Jean-Luc always denied he was the father of Lilly. Now the Below Deck deckhand admits that a paternity test proved him wrong after months of denial.
Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux, the controversial star of Below Deck Sailing Yacht, is finally admitting to being the father of Dani Soares' baby. Last season, almost every fan turned against the deckhand after he failed to step up to the plate when the stew revealed she was pregnant. Bravo viewers will recall that Jean-Luc agreed to take a paternity test during the reunion, but he dragged his feet for months.
Dani and Jean-Luc had a pretty intimate relationship when they worked on the sailboat together, with fans thinking there could possibly be a happily ever after. But like most boatmances, things did not end well between the two. After Dani's pregnancy announcement, fans were quick to learn that Jean-Luc wanted nothing to do with the child. At the time, the entire crew rallied behind the stew by scolding the deckhand publicly. After almost a year of a social media hiatus, Jean-Luc is back on Instagram and ready to share some news.
The last time followers heard from Jean-Luc was 30 weeks ago, after posting a photo of himself as a baby. This week, the Bravo personality stepped back into the limelight by posting a major life update. In a portrait photo, JL shared that he was currently in Panama working on yet another vessel. The deckhand announced that he couldn't go any further into 2022 without acknowledging that he was indeed the father of Lilly Rose. Jean-Luc noted that he and Dani were currently working on a co-parenting plan, saying they have been "communicating." Check out Jean-Luc's post below:
The Below Deck star said that Dani is a full-time mother who works while he has been gone for long periods of time and does not know when he will next step back on land. Jean-Luc confused followers as he wrote that it was important for Lilly to have both parents, especially since he didn't share his plan to make that happen. There was no public apology to Dani, who went through months of begging for a DNA test. Fans found the post-self-serving but hope Jean-Luc will take on the responsibility. Jean-Luc turned off any ability for fans or co-workers to comment on his post.
As for the Brazilian mother of one, she has been keeping fans up to date on her daughter's development. Baby Lilly Rose is now five months old and enjoying her life as a young influencer. Dani has now dedicated her life to being the best mother she can be for her daughter. While Dani often posts numerous pictures for Below Deck Sailing Yacht fans to see, she has not commented on Jean-Luc's admission and most likely is keeping her feelings on the matter to herself.
Next: Below Deck Sailing Yacht: Dani Soares' Biggest Dramas On & Offscreen
Source: Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux/Instagram
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- Reality TV
- below deck
- Below Deck Sailing Yacht
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By Caroline Blair
January 19, 2022 | 3:45pm
“Below Deck Sailing Yacht” star Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux has confirmed that he is the father of former co-star Dani Soares’ baby.
“I can’t let 2022 go any further without sharing some beautiful news,” Cerza-Lanaux shared on Instagram alongside a photo of him overlooking Panama City on Wednesday. “An international DNA test that was done awhile [sic] ago was no small feat. I’m happy and proud to say Sweet and beautiful Lilly rose is my daughter.”
The deckhand, 26, explained that he and Soares, 33, have been learning how to co-parent.
“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,” he wrote. “This is imperative for the sake of our daughter as she needs both parents in her life.”
He also said that he has been keeping a low profile for the sake of his mental health.
“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 said.
Cerza-Lanaux shared that he will “no longer [felt] the need to explain” himself going forward. He ended the post thanking those who have supported him “through thick and thin,” adding, “I will be striving to be the best man and father that I can be.”
The former reality star came under scrutiny over the summer when he requested a paternity test after Soares strongly suggested that he was her baby’s dad prior to giving birth in May 2021.
“Well, let’s put it this way: This baby was made during this season while we had cameras 24/7 with us, and I only slept with one guy,” Soares told Andy Cohen during the show’s reunion in June, pointing to Cerza-Lanaux.
Soares, who dated Cerza-Lanaux on the “Below Deck” spinoff, said her baby’s father “seemed supportive” about the pregnancy at first but claimed that “things just changed.” When she was four months pregnant, Soares said she received a message from him that read, “Don’t go around telling people I’m the dad of this child.”
Cerza-Lanaux responded to Soares’ claims by saying that she wanted her “15 minutes of fame,” and that, “if [the baby’s] mine, I want to be involved 100 percent.”
Soares’ rep didn’t immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.