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'Below Deck Sailing Yacht' 's Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux Confirms He Fathered Dani Soares' Baby Girl

Dani Soares, who welcomed her daughter Lilly Rose in May, previously said the baby's father, whose identity she did not reveal at the time, was keeping a distance from her and their child

Below Deck Sailing Yacht star Jean-Luc "J.L." Cerza-Lanaux has come forward to confirm he is the father of Dani Soares' baby

Nearly eight months after the birth of Soares' daughter Lilly Rose , deckhand Cerza-Lanaux announced that the baby girl is his daughter in a lengthy Instagram post on Wednesday.

"As the year 2021 came to a close. A new year in 2022 begins with high ambitions and positivity. My silence on social media has been intentional and much needed. I used that time to focus on what was important to me and my mental health," he began. "I can't let 2022 go any further without sharing some beautiful news. An international DNA test that was done awhile ago was no small feat. I'm happy and proud to say Sweet and beautiful Lilly rose is my daughter."

Cerza-Lanaux, 26, went on to share that he and Soares, 33, have been learning to co-parent as best they can given their busy schedules.

"Dani and I have been working and communicating together to the best of our ability; given Dani is a full time mother and worker, and I being gone for extended periods of time not knowing when I will step back on land. This is imperative for the sake of our daughter as she needs both parents in her life," he explained.

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"With that being said, going forward, I will no longer feel the need to explain myself to anybody, when realizing people only understand from their level of perception," he continued. "I am thankful for my friends, and family who have stuck by my side through thick and thin. As I look forward to this new year with new opportunities, I will be striving to be the best man and father that I can be. God bless."

Following the birth of Lilly in May, rumors had been swirling that deckhand Cerza-Lanaux was the father, ever since a preview for the Bravo show's season 2 reunion showed Soares saying that her baby's father is keeping a distance from her and his offspring .

"He thinks it's not his child, he doesn't want to have anything to do with it," Soares said in a teaser for the episode back in June.

"I'm not going to badmouth anybody because my daughter is going to see everything that I'm saying, everything that I'm doing and I don't want her to see things going back and forth on social media or things being said in a moment of anger," Soares told PEOPLE at the time. "As I said, the door's always open, but you need to do more than just talk. You need to actually have some action, do some action."

"The father was part of it, I didn't make her alone," she added of her daughter. "So, if he wants to be part of her life obviously [he can]. But he needs to do more than talk."

At the time, Cerza-Lanaux tried to "clear the air" in an Instagram post, hitting back at Soares' reunion comments in the process.

"While others are off chasing their 15 minutes of fame, I am working on a yacht in Central America and heartbroken to have to hear about the baby's birth on social media and read headlines like ' Dani Soares Says Her Baby's Father Doesn't Want Anything to Do With It ,' Cerza-Lanaux wrote. "All I can say is if she's mine, I want to be involved 100%."

"As someone who grew up with parents who weren't together, I wouldn't wish that on any child," he added. "Not looking for a pity party. Just want everyone to know how strongly I feel about this, especially the haters who are so sure I am neglecting my responsibility. No one wants to know more than me if this is my baby girl!"

Below Deck Sailing Yacht’s Captain Glenn Shephard Gives Update on Dani Soares and Jean-Luc’s Co-Parenting of Daughter Lilly Rose, Plus Cast’s Reaction

Avid Below Deck Sailing Yacht fans will definitely recall the paternity drama that unfolded between former stew Dani Soares and deckhand Jean-Luc Cerza-Launaux during their respective season on the franchise.

Although the two have apparently sorted out the paternity drama, their former boss, Captain Glenn Shephard , is giving us an update on how the couple is co-parenting following their split.

Below Deck star Dani Soares poses with daughter Lilly Rose

Speaking to Us Weekly , Glenn said Jean-Luc has somewhat stepped up to the plate and has “some involvement now” in daughter Lilly Rose’s life. He has even started up a college fund for her.

“I know that [Jean-Luc] has some involvement now with [his and Dani’s] baby. I heard that he’s setting up a college fund and that he talks to her regularly on zoom because they’re far apart,” Glenn told the outlet at the NBCUniversal Upfront on Monday, May 16. “[Dani is] in Australia and his boat is in the states. He has to keep working obviously and I don’t think he can go to Australia and start a job.”

Glenn admits he gets most of his updates on the couple through secondhand sources, but he added that he thinks Jean-Luc should do more, especially after adamantly dismissing the child as his own in the past.

“I was asking someone what’s his involvement because it’s been a while. Personally, I think he should do more. But I don’t know all the details. I’m not that close with them so I can’t really speak to it,” Glenn shared.

Viewers saw the whole drama play out on their screens between Dani and Jean-Luc.

“Let’s put it this way, this baby was made during the season while we had cameras 24/7 with us and I only slept with one guy,” Dani said in June 2021. “He hasn’t supported me at all in any way. He thinks it is not his child and he doesn’t want to have anything to do with it,” Dani said.

Several months after Dani gave birth to Lilly Rose, and after a paternity test that was demanded by Jean-Luc, he finally claimed the child as his own.

“I’m happy and proud to say sweet and beautiful Lilly Rose is my daughter,” he wrote in an Instagram post in January. “Dani and I have been working and communicating together to the best of our ability. This is imperative [to work out] for the sake of our daughter as she needs both parents in her life.”

Sometimes words just come a little too late, Jean-Luc. And Dani and her former castmates apparently agree.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dani Soares (@iamdanisoares)

Current Below Deck Down Under star and former Below Deck Sailing Yacht stew Alli Dore  told Us Weekly at the time, “I feel like after all the back and forth that happened and all the things that were said about Dani, there should have been a public apology in there to her.”

Chief engineer Colin MacRae also had some choice words for his former co-star, saying, “It’s never too late to redeem yourself with actions, but this pathetic attempt at owning up to being a father just for the sake of social media, with a complete lack of any form of support in real life, gains no respect from me whatsoever. Which is a crying shame because every child deserves to have a father.”

According to Captain Glenn, Dani and Jean-Luc appear to be making some headway in the line of co-parenting. Here’s hoping it continues.

What Happened Between Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux And Dani Soares On Below Deck Sailing Yacht?

Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux and Dani Soares' boatmance on Season 2 of "Below Deck Sailing Yacht" was one of the messiest in "Below Deck" history. The two met during their first and only season and after some flirting, they took their relationship to the next level, per Screen Rant . Soares, who is eight years older than Cerza-Lanaux, was clear that she wanted something serious and even hinted to him about having a baby together, via Us Weekly . "I want to have babies, I want to get married. Do you want to do that? Let's have sex tonight. And if I get pregnant? That's God's will," she told Cerza-Lanaux in an episode.

Cerza-Lanaux and Soares left "Below Deck Sailing Yacht" Season 2 together and it looked as if they were ready to take their romance onto land. Fans were curious to know if their relationship survived after the show. Cerza-Lanaux told Meaww , "Me and Dani aboard Parsifal found an escape you could say in one another ... I think the viewers are going to see how things pan out between me and Dani really soon so I don't want to spill the beans yet, you guys just have to stay tuned." In April 2021, Soares revealed on Instagram that she was pregnant and many wondered if Cerza-Lanaux was the father , which she surprisingly revealed during the Season 2 reunion.

Dani Soares named Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux as the father of her baby

During the "Below Deck Sailing Yacht" Season 2 reunion, Dani Soares stated that Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux was indeed the father of her baby. "Well, let's put it this way, this baby was made during the season while we had cameras 24/7 with us and I only slept with one guy," Soares stated, via ET . She then told host Andy Cohen that Cerza-Lanaux didn't think the baby was his and said that he "doesn't want to have anything to do with it." Soares read a text from him: "Don't go around telling people I'm the dad of this child. And I want a DNA test."

In a separate conversation with Andy Cohen during the reunion, Cerza-Lanaux stated that he wanted to be involved in the baby's life and would even move to Australia where Soares lives, per Us Weekly . In May 2021, Soares announced the arrival of her baby girl on Instagram . "She is here. She is perfect. And we trying to figure this thing out."

The following June, Cerza-Lanaux posted on Instagram , "There's a lot of gossip about my social media silence so I think it's time to clear the air ... I am working on a yacht in Central America and heartbroken to have to hear about the baby's birth on social media and read headlines ... All I can say is if she's mine, I want to be involved 100%." Suffice it to say, fans were not happy with the deckhand.

Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux finally took a paternity test

Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux angered fans yet again when he posted a baby picture of himself on Instagram and made excuses for why he didn't want to take a paternity test. In January 2022, he finally confirmed that he was the father of Dani Soares' baby. "I can't let 2022 go any further without sharing some beautiful news. An international DNA test that was done awhile ago was no small feat. I'm happy and proud to say Sweet and beautiful Lilly rose is my daughter," he wrote on Instagram . He went on to say that he and Soares had been talking and he had every intention of being in his daughter's life.

Unfortunately, it seems as if Cerza-Lanaux did not step up to the plate after the paternity reveal. His "Below Deck Sailing Yacht" castmates expressed their disappointment in him. "She has not received a single piece of financial, let alone moral, support from JL. His deceptive Instagram post was an absolutely false portrayal of his and her relationship as 'coparents,'" Colin MacRae told Us Weekly . Gary King also alleged that Cerza-Lanaux was an absent father. "It's all good in saying stuff on social media but words are completely different to actions and if his actions spoke louder than his words, then it would be different, but at the moment they're not."

As of now, Soares is raising Lilly in Australia as a single mother while Cerza-Lanaux is living his best life traveling the world, per his Instagram .

Below Deck Sailing Yacht: What happened when Dani Soares and Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux left Parsifal III together?

The Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 2 finale featured Dani Soares and Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux leaving Parsifal III together.

In the months since filming ended, Dani had a baby, and Jean-Luc is the presumed baby daddy. Although all signs point to them no longer being a couple, some fan theories speculate they are a couple but are keeping it quiet.

As fans wait for the reunion, Dani has dished what happened with her and Jean-Luc immediately following their departure from the luxury sailing yacht.

Did Jean-Luc and Dani spend time together after Below Deck Sailing Yacht?

New mom Dani, Alli Dore, and Daisy Kelliher dished all about the Below Deck Sailing Yacht finale on Pita Party. Alli set the record straight on her feelings about Gary King and Sydney Zaruba.

Then the conversation turned to Dani and Jean-Luc leaving together. Alli claimed everyone wanted to know what happened, to which Dani replied that’s “not what everyone’s asking me.”

Yes, it was a nice reference to Dani being plagued with the question of who the father of her daughter is. Daisy, Alli, and Dani all laughed before Dani answered Alli’s question.

“I had a hotel booked for a few days in Croatia that was my plan anyways to stay for a few days just to recover before going to Australia,” Dani spilled. “Jean-Luc was going to try and change his flight to stay with me, but he couldn’t, apparently. He flew back to the US like two or three days after we left the boat.”

Unfortunately, Dani didn’t go into detail regarding their time together or what happened after Jean-Luc left for the United States. It’s no secret there’s oh so much more to this story.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dani Soares (@iamdanisoares)

Dani shares what she did after Jean-Luc left

After Jean-Luc left, Dani was in Croatia alone and revealed because of COVID-19, the experience was not what she hoped or imagined.

“I just stayed in Croatia. Because of COVID-19, I was scared, and I was flying to Australia. I had to do the test again. So, I just stayed in the hotel and just enjoyed the spa area. That’s all I did before I flew back to Australia and was in quarantine for two weeks,” Dani expressed.

Well, what Dani Soares revealed regarding her time with Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux after leaving Below Deck Sailing Yacht wasn’t full of the juicy details fans wanted. There’s always the reunion or more Pita Party episodes for Dani to share her story. Hopefully, she chooses one platform.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht reunion airs Monday, June 21, and Tuesday, June 22 at 9/8c on Bravo.

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'Below Deck Sailing Yacht's Dani Soares 'Would Never' Deny Father of Her Daughter From Being in Her Life

'Below Deck Sailing Yacht' star Dani Soares opens up to ET about her life as a mom and those rumors about her daughter's father.

In an ironic twist, after giving up yachting, Dani Soares is finally feeling anchored thanks to motherhood.

"Oh my god, it's hard," the Below Deck Sailing Yacht star tells ET of being a first-time mom. She welcomed daughter Lilly in May. She's now raising her in Australia, officially retired from life as a stewardess. "Honestly, it's hard and everything, but if Lilly wasn't here, I feel like I would probably be passed out on the street right now with heels and makeup everywhere, and that's not a good thing. So she definitely came to change my life and give me the meaning that I was looking for."

Dani shocked fans of Below Deck Sailing Yacht by announcing her pregnancy about halfway through the show's season 2 run, which was also just weeks before she gave birth. She says a handful of her castmates knew (specifically fellow stew Alli Dore and chef Natasha De Bourg ), but admits the pregnancy was "shocking for me, as well. It was shocking for everybody."

As soon as Dani announced she was expecting, viewers started piecing together a timeline and came to the (as yet to be confirmed) conclusion that Dani's yachting season fling, deckhand Jean-Luc Cerza Lanaux, was the baby's father. Dani says fans will get that answer during the show's two-part reunion , airing as special episodes of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen this week. 

"Yes, we'll talk about that there," she teases, but notes that she and Jean-Luc (aka J.L.) don't appear together during the virtual chat. J.L. filmed his interview separately from the rest of the cast, something Dani admits was "disappointing." 

"It's just me talking -- and I'm not confirming or denying anything -- but his name is out there and there is a discussion and all that," she says. "So, it would have been much better if he was there."

"Apparently he was on charter," Dani laments. "I think he's going to explain that there, but I did really wish he was there. That's all. I think that we all should be together to discuss things that relate to all of us. … It's much better when we're all together and we can have a discussion instead of just being separate, and we might not get a chance to answer and things like that. So I wish he was there."

In the sneak peek at the reunion, Dani told Andy that the father of her child "doesn't want to have anything to do with it" and "thinks it's not his child." In the days after the clip surfaced online, headline after headline popped up using those quotes, to which J.L. took issue. He posted to Instagram, "There's a lot of gossip about my social media silence so I think it’s time to clear the air. While others are off chasing their 15 minutes of fame, I am working on a yacht in Central America and heartbroken to have to hear about the baby's birth on social media and read headlines like 'Dani Soares Says Her Baby's Father Doesn’t Want Anything to Do With It.' All I can say is if she's mine, I want to be involved 100 percent."   "As someone who grew up with parents who weren't together, I wouldn't wish that on any child," he added. "Not looking for a pity party. Just want everyone to know how strongly I feel about this, especially the haters who are so sure I am neglecting my responsibility. No one wants to know more than me if this is my baby girl!"

J.L.'s castmates didn't take kindly to the message, as captured by Comments by Bravo, accusing him of "playing the victim" and calling the post a "pity party." ET spoke with Dani before J.L.'s Instagram post. 

“There is no point to telling just my side of the story,” Dani says. “We need everybody’s sides, because we all have different points of view and we all think we were telling the truth, but we all see the truth differently.”

Dani says she and J.L. last saw each other in the few days they had together after filming wrapped late last summer (lining up with when Dani would have gotten pregnant -- and for the record, she does not recall making the "And if I get pregnant, it’s God's will!" comment on the show), and haven't spoken since. It's a bit of a surprise, seeing as the pair walked off the boat seemingly ready to give land-based romance a shot. 

"I think the reunion is going to answer all the questions and more," she offers of what went wrong between the two. "I feel like we're really genuine on the boat and... I was. I know I was, and whatever happened, we still had that thing. I guess if we were in the same country, if we were in the same place, we would probably try to make it work better. Giving it a try, a proper try."

Dani says if her and J.L.'s paths ever crossed, again, though she would not give romance a second shot. When pressed why, she quips, "Hashtag no comment." In a follow-up Instagram post addressing all the comments, J.L. said he was willing to take a paternity test to find out whether he’s Lilly’s father.

"I learned of the baby’s birth, not the pregnancy, on [Instagram]," he wrote. "The goal is for us to take the tests together instead of shipping saliva samples around the world. But yes, there will be one ASAP. No, Australia isn’t open yet or I would have already gone so those of you saying ‘just go’ must not know that. We are truly on different continents, so easier said than done."

"Why am I sharing on Insta?" he continued. "Because it’s the only way I have to set the record straight about me not wanting to be involved if the baby is mine."

J.L. went on to say Dani blocked him on Instagram in December, and suggested he had not spoken to her since. He did, however, claim to have received a message from her the day before his latest post. 

"I would never deny a father seeing their daughter," Dani tells ET. "That's horrendous. … For Lilly’s sake, I know it would have been much better for her to know that her dad actually wants to meet her and wants to know her, than growing up knowing that he didn't really do anything about it."

"I have a view of life that it's like, if we can't change something, then we shouldn't stress about it because there's nothing we can do," she adds, "and there's nothing I can do. I've done everything I can and all I can do now is just make sure I'll take the best care of my daughter and do my best. And that said, the door's always open."

Dani admits that "maybe" there are things left unsaid between her and J.L., but that those comments are for a private conversation. She does say she feels like they're in different life places, nearly a decade of life between them. As for how she's dealing with all the questions and interest in her life from strangers, she’s still adjusting.

"I get so many comments like, 'Oh, she signed up for a reality show, so she should expect this. We should ask about everything about her life...' And I'm like, yeah, I did sign up for a show, during the show, during the filming," she notes. "I appreciate all the support and everything, but the picture that leaked of somebody taking a picture of me pregnant at work, that was a bit overstepping, I think."

"I have zero problems talking about my life. It's just a problem that involves somebody else, and then you have to be careful what you say," she continues. "You have to be careful because it's on TV, it's on the internet. It's going to be there forever. So my daughter is going to see that one day. So you don't want to say things that you're going to regret later. So, you need to be very careful, but it does feel good to talk about it, just to put it out there and just be like, 'Right, you guys all wondering, there you go. Have fun with that information.'"

As for what’s next, Dani’s excited to build a life for herself and Lilly in Australia. She won't return to Below Deck Sailing Yacht for another season. 

“ Below Deck was really my saying goodbye to yachting," she shares. "I thought it was a great way to say goodbye to yachting. I really did. I was ready to move on land and everything. So I'm pretty happy with being in Australia. Australia is such an amazing country and I'm so lucky to be here. I have my daughter now, obviously, and she needs my attention and just having a normal life."

Dani’s Below Deck experience was also a chance to heal from heartbreak. 

"I lost my friend in [the] beginning of 2020, and he was actually more than a friend. I knew him for 14 years, we were together 14 years ago and then we were actually giving it another try, beginning of 2020," the new mom reveals. "So we were together for four months when he passed away, and that's something I don't think I have said on the show, or I haven't said anywhere else."

"I was a bit embarrassed to say that my ex passed away, now I'm here doing a TV show," she says. "But after he passed away, I was like, wow, what is life really meant to be? What is the point? What is the meaning of it? I was just like, you could die at any moment, so what should I do? Should I just get drunk, pass out, or should I just do something meaningful? Become a priest or something. So yeah, I was having... 2020 was hard for everybody, but it was really hard for me."

The two-part Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 2 reunion kicks off Monday night at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo. Part 2 airs on Tuesday at the same time. 

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Below Deck Sailing Yacht’s Dani Soares and Jean-Luc Cerza Lanaux’s Ups and Downs

Making waves! Dani Soares and Jean-Luc Cerza Lanaux ended their time on season 2 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht together, but it wasn’t long before the pair were in a complicated situation .

The costars met on the Parsifal III and it wasn’t long before Jean-Luc revealed that he had a crush on the stew. Although their relationship was initially just casual, they eventually started to become serious over the course of the season.

“You’ve been there for me every step of the way,” the deckhand told Dani during one of their last night’s together on the boat. “You made this entire trip that much better.”

Even though Dani seemed to feel the same, she wasn’t sure they were looking for the same thing.

“To be a hundred percent honest, you make me feel, like, I’m the most amazing person in the world,” the stew said in a June 2021 episode. “But I just don’t see how this could actually work. That’s what you get when you get with 30-plus year-old women, who have no time to waste.”

Jean-Luc, however,​​​​ was positive they could make it work. He told Dani: “At the end of the day, if we make one another happy, then that’s all that matters.”

Following their show exits, Dani went on to reveal that she was pregnant in April 2021.

“Everybody’s so supportive,” Dani exclusively told Us Weekly in May 2021. “ Alli [Dore] ‘s in Australia and she was like, ‘My parents said they can come to their farm if you need some support, and you can stay here with us and they’ll be the grandparents!’”

Dani added that Natasha De Bourg , Daisy Kelliher , Glenn Shephard , Colin Macrae and Sydney Zaruba all reached out to her, but she didn’t mention Jean-Luc at the time .

Fans began to speculate that the deckhand was the father of Dani’s daughter, whom she welcomed in May 2021.

“She is here. She is perfect. And we trying to figure this thing out,” she captioned a photo of the newborn’s little hand at the time. “We both healthy and happy. Thank you for all the support ❤❤❤ Will post more once mummy had some rest 😂.”

One month later, Jean-Luc took to social media to explain his side of the story .

“There’s a lot of gossip about my social media silence so I think it’s time to clear the air. While others are off chasing their 15 minutes of fame, I am working on a yacht in Central America,” he wrote via Instagram in June 2021. “[I’m] heartbroken to have to hear about the baby’s birth on social media and read headlines, like, ‘Dani Soares Says Her Baby’s Father Doesn’t Want Anything to Do With It.’ All I can say is if it’s mine, I want to be involved 100 [percent].”

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He continued: “As someone who grew up with parents who weren’t together, I wouldn’t wish that on any child. Not looking for a pity party. Just want everyone to know how strongly I feel about this, especially the haters who are so sure I am neglecting my responsibility. No one wants to know more than me if this is my baby girl!”

Scroll through for a timeline of their ups and downs:

Credit: Courtesy Dani Soares/Instagram; Courtesy Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux/Instagram

Below Deck Sailing Yacht's Dani Soares and Jean-Luc Cerza Lanaux's Ups and Downs

Making waves! Dani Soares and Jean-Luc Cerza Lanaux ended their time on season 2 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht together, but it wasn't long before the pair were in a complicated situation . The costars met on the Parsifal III and it wasn't long before Jean-Luc revealed that he had a crush on the stew. Although their relationship was initially just casual, they eventually started to become serious over the course of the season. "You've been there for me every step of the way," the deckhand told Dani during one of their last night's together on the boat. "You made this entire trip that much better." Even though Dani seemed to feel the same, she wasn't sure they were looking for the same thing. "To be a hundred percent honest, you make me feel, like, I'm the most amazing person in the world," the stew said in a June 2021 episode. "But I just don't see how this could actually work. That's what you get when you get with 30-plus year-old women, who have no time to waste." Jean-Luc, however,​​​​ was positive they could make it work. He told Dani: "At the end of the day, if we make one another happy, then that's all that matters." Following their show exits, Dani went on to reveal that she was pregnant in April 2021. [sendtonews type="float" key="EehXV1rE2N-3106741-14453"] “Everybody's so supportive,” Dani exclusively told Us Weekly in May 2021. “ Alli [Dore] 's in Australia and she was like, 'My parents said they can come to their farm if you need some support, and you can stay here with us and they'll be the grandparents!'” Dani added that Natasha De Bourg , Daisy Kelliher , Glenn Shephard , Colin Macrae and Sydney Zaruba all reached out to her, but she didn't mention Jean-Luc at the time . Fans began to speculate that the deckhand was the father of Dani's daughter, whom she welcomed in May 2021. “She is here. She is perfect. And we trying to figure this thing out,” she captioned a photo of the newborn's little hand at the time. “We both healthy and happy. Thank you for all the support ❤❤❤ Will post more once mummy had some rest 😂.” One month later, Jean-Luc took to social media to explain his side of the story . “There’s a lot of gossip about my social media silence so I think it’s time to clear the air. While others are off chasing their 15 minutes of fame, I am working on a yacht in Central America,” he wrote via Instagram in June 2021. “[I’m] heartbroken to have to hear about the baby’s birth on social media and read headlines, like, ‘Dani Soares Says Her Baby’s Father Doesn’t Want Anything to Do With It.’ All I can say is if it’s mine, I want to be involved 100 [percent].” He continued: "As someone who grew up with parents who weren’t together, I wouldn’t wish that on any child. Not looking for a pity party. Just want everyone to know how strongly I feel about this, especially the haters who are so sure I am neglecting my responsibility. No one wants to know more than me if this is my baby girl!" Scroll through for a timeline of their ups and downs: [podcast_block]

Their Growing Connection

The crew members started a flirtatious relationship during season 2 .

"I think when we were playing Truth or Dare and he said that he fancied me," the stew revealed during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen in April 2021. "I don't know, it just made me look at him differently."

From there, things slowly got more serious.

"Being with Dani is something special. I'm definitely afraid to fall in love," Jean-Luc said during a May 2021 episode of the Bravo show.

Credit: Courtesy Dani Soares/Instagram; Courtesy Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux/Instagram; Laurent Basset/Bravo

An Unexpected Distraction

After Jean-Luc proved to be not so fun during a night off, Dani decided to enjoy her time with fellow stew Alli .

"When I am drunk, I get touchy and emotional. When Jean-Luc gets drunk, he is just in himself. He is like a little flower that doesn't have water," Dani explained during a May 2021 episode. The duo went to a guest cabin and hooked up, which both women confirmed after the episode aired .

"I mean, Alli's gorgeous, you know, and for me, if people are having fun and you're not upsetting anybody, it doesn't matter if it's a boy or if it's a girl,” Dani exclusively told Us that same month. “We were just having fun and that's it."

Credit: Courtesy Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux/Instagram

The Chlamydia Scare

During a May 2021 episode, Jean-Luc revealed to Dani that he was struggling with a health scare that could be a potential STD.

"I'm thinking I'm having fun and enjoying myself and then there you go, serious s--t. Not only f--king feelings but also f--king diseases," Dani said after learning the news.

The stew considered leaving the boat but chose to stay after talking to Colin. Jean-Luc later learned from the doctor that he didn't actually have an STD like he initially thought.

Planning a Future Together

As the crew's time on the Parsifal was coming to an end, Jean-Luc and Dani talked about what the future looked like for them in a June 2021 episode.

The deckhand told the stew that she "means a lot" to him. But for Dani, she was looking for something serious in the relationship.

“I want to have babies, I want to get married," she said. "Do you want to do that? Let's have sex tonight. And if I get pregnant? That's God's will."

While Dani was joking about getting pregnant at the time, she did explain that she was nervous about Jean-Luc's lack of commitment in relationships in the past.

“It really scares me that you haven’t had a relationship before,” she told him.

Jean-Luc convinced Dani to try to take a "leap of faith" and the twosome ended up leaving the boat together at the end of the charter season.  

Credit: Courtesy Dani Soares/Instagram

Surprise Pregnancy

In April 2021, Dani revealed on social media that she was expecting her first child .

“It’s just you and I little baby,” she captioned the photo of her growing baby bump via Instagram.

While many fans wondered if Dani's boat romance with Jean-Luc led to a pregnancy, she told Us that she wasn't looking to reveal her baby's father publicly at the time.

"I just don’t think that’s relevant for my situation, that’s all,” the Bravo personality told Us one month after her announcement. "I understand that people are curious about it, and I understand that I’m on a TV show and everybody wants to know. I just don’t think it’s anybody’s business right now.”

Jean-Luc Breaks His Silence

Right before the first part of the Below Deck Sailing Yacht reunion, Jean-Luc addressed all the speculation about whether he was the father of Dani's daughter and was met with backlash from fans and several of his cast members. Alli, Sydney, Colin and Natasha called for the deckhand to deal with the possibility that the child is his.

Jean-Luc clarified the next day that he was actively looking to take a paternity test .

"Yes, I know paternity test kits are available at drugstores but the goal is for us to take the tests together instead of shipping saliva samples around the world. But yes, there will be one ASAP," he confirmed at the time.

He added: "Why am I sharing on Insta? Because its the only way I have to set the record straight about me not wanting to be involved if the baby is mine."

Jean-Luc said that he was blocked by Dani on Instagram in December 2020, but that following his recent post he received a message from his ex on WhatsApp.

Credit: Bravo (2)

Finale Revelations

During part two of the Below Deck reunion, Dani finally confirmed that she believes Jean-Luc is the father of her baby.

"Let's put it this way. This baby was made during the season while we had cameras 24/7 with us and I only slept with one guy," Dani clarified. "He hasn't supported me at all in any way. He thinks it is not his child and he doesn't want to have anything to do with it."

Jean-Luc, who had an individual conversation with Andy Cohen during the second part of the episode, agreed that most of what Dani said was true. He did want to clear up that he wanted to be involved if the child was his, and he even considered moving out to Australia to support Dani and the baby.

"Dani, what we had on the show for me was real. I don't care what anybody says, even now that we're going through what we are going through. What I felt for you, and the time that we had, was genuine. Everything that I ever said to you was true," Jean-Luc said in an emotional message to his ex.

He added: "The fact that we are at where we are now, I am really sorry and I would assume to say that most of it is my fault. Maybe it's because I am the boy that you think that I am. With that being said, I want to be there for you. ... I need you to know that I did support your decision and still do. I really hope that we can coparent together and have respect for one another like we did."

The reunion episode ended with an update that the pair have yet to speak.

Credit: Courtesy Dani Soares/Instagram; Courtesy Jean-Luc Cerza Lanaux/Instagram

Still Waiting for a Resolution

Dani recalled how “supportive” Jean-Luc was when he first learned she was pregnant, but things changed when she was about 16 weeks. “It got a bit weird. We weren’t talking every day,” she said on the “Side Piece” podcast in July 2021, noting things “turned” in December 2020. She remembered getting upset about him requesting the DNA test at the time, but then claimed Jean-Luc never followed through.

She admitted that she didn’t want to be friends with him anymore, but she made it clear that if he wanted to be involved in their child’s life, he could. “[I said], ‘Obviously, I’m here whenever you need to talk about the baby, email me, call me, message me and I’ll always talk to you about the baby.’ That’s where we were at in the beginning of January. Since then, we exchanged maybe like 10 messages all together,” Dani said. “He knew when my due date was, he didn’t reach out on my due date so he did complain that I didn’t share the birth with him, but I’m, like, ‘Dude, you said you’re not the father so and you’re not communicating with me.’ Do you think I’m just going to video call you in the birth, like, ‘Hey watch the birth of the daughter that you don’t think is yours?’”

Dani claimed that Jean-Luc has not yet sent her any information about the paternity test he wants conducted. She also revealed that despite their rocky relationship, she will be OK with him in her child’s life if and when he chooses to step up.

“The thing is, I don’t want my daughter to one day be wondering why he didn’t make it possible. So whenever he feels like it, whenever he wants to, the doors will be open,” she said. “I just don’t want to do that to my child one day. But he will have to tell her why he wasn’t there before. That will be up to him to answer.”

Credit: Courtesy of Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux/Instagram; Courtesy of Dani Soares/Instagram

Paternity Resolved

“I’m happy and proud to say sweet and beautiful Lilly Rose is my daughter,” Jean-Luc wrote via Instagram in January 2022, seven months after Dani welcomed their daughter. After confirming that he is the father of the baby girl, Jean-Luc explained, “Dani and I have been working and communicating together to the best of our ability. This is imperative [to work out] for the sake of our daughter as she needs both parents in her life.”

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Andy Cohen’s Maury Moment: The First ‘Below Deck’ Baby Deserved Better

Where to stream:.

• Below Deck Sailing Yacht

'Below Deck' Exclusive Clip: Barbie Pascual Refuses To Change Her Signature Margarita Recipe For Fraser Olender

'below deck' chief stew fraser olender has a "love interest" of his own this season: "i've always been a third wheel", former 'below deck' charter guests hit choppy waters as they are charged with identity theft in prescription drug scheme, alex propson on whether or not casual sex can exist in 'winter house': "it's difficult, but i don't think it's impossible".

The Below Deck franchise has given us a lot of firsts. Across Below Deck , Below Deck Mediterranean , and Below Deck Sailing Yacht , Bravo has aired everything from nudity to near-death experiences to in-depth analysis of maritime law. And now, after a total of 15 seasons have aired, we seem to have the very first Below Deck baby on our hands, a child that deserves a much better welcoming than she has received so far.

During Part 2 of the Below Deck Sailing Yacht Reunion, host Andy Cohen questioned stew Dani Soares about the daughter she welcomed in May and if the father is deckhand Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux. It was an easy jump to make as we watched the two slink into the guest cabin for a private night of fun throughout this season which has aired for the majority of the spring, just as she revealed the pregnancy. But it was filmed at the end of last summer, so…anyone with basic math skills knew it added up.

And before we heard from Dani or JL, sure, there was the chance that maybe she met a different tall and hunky and more mature man and also had some fun. However, it not only seemed unlikely, it turns out, it never happened. When finally given the floor to talk, Dani said, “Well, let’s put it this way: this baby was made during the season while we had cameras 24/7 with us and I only slept with one guy.” And what has that guy’s reaction been since learning he’s the father? “He hasn’t supported me at all in any way,” Dani revealed. “He thinks it’s not his child and he doesn’t want to have anything to do with it,” she said of JL’s reaction.

She went on to detail how she found out she was pregnant as soon as she got back to Australia after the charter season in Croatia and that initially JL was “Obviously a bit shocked and everything but he seemed supportive.” But then it changed, and by December of last year he was “not interested anymore.” That became apparent on New Year’s Day when she got a message from him that said, “Don’t go around telling people I’m the dad of this child,” and saying he wanted a DNA test to prove it. Dani agreed as long as he organized and paid for it, which has yet to happen, and said he has asked about the baby two-three times total this year. She went on to say, “She’s gonna be amazing,” about her daughter, and that she would “Do my best every day to give her everything she needs.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dani Soares (@iamdanisoares)

Andy was sure to tell her, “This girl is going to come into a world where she is very loved and you’re gonna be an incredible mom.” Dani’s pals also had her back, with Alli Dore saying, “She’s working so hard…she’s been amazing,” and of JL, “It’s incredibly disgusting and frustrating that he won’t even acknowledge the situation. My heart breaks for Dani but she’s so strong and I know she can do this without him and she will be better off.” Gary King was also sure to add that he “does not have a spine,” which, if it weren’t so true, would warrant some kind of joke about his height here, but it’s just too disappointing to even have fun with.

For her part, Dani was also sure to say she wished he was at the reunion so everyone could hear his side, though he later got his own sit-down with Andy. “Five days after the reunion was recorded, Jean-Luc found time in his work schedule to speak with Andy,” the screen read, as it was previously announced he was on coward, sorry, on charter . And let’s not forget, angel on Earth Colin found a way to drive 90 minutes to Wifi, so it feels like JL (also not the most motivated cast member we’ve ever seen on the show) could’ve figured out a way to face his fellow castmates.

“It was really unfortunate, I did want to be there but I had a charter and it was our primary’s daughter’s birthday so basically one of the biggest days of the whole charter that I could not take time off for,” is the excuse he gave. It seemed as though Andy was lobbing a few softball questions to start off the interview, but when asked what lessons he learned, JL replied, “Do not get intimate with any of the crew.” Ok bro, game on! He admitted, “The status of my relationship with Dani is kind of a little uncertain,” and that the two talk “a little bit back and forth but not as much as we probably should.” He added that “there’s some things that are to be questioned,” but that “we’re trying to be adults about this whole entire process and figure it out.”

Except he seems to have way more to figure out than she does. He said after he asked for the paternity test that it “turned into a lot of backlash and her not wanting to hear from me,” yet he thought, due to his lack of experience with women, that it was a “very understandable question to ask in any situation.” To confirm: it is not. He went on to say that he told Dani, “If this is my child, I want to be a part of that child’s life every single day as much as I can for the rest of her life.”

It’s the same sentiment he expressed this past weekend in an Instagram caption , and one that he repeated over and over again during his time with Andy, though that didn’t make it truer. In fact, it often felt as though someone had told him what to say, but he didn’t quite know what it meant, or that he meant it . Saying you want to be involved “100%” is very noble. But he had a relationship with Dani, they cared about each other, and so far, he’s been involved 0%.

In fact, the extent of his involvement is that he claims he will happily pay for the DNA test and that it’s gotten as far as him reaching out to her doctor’s office, even saying he wanted to be present for the birth. But none of those things have materialized, as Lilly was born on May 26th, and as the screen savagely stated, “Jean-Luc and Dani have yet to speak to each other.” Bro. Is the only good thing to come out of this mess going to be this sick burn ? Because, somehow, even his headphones were irritating.

Every season, viewers tune in to this show to see how crazy the guests are, how beautiful the landscapes are, and mostly, who hooks up on the boat. And almost every season, multiple crew members come through for us. However, there has never been a Below Deck baby before, and beautiful Lilly seems to be the first. We’ve always known that what happens on (or below) deck never stays on deck, but this drama has really jumped. Despite JL’s mom being messy online, Dani’s fellow crew members have truly had her back and rallied around her in comment sections as well as privately showing their support.

And for her part, Dani has been a class act. She didn’t post a photo of her pregnant belly until April when it became too hard to hide it, and has vowed to not “throw dirt” on JL’s name to the child. She’s remained admirably optimistic and strong publicly and seemed fully ready to embrace motherhood, despite not deserving to face it in this way.

But Lilly could’ve had a better celebration. A Below Deck Baby special on Bravo (or hell, even on Peacock), like a baby shower we would actually want to see! The crew members would show up with smiles and nautical-themed presents and Daisy could get wine-drunk again — it would’ve been awesome! This baby should be celebrated Andy-style, not Maury-style. It’s a wonderful, beautiful, special occasion. She’s being born to a loving mom who has a fantastic group of coworkers-turned-pals and now an international audience of people that also wish the best for her. I hope she never has to sit through that reunion or hear its pathetic excuses, and simply know that as far as her mom is concerned, she will always be the primary.

Stream Below Deck Sailing Yacht on Bravo Now

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Below Deck Sailing Yacht 's Dani Questions Her Future With Jean-Luc in New Sneak Peek

In this exclusive clip from the june 7 episode of below deck sailing yacht , dani soares reveals she's ready for marriage and babies. but is jean-luc cerza-lanaux.

Will Dani Soares and Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux 's relationship work on the mainland?

In this exclusive clip from the June 7 episode of Below Deck Sailing Yacht , the yachtie couple questions what's next for them as the end of charter season draws near. While Jean-Luc appears committed to making the relationship work, Dani seems to still have her doubts.

"You've been there for me every step of the way," the deckhand states after planting a kiss on the stewardess. "It means a lot to me."

Dani responds, "I do care about you a lot."

Continuing on with his speech, Jean-Luc reveals that Dani has made the charter season "that much better." In order to be fully candid, Dani tells Jean-Luc exactly how she feels.

"To be a hundred percent honest, you make me feel, like, I'm the most amazing person in the world," she expresses. "But I just don't see how this could actually work. That's what you get when you get with 30-plus year-old women, who have no time to waste."

Despite Dani's concerns, Jean-Luc refuses to give up on what they have. He adds, "At the end of the day, if we make one another happy, then that's all that matters."

As Dani notes that she only wants what is best for Jean-Luc, the deckhand demands to know why that can't be her. "Because… I want to have babies , I want to get married," she exclaims. "Do you want to do that? Let's have sex tonight. And if I get pregnant ? That's God's will."

After clarifying that she's joking, Dani revels she's scared by the fact that Jean-Luc has never had a relationship before. "I mean, I get it," he says. "Sometimes people need a leap of faith in order to see a side of them that hasn't been seen before."

While we don't totally understand what Jean-Luc means by that, it resonates with Dani, who gives the tall deckhand a kiss. "You mean a lot to me," he concludes. "And that's why I'm still here."

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Watch the tender scene in the exclusive clip above.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on Bravo .

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Below Deck's Gary King Hasn't Spoken to Jean-Luc Since Paternity Drama

Below Deck Sailing Yacht ‘s Gary King has not remained in contact with Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux after his former costar's paternity drama.

Gary took to Instagram on Monday, February 19, to share a throwback photo from season 2, writing, "Looks as though season 2 of @belowdecksailing is now streaming on @netflix! So here's a little throwback of us at the end of the season being silly If you want to re-watch season 2 tune in to Netflix."

Some Bravo fans expressed their dislike of Jean-Luc in the comments section. "JL is a loser," replied a follower, to which Gary responded, "Haven't spoken to him since we wrapped, can't find him on insta either, might have blocked me."

Another social media user claimed that Jean-Luc wasn't involved in his daughter's life after previously questioning his paternity . Gary was surprised to get the update about where Jean-Luc and Dani Soares allegedly stand, adding, "That's so sad to hear, I grew up without a father and no kid deserves that!"

'Below Deck' Babies: See Which Crew Members Have Given Birth

Season 2 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht , which premiered in 2020, initially focused on Dani Soares and Jean-Luc's onscreen fling . The drama, however, got worse once the cast reunited for their reunion special.

Dani confirmed at the time that she was expecting a child - and that Jean-Luc was the father.

"Let's put it this way, This baby was made during the season while we had cameras 24/7 with us and I only slept with one guy," she said on the June 2021 episode. "He hasn't supported me at all in any way. He thinks it is not his child and he doesn't want to have anything to do with it."

Below Deck Sailing Yacht's Biggest Drama Through the Years

In an individual interview, Jean-Luc noted he wanted a DNA test to confirm the paternity before getting involved. "I want to be there for you," he explained to Andy Cohen after not joining his costars during the reunion. "Though you may not want anything to do with me because of me asking you for a paternity test, that's something that I can get over. But what I can't get over - if this is my child - is not being there for her."

Jean-Luc confirmed that he was the father seven months after Dani welcomed their daughter, writing via Instagram in January 2022, "I'm happy and proud to say sweet and beautiful Lilly Rose is my daughter. Dani and I have been working and communicating together to the best of our ability. This is imperative [to work out] for the sake of our daughter as she needs both parents in her life."

Despite the public update, Jean-Luc has since dedicated his social media to photos of his travels, his fishing trips and his romance with girlfriend Jen. He hasn't addressed his coparenting relationship with Dani and offered no information on whether he's met his daughter.

Former 'Below Deck Sailing Yacht' Stars: Where Are They Now?

Dani, meanwhile, has left yachting and become a registered nurse. She has used her platform to document sweet moments of her daughter, whom she is currently raising in Australia .

"This pic deserves to be on feed. Lilly happy and sincere smile. Her happiness is my life goal," Dani captioned an Instagram post earlier this month alongside a photo of her and Lilly.

Screen Rant

What dani soares is up to after below deck sailing yacht season 2.

Dani Soares' life has changed a lot since appearing on BDSY season 2. Check out what the former second stew has been up to since last summer.

Dani Soares is one of the most memorable crew members to appear on the  Below Deck   franchise, so it's no surprise that fans are looking to catch up on what she's been doing since  Below Deck Sailing Yacht   season 2. Joining Captain Glenn Shepard on the charter yacht Parsifal III as a second stew, Dani's memories of living in Brazil helped her forge connections with co-stars like Sydney Zaruba and Alli Dore. Dealing with the loss of a close friend months before joining the yacht crew, Dani's open and honest attitude established her positive reputation with viewers.

While Dani's backstory is interesting enough, her short-lived romance with Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux was the breakout storyline of  BDSY  season 2. Dani and Jean-Luc quickly became interested in one another while working on the sailing yacht and were frequently seen spending time together. Although Dani wasted no time bringing up the potential of marriage and babies, 26-year-old Jean-Luc's clear hesitancy (and, at one point, potential STD) towards settling down created some awkward situations. Nonetheless, Dani and Jean-Luc ended  BDSY  season 2, confessing their love for each other and leaving Parsifal III as a couple.

Related:  Below Deck: Dani Soares Hints Jean-Luc Still Isn’t Stepping Up As Father

After BDSY  season 2 ended, it was revealed that Dani was expecting a baby girl . While the father wasn't named at the start, all eyes pointed towards Jean-Luc. Dani gave birth to Lilly Rose in May 2021, and after going back-and-forth with his former  BDSY  co-stars on Instagram, Jean-Luc confirmed that Lilly was his daughter this past January. Besides becoming a mother, Dani, who has sported a new short-haired look since November, has settled down in Sydney, Australia. In addition to raising Lily, Dani has been working as a beauty therapist while studying to become a nurse, previously telling  Bravo Insider , "I just want to do something that I can be like, I'm actually helping, I'm actually changing people's lives, you know?"

Although Dani isn't planning to return to yachting anytime soon, the 34-year-old still has a foot in the  Below Deck  franchise. After  BDSY  season 2 wrapped last summer, Dani , Alli, and chief stew Daisy Kelliher started an Instagram Live series called  Pita Party . The three stews   upload weekly episodes that focus on the currently-airing BDSY  season 3, as well as individual and collective experiences as women in their 30s. Dani, Alli, and Daisy are frequently joined by  Below Deck  special guests like Ashley Marti, Colin MacRae, and Tom Pearson. Since establishing  Pity Party , Dani, Alli, and Daisy have expanded the show to a podcast that can be found on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Between working, studying, and caring for Lily, it's clear that Dani has a lot on her plate, especially since she's hinted that Jean-Luc isn't as involved with their daughter as he should be. Nevertheless, fans of  BDSY  are happy to see that Dani is not only still invested in the charter yacht world but continues to have the support of Alli, Daisy, and other  Below Deck  stars. Dani has undergone one of the biggest transformations since appearing on  BDSY  season 2, emotionally and physically, yet it's clear that she is focused on carving a wide path of opportunities for her and Lilly.

Next:  Below Deck Sailing Yacht: The Worst Charter Guests So Far

Below Deck Sailing Yacht  airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on Bravo.

Sources: Bravo Insider ,  Dani Soares /Instagram

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Below Deck Sailing Yacht’s Gary King Hasn’t Spoken to Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux Since Paternity Drama

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

Below Deck Sailing Yacht 's Gary King has not remained in contact with Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux after his former costar's paternity drama.

Gary took to Instagram on Monday, February 19, to share a throwback photo from season 2, writing, "Looks as though season 2 of @belowdecksailing is now streaming on @netflix! So here’s a little throwback of us at the end of the season being silly 🙂 If you want to re-watch season 2 tune in to Netflix."

Some Bravo fans expressed their dislike of Jean-Luc in the comments section. "JL is a loser," replied a follower, to which Gary responded, "Haven’t spoken to him since we wrapped, can’t find him on insta either, might have blocked me."

Another social media user claimed that Jean-Luc wasn't involved in his daughter's life after previously questioning his paternity . Gary was surprised to get the update about where Jean-Luc and Dani Soares allegedly stand, adding, "That’s so sad to hear, I grew up without a father and no kid deserves that!"

‘Below Deck’ Babies: See Which Crew Members Have Given Birth

Season 2 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht , which premiered in 2020, initially focused on Dani Soares and Jean-Luc's onscreen fling . The drama, however, got worse once the cast reunited for their reunion special.

Dani confirmed at the time that she was expecting a child — and that Jean-Luc was the father.

"Let's put it this way, This baby was made during the season while we had cameras 24/7 with us and I only slept with one guy," she said on the June 2021 episode. "He hasn't supported me at all in any way. He thinks it is not his child and he doesn't want to have anything to do with it."

Below Deck Sailing Yacht’s Biggest Drama Through the Years: Jean-Luc and Dani’s Baby Bombshell, Captain Glenn’s Accident and More

In an individual interview, Jean-Luc noted he wanted a DNA test to confirm the paternity before getting involved. "I want to be there for you," he explained to Andy Cohen after not joining his costars during the reunion. "Though you may not want anything to do with me because of me asking you for a paternity test, that's something that I can get over. But what I can't get over — if this is my child — is not being there for her."

Jean-Luc confirmed that he was the father seven months after Dani welcomed their daughter, writing via Instagram in January 2022, “I’m happy and proud to say sweet and beautiful Lilly Rose is my daughter. Dani and I have been working and communicating together to the best of our ability. This is imperative [to work out] for the sake of our daughter as she needs both parents in her life.”

Despite the public update, Jean-Luc has since dedicated his social media to photos of his travels, his fishing trips and his romance with girlfriend Jen. He hasn't addressed his coparenting relationship with Dani and offered no information on whether he’s met his daughter.

Former ‘Below Deck Sailing Yacht’ Stars: Where Are They Now?

Dani, meanwhile, has left yachting and become a registered nurse. She has used her platform to document sweet moments of her daughter, whom she is currently raising in Australia .

"This pic deserves to be on feed. Lilly happy and sincere smile. Her happiness is my life goal," Dani captioned an Instagram post earlier this month alongside a photo of her and Lilly.

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Dani Soares Offers an Update on Her Career: "One Challenge at a Time"

The  Below Deck Sailing Yacht  alum shared some "personal info" so anyone who's struggling doesn't "feel alone."

Below Deck Sailing Yacht ’s Dani Soares is keeping it real. Sharing what she called “another selfie with an inspirational caption” via Instagram on September 8, the former stew gave a candid update on the recent highs and lows she’s experienced in her career and life in general. Now a nursing student, Dani explained that she’s on her “last term of uni for this year,” dubbing it the “hardest term yet.” Meanwhile, she was able to use holiday pay during her last hospital placement and “managed to find someone amazing” to take care of her 14-month-old daughter Lilly in the morning while she worked. Having already depleted her holiday resources — and with her next placement beginning next month — the Below Deck Sailing Yacht alum said that she’s “ saving every penny to be able to cover the bills,” adding a crossed fingers emoji. “The reason I share all this personal info is because if you are struggling, I don't want you to feel alone,” Dani added. “Most of the time Instagram is all about the perfect life, the big houses, the mum's that managed to put make up on every day and I can't relate to that.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dani Soares (@iamdanisoares)

How to Watch

Watch Below Deck Sailing Yacht on Peacock and the Bravo app . 

True to form, she ended on a positive note, writing: “One challenge at a time, one day at a time. We got this.” Below Deck ’s  Isabelle “Izzy” Wouters , for one, agrees. “ You absolutely do have this my girl!” she commented, adding two red heart emojis. In August, Dani also updated fans on how she’s navigating first-time motherhood , sharing sweet photos of Lilly, who was born in May 2021. ( Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux , who also appeared on Season 2 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht , is the little girl’s father.) Despite all her trials and tribulations, she insisted in one caption that her toddler comes first. “My number one priority always!” Dani wrote of Lilly on August 13. “Only a real parent understands that life is not about you anymore, it’s about the life you made and brought into this world and everything you do is for her." Watch  Below Deck Sailing Yacht  on  Peacock  and the  Bravo app .

• Dani Soares
• Isabelle “Izzy” Wouters
• Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

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Are Dani and Jean-Luc Still together after Below Deck Sailing Yacht?

• Joanne Kavanagh
• Published : 10:39 ET, Jun 2 2021
• Updated : 10:39 ET, Jun 2 2021

IT'S fair to say Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 2 has been FULL of hook ups and break ups.

But one couple which seem to be totally smitten with each other is Dani and Jean-Luc.

Are Dani and Jean-Luc still together after Below Deck Sailing Yacht?

It's fair to say these two haven't been able to keep their hands off each other during the second season of Below Deck Sailing Yacht .

The season is still airing on Bravo, so fans are keen to know what happened once the cameras stopped rolling,

The series actually wrapped filming in August 2020, so a lot can happen in that time.

While they look like they are falling in love on the show, viewers want to know if they have lasted the distance.

Jean-Luc played coy about their relationship status in an interview in April 20201 with  MEAWW .

He said: “Me and Dani aboard Parsifal found an escape you could say in one another.

“I think the viewers are going to see how things pan out between me and Dani really soon so I don’t want to spill the beans yet, you guys just have to stay tuned.”

Has Dani had a baby?

To throw further fuel on the fire as to their relationship status, in April 2021 Dani revealed she was heavily pregnant.

The father of the baby is yet to be revealed but it is not believed to be JL.

Dani then revealed she had given birth in May 2021.

With this in mind, JL could be the father, but neither party has made any suggestion that this is the case.

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When is below deck sailing yacht on tv.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht is currently airing its second season on Bravo.

New episodes air Mondays at 9pm/8pm C.

• TV explainers