the controversial Chief Stew Fraser Olender, and Deckhand Kyle Stillie, the incoming group of newcomers brings its own chaos. The season 12 trailer teases forbidden romance with a guest, a charter cut short, and perhaps the most inter-crew hookups in franchise history. With a frantic chef breaking the fourth wall only minutes into the new season, it’s obvious that Below Deck season 12 isn’t afraid to venture into uncharted territory.

Right off the bat, the deck team, led by a bosun, Below Deck's Caio Poltronieri, was on thin ice after leaving the guests’ luggage behind on the dock. But it was the interior team that hinted at a more complex web of drama ahead. At the forefront was Fourth Stew Solène Favreau, whose bubbly personality couldn’t hide her complete ignorance about her job. Although Barbara Kulaif attempted to take Solène under her wing, Solène seemed resistant to the guidance, suggesting she may be more interested in fame than furthering her yachting career.

Solène Has A Reality TV Past

She Made Her Debut On Love Island

Below Deck isn’t Solène’s first attempt at reality television stardom. The Parisian previously appeared on Love Island season 2, which aired in the spring of 2023. Solène’s bouncing between various programs is a major red flag, especially when combined with her flippant approach to working as a stew. Her repeated pursuit of reality stardom suggests she’s clout-chasing, using her appearances solely to gain fame.

Solène’s Love Island occupation was listed as an influencer, so it would make sense that she’s using her television presence to put her name out there. Solène has over 37,000 followers on Instagram, where her feed largely consists of photos of herself on beaches wearing bikinis. She's obviously very comfortable on-camera, and her image seems to be carefully curated to her reality television persona.

Solène Has Very Limited Yachting Experience

She’s A “Baby Stew”

Solène’s extremely limited experience in yachting is another concerning red flag. She stated in the Below Deck season 12 premiere that she’d only worked one previous charter, lasting a mere 22 days. Solène’s unfamiliarity with the requirements of her job seemed laughable, and in one scene, she spent more time complaining about not having enough time than getting things done.

Given Solène’s lack of work experience, it’s suspicious that she was hired as a Below Deck cast member. Most of the crew have invested years or even decades into their yachting careers. It’s likely producers knew Solène would bring entertainment and drama, and they cast her regardless of being grossly inexperienced. Solène has no real qualifications to earn her a position on the St. David, and her reality television history and aspirations of influencing make her a prime candidate for a producer plant.

Solène’s Already Starting Drama With Her Castmate

She Didn’t Take Well To Barbara’s Guidance

Despite her self-proclaimed “baby stew” status, Solène didn’t seem receptive to the help of her coworkers. She immediately got off on the wrong foot with Barbara, and the two sparred throughout most of the premiere. Solène’s feisty personality, while amusing, made her incredibly difficult to train. The season 12 trailer suggests the drama will continue throughout the season, with Solène at one point getting caught drinking on the job.

Solène’s free spirit will certainly make her time as a Below Deck season 12 cast member unforgettable. However, her disrespect for authority doesn’t bode well for her ability to move up in her yachting career. Solène appears to be on the show simply to have a good time and gain some followers, and her career as a stew seems to be little more than a setup by production.

Below Deck airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.

Source: Solène Favreau/Instagram