Chef Moe Vilomar Opens Up About Mental Health on Below Deck
The Below Deck season 13 chef released a statement reflecting on his time on the yacht and his long struggle with anxiety and depression.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Comfort Food
Chef Moe Vilomar, a chef on Below Deck season 13, released a lengthy statement on social media reflecting on his mental health and his time on the show. In episode five, titled "Knot So Innocent," he said he had been thinking about leaving the yacht.
Why it matters
Vilomar's remarks offer a candid look at the pressures faced by crew members on reality television, including homesickness and harsh feedback. His account also speaks to the broader experience of living and working with anxiety and depression.
Vilomar has reportedly dealt with anxiety and depression his whole life, and he was raised in Queens before joining the season 13 crew. The extraction does not provide further quantitative measures tied to his statement.
The players
Moe Vilomar
A chef on Below Deck season 13 who was born in Queens and has spoken publicly about living with anxiety and depression.
Fraser Olender
The chief stew on Below Deck season 13 who sat down with Vilomar in episode five to discuss his struggles on the yacht.
Rosa Simms-Preston
The chief stew on Below Deck season 13 who reportedly talked Vilomar down after he confronted a heckler on the dock.
The details
In episode five, Vilomar sat down with chief stew Fraser Olender to discuss his difficulties on the yacht, including guest complaints that he forgot a requested noodle dish. He also described confronting a heckler on the dock, and chief stew Rosa Simms-Preston talked him down before he could escalate further. Captain Kerry told Olender the crew needs Vilomar to find his mojo.
Timeline
Episode five, "Knot So Innocent" of Below Deck season 13, where Vilomar said he considered leaving the yacht.
November 11, 2026: Vilomar published his statement about mental health and the show.
Culture Shift
Vilomar's candid disclosure follows a wider trend in which reality-television participants speak openly about mental health, reflecting shifting norms around how workers under public scrutiny discuss emotional strain.
For viewers who follow the series, Vilomar's account may change how they interpret on-screen conflicts among crew members. Readers who work in demanding hospitality roles may find his description of homesickness and harsh feedback relatable.
The takeaway
Vilomar's willingness to name his anxiety and depression openly offers a reminder that performance pressure in high-visibility jobs can take a real personal toll. Seeking support early can matter as much as the work itself.
Further reading
Explore more Comfort Food stories tied to the chefs and kitchens that shape American dining culture.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Tab.
