Below Deck’s Ben addresses backlash ahead of Season 11 finale

As the eleventh season of Below Deck comes to a close with only one episode remaining, Bosun Ben Willoughby has shared his approach to handling criticism from fans.

This season of Below Deck, the 11th installment, has featured the return of several familiar cast members to the world of yachting. Viewers have been treated to new conflicts, romantic relationships on board, and plenty of other exciting developments. Among the returning crew members is Ben, who originally joined the show in Season 10 and was given a promotion after Jared Woodin was let go in episode 7.

Despite facing challenges, Ben has not had an easy time either. Fans have repeatedly called out the Bosun throughout the season, from his remarks about getting involved in relationships to his age-shaming of coworkers. As a result, Ben has been involved in his fair share of drama.

Presently, Ben has utilized Instagram as a platform to share his approach for handling criticism. Through a series of stories, he has offered a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes details of the show.

Ben shared with a fan who inquired about how he deals with the criticism this season has received that he believes in the saying, “Ignorance is bliss.”

Ben acknowledged that it was unfortunate that certain “details get cut”from the show during editing, but he also reminded himself that it was pointless to get upset about how he was portrayed as long as he knew his truths.

Ben used a specific example to illustrate the type of details he was referring to. He explained, “I was the one who would put Xandi to [bed] every night, while others would ignore her once they started drinking. These are the true character traits that often go unnoticed.”

Despite facing criticism, Ben shared in a different account that he does not regret his time on the show. He believes that one’s actions on the show are a reflection of who they are at that particular moment and that there may be room for adjustments in hindsight.

The conclusion of Season 11 of Below Deck is set to air on May 27 with a 17-episode finale titled “End of the Line.”This episode is expected to be full of intense moments as Ben and Captain Kerry clash once more. Kerry has vowed to take action against Ben for his “blatant disrespect,”making for an exciting finale.