Ben and Sunny had serious communication issues throughout the season.
Ben and Sunny rekindled their off-screen romance
The couple spent months together in secret
After choosing to leave Below Deck After their Season 11 deal together, Ben and Sunny seemed to be interested in trying a relationship once they got off the superyacht. Throughout the season, the two were excited about the future and getting to know each other on land, but neither of them seemed confident that they would be able to maintain their newfound relationship when they finally docked. Ben, who is notoriously seductive, was consistently very sensitive to others Below Deck yachts for Sunny's tasteand Sunny's moods were hard for Ben to keep up with, especially when she drank on the team's nights off.
After Below Deck season 11 finale, Ben and Sunny opened up about the fact that they were hiding something throughout the season. Sharing that they had been dating since leaving St. David's for the last time that season, the two made it clear that they were in a serious relationship despite the more casual nature of things during the season. Having met on land, Ben and Sunny they grew closer and eventually found themselves in a real relationship as time went on. The couple shared some fond memories as well as new insights into their stable relationship.
Once the season ended, the pair got emotional sharing some photos from their lives together last year, as they had to play coy about their romance while the season was airing. Sharing that they traveled all over the world together, vacationed with Ben's family in Australia and visited the Sunny region of Canada between charter seasons, the couple made it clear that their relationship was serious. Happy together and continuing to get more serious as time passes, Ben and Sunny seemed like an incredibly solid couple throughout 2024.
Ben and Sunny split in December 2024
He was spotted with Danni Warren from the sailing yacht Below Deck
Although Ben and Sunny opened up about their relationship earlier in the year, the pair went quiet at the end of 2024. They shared photos of their travels over time, but around the holiday season, Ben and Sunny stopped sharing photos of each other. one. others on their social media pages. Ben went on to delete most of the posts that contained Sunny, even though he was trying to show off his travel photos with most of them. Below Deck viewers began to speculate about a split between the duowondering if their relationship was over.
In late 2024, Ben was seen on the Instagram story of Sailing yacht below deck season 5 villain Danni Warren, leaving many wondering if this was confirmation that he was no longer with Sunny. Ben shared an Instagram story that didn't fully confirm the split, but it all but confirmed that he was no longer with Sunny. Sharing that things have been difficult over the past few months, he asked that his privacy be respected as he moves forward with changes in his life. It was clear that the Below Deck The couple split some time before the holidays, leaving Ben and Sunny alone.
Source: sunny marquis/Instagram