The Reality TV to A-List Pipeline
You probably remember the face. It was 2017, and the Sirocco was cruising through the stunning, turquoise waters of Croatia. Among the crew was Lauren Cohen, a third stewardess who somehow managed to be both deeply involved in the drama and strangely overlooked by the edit. Most fans of the franchise pigeonhole her as just another "one-and-done" cast member. Honestly, that’s a mistake.
Lauren Cohen didn't just fade into the background of Fort Lauderdale yachting after the cameras stopped rolling. She actually pulled off one of the most successful "pivots" in reality TV history, though you won't find her bragging about it on a reunion stage.
Who exactly is Lauren Cohen?
Before she was hauling luggage and scrubbing toilets on Below Deck Mediterranean Season 2, Lauren had a completely different life in the spotlight. She was an NFL cheerleader for the Miami Dolphins. That’s not a small feat. It takes a massive amount of discipline, which is probably why she didn't completely lose her mind when Captain Sandy Yawn started breathing down the stews' necks about laundry efficiency.
On the show, she was the 3rd Stew, working alongside the legendary Hannah Ferrier and the meticulously organized Bugsy Drake. It was a tough spot to be in. You've got Hannah’s "burn it all down" energy on one side and Bugsy’s "I could do the Chief Stew job better" energy on the other. Lauren basically found herself stuck in the middle of a power struggle that would define the franchise for years.
The Bobby Giancola situation and the "Boat-mance" that wasn't
If you're looking for the catalyst of Lauren’s screen time, it usually came down to Bobby Giancola. The two actually had a history before the show even started filming. They had hooked up once in the "real world," and that baggage followed them onto the boat like a heavy suitcase with a broken wheel.
It was messy.
✨ Don't miss: Barbie and the Dreamhouse Full Episodes: Why We’re Still Obsessed in 2026
Bobby seemed to expect a level of loyalty or perhaps a rekindling of their flame, while Lauren was clearly over it. This tension boiled over during the season, leading to some of the most uncomfortable dinner table arguments in the show's history. During the reunion, Lauren was pretty blunt about it. She admitted she regretted the hookup. It wasn't just typical reality TV shade; it felt like a genuine moment of "what was I thinking?"
Why she really left the yachting world
There's a lot of talk about why certain people don't come back for a second season. Sometimes they aren't asked. Sometimes they've had enough of the 20-hour workdays. For Lauren, it seems to have been a mix of both, but with a side of disillusionment regarding the industry's culture.
In various interviews and social media posts following her departure, Lauren touched on the sexism and the rigid "look" required in high-end yachting. She once mentioned that she’d been told she needed to be a certain size or even have a specific hair color just to get an interview for certain boats. It’s a side of the industry the show touches on but rarely dives into—the idea that the crew are essentially "live-in ornaments" for the ultra-wealthy.
She eventually stopped engaging with producers during her season. She "shut down" because of the toxicity on board. If you watch the later episodes of Season 2, you can see it. She’s there, she’s doing the work, but the spark is gone.
The Jennifer Lopez Connection (Yes, Really)
This is the part that usually catches people off guard.
🔗 Read more: Why Vince Gill's Amazing Grace Still Gives Everyone Chills
In 2021, a TikTok video went viral. It wasn't because of the person filming it, but because of who was in the background. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were strolling through Capri, Italy, during their high-profile romantic rekindling. Following closely behind them, acting as a buffer against aggressive paparazzi and fans, was Lauren Cohen.
She wasn't a guest. She wasn't a yachtie anymore. She was J.Lo’s personal assistant.
It’s the ultimate "full circle" moment. She went from serving the "one percent" on a reality show to being the right-hand woman for one of the biggest stars on the planet. Fans spotted her carrying shopping bags and looking every bit the professional power-player. When producers supposedly reached out to her about returning to Below Deck, she reportedly posted a photo from a yacht in Capri with a caption that basically said: "They want me back as crew, but I'm here as a guest now."
Talk about a glow-up.
Realities of the 3rd Stew Role
To understand why Lauren’s transition is so impressive, you have to realize how much the 3rd Stew position sucks.
- The Laundry Trap: You are essentially the "laundry girl." You spend 12 hours a day in a windowless room with an industrial steamer.
- The Hierarchy: You are at the bottom of the interior totem pole. You get the worst shifts and the least glory.
- The Pay: While the tips are great, the base salary for a 3rd Stew isn't exactly "buy a mansion" money.
Lauren took that grit and applied it to the world of celebrity management. Being an assistant to someone like Jennifer Lopez requires the same skills as yachting: discretion, anticipation of needs, and the ability to stay calm when everything is going wrong.
Where is she now?
Lauren has mostly retreated from the public eye. Her Instagram is often private, and she doesn't do the "BravoCon" circuit like some of her former castmates. She seems to have realized that the real power in the entertainment industry isn't being the one in front of the camera—it’s being the one who makes sure the person in front of the camera has everything they need.
She remains close with Chef Ben Robinson, which makes sense. They both have that "old school" yachting vibe where they value competence over camera time.
👉 See also: Stir It Up: Why the Patti LaBelle Classic Still Hits Different Decades Later
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Yachties:
If you're following Lauren Cohen's trajectory, the biggest takeaway isn't about how to get on a reality show. It's about how to use a platform as a stepping stone.
- Leverage the Skills, Not the Fame: Lauren didn't try to become an "influencer" selling hair gummies. She used the high-pressure service skills she learned in yachting to land a high-stakes job in the private sector.
- Know When to Walk: Recognizing that the environment on the Sirocco was affecting her mental health was key. She didn't force a "character" for Season 3; she moved on to something better.
- Privacy is a Luxury: In an age where every former reality star is desperate for a podcast, Lauren’s move to a private life working for A-listers is a reminder that sometimes the best career move is to stop being the "product."
If you're looking to enter the yachting world yourself, remember that the "stewardess to personal assistant" pipeline is very real. Focus on your certifications (STCW and ENG1) and look for roles that offer high-end concierge experience. Your time in the laundry room might just lead to a stroll through Capri with a superstar.