'Below Deck' star Gael Cameron honors abuse victims: 'How close I came'
'Below Deck' star Gael Cameron honors abuse victims: 'How close I came'
Melina Khan, USA TODAYThu, October 22, 2026 at 3:03 PM UTC
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This story talks about domestic abuse. If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence or an abusive relationship, call the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) or visit www.thehotline.org. Callers can remain anonymous.
"Below Deck Mediterranean" star Gael Cameron opened up about her own experiences while penning an emotional tribute to victims of domestic abuse.
On Oct. 21, Cameron shared a video on Instagram of a sculpture in Sydney, Australia, dedicated to women killed by violence, saying her "heart broke into a million pieces again" after seeing the display.
The sculpture, called Sweethearts Graveyard, portrays 60 heart-shaped graves resembling that of sweethearts candy but each carrying a statement that is often used to dismiss domestic violence, according to the creators.
"Knowing how close I came to being one of those hearts I cried," Cameron wrote.
The reality TV star made headlines earlier this year after her former boyfriend and fellow "Below Deck Mediterranean" cast member Nathan Gallagher was convicted on charges of assault and choking stemming from a December 2025 arrest.
The victim was not identified, but court records also showed Cameron filed an order known an Apprehended Violence Application seeking protection from him.
'Below Deck' star Gael's message to domestic abuse victims: 'I see you'
Cameron wrote in her post that she cried at the sculpture "not for myself."
"I cried for the families, and for those who lost their lives at the hands of another. But also for the women still there. Still stuck. Whose fate still feels out of their own hands," she wrote.
She continued: "Those who understand, understand. And those who can’t relate I hope you find it in your heart to try to understand."
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"To all the women and men who have messaged me with similar stories: I hear you, I see you," she added.
To women who are in an abusive situation, Cameron wrote, "I have hope that someday you get to say to yourself the same thing I say to myself everyday day that keeps me going. And is the reason you see me on here grateful for everyday I get to be here."
'Below Deck' cast member Nathan Gallagher was convicted on domestic violence-related charges
Gallagher was arrested in December 2025 in an alleged domestic violence incident in Australia. In September, he was convicted on charges of assault and choking and is facing a warrant for his arrest after failing to appear for his court hearing, a representative for New South Wales Courts confirmed to USA TODAY last month.
In an Aug. 26 statement to Rolling Stone, Gallagher said, "I don't believe the public has heard the full story surrounding what happened," calling it "an extremely complicated situation."
Gallagher and Cameron met while both were appearing on "Below Deck Mediterranean" Season 9, which aired in 2024. They share a son, Kayden, who was born in 2025.
The family appeared on the most recent season of the show, which aired this year but was filmed before Gallagher's arrest.
On the recent season, Cameron wrote in an Instagram post earlier this month, "Croatia showed me the strength I have as a mother and as a woman: no matter how challenging the circumstances, I will survive."
A Bravo spokesperson previously confirmed in a statement to USA TODAY that the network "does not plan on working with Nathan in the future."
Contributing: Liza Esquibias, USA TODAY
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Below Deck' star Gael Cameron honors abuse victims: 'How close I came'
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
