Below Deck’s Solène Favreau Sparks Drama With Damo Yorg and Kyle Stillie Before Love Island Return
Season 12 of Below Deck concluded with a dramatic finale as stew Solène Favreau navigated complex romantic connections with crew members Damo Yorg and Kyle Stillie before heading back to Love Island. The episode, which aired on September 15, saw Solène juggling flirtations and emotional tension that left viewers on edge.
A Flirtatious Finale
Throughout the finale, Solène continued to spark chemistry with Kyle, but on the crew’s final night out, she grew closer to Damo. The two shared a passionate makeout session, leaving Kyle frustrated enough to retreat to his cabin. However, the tension didn’t last long. Moments later, Solène texted Kyle to meet her in a guest cabin, where they ultimately had sex, marking a tumultuous end to their season-long dynamic.
A Rocky Season With Kyle
Solène and Kyle’s connection had been shaky from the start. The two shared a date early in the season, during which Solène opened up about her past relationship with Below Deck alum Dylan Pierre De Villiers. She revealed she was still healing from heartbreak.
“We broke up because he was in another country, so [there was] distance. Even after, I still love him and I was very sad,” Solène explained in a June episode. “Since Dylan, I’ve never been in love again. I am young, free and I’m not looking for a relationship.”
Season 12: A Hotbed of Romance
This season of Below Deck was notable for its numerous romantic entanglements. Premiering in June, the show reunited deckhand Kyle Stillie, chief steward Fraser Olender, Captain Kerry Titheradge, and returning alum Chef Anthony Iracane, alongside a new wave of crew members. The season quickly gained a reputation for its flirty, hookup-heavy energy.
Solène’s Love Life Reflections
Solène opened up about her previous experiences with love, revealing she had truly fallen in love twice. “It is the best and the worst. That’s why it is love,” she said. Her first relationship began at age 22 and ended painfully, with her partner leaving her four times over two years, deepening her heartbreak.
“My dad took me to the emergency room because I was so sad that I stopped eating,” she shared. “I couldn’t eat. I would prefer that someone broke my finger than break my heart.” These experiences taught her to prioritize herself. “Now I live for me,” she added.
Chemistry With Jess Theron
Later in the season, Solène explored a potential romance with deckhand Jess Theron, even as Jess’s possible connection with Barbara Kulaif complicated things. While cameras captured a spark between Solène and Jess, the relationship ultimately fizzled out.
Barbara recounted the awkward encounter on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, noting, “I went to Jess’ hotel room, because we were supposedly together, and we had a fight because, in my mind, they still had a thing. I wasn’t wrong. Jess just opened the door and she left with Solène — and Solène was naked.” Despite the drama, Barbara maintained that she and Solène still keep in touch, though their bond is far from conventional.
Life Beyond Below Deck
Solène’s reality TV journey isn’t over. She is set to appear in season 2 of Love Island Games, following her previous stint on Love Island France. Her Below Deck season may have been filled with hookups and tension, but it also provided a platform for personal growth and reflection on love and independence.
Below Deck Season 12 continues to stream on Peacock, giving fans a front-row seat to the drama, flirtations, and emotional rollercoaster of life at sea.
