Former “Below Deck” star Kate Chastain didn’t hold back when discussing her longtime friend Ben Robinson’s broken engagement — admitting she was never particularly fond of his former fiancée in the first place.
Chastain Gets Real
During an interview with Us Weekly while promoting her appearance on “House of Villains,” she revealed she wasn’t shocked when Robinson, 45, called off his engagement to Kiara Cabral.
“I own a condo in the same building as Ben. So I know everything,” Chastain said candidly. “I know more than I want to know, to be honest. I was like, ‘This is too close.’”
Because of their close proximity and long friendship, Chastain said she had a front-row seat to much of Robinson’s relationship, including the lead-up to the couple’s engagement.
While she supported her friend at the time, she admitted she ultimately felt the split may have been for the best.
“Everything happens for a reason and I’m actually so happy for him that they didn’t get married because I do not think it was meant to be,” she said.
Chastain didn’t mince words when describing her feelings toward Cabral.
“It wasn’t tough because I didn’t like her that much,” she said frankly. “I was happy for him [when they broke up because] he was finally seeing the light.”
Chastain Felt Bad for Her Friend
Despite her blunt opinion, Chastain acknowledged that the breakup was still difficult for Robinson, who had envisioned a future with Cabral.
The reality star even recalled being present for a major milestone in the relationship — when Robinson purchased the engagement ring.
“I was with him when he picked out the engagement ring,” she explained. “I was eight and a half months pregnant — and we went to pick out his ring.”
She added that being part of that moment made the eventual breakup more emotional for Robinson.
“So to be part of that journey, I know it was very sad for him … the end of a dream,” Chastain said.
Robinson and Cabral first announced their engagement in May 2023 after dating for more than three years.
However, the chef later confirmed in September 2024 that the couple had ended their engagement before making it down the aisle.
Robinson later addressed the breakup during season 4 of “Below Deck Down Under,” offering his perspective on what led to the split.
“I was meant to get married last year,” he said. “And I caught her — she had been seeing one of my friends for a very long time.”
The chef admitted the situation left him feeling particularly vulnerable.
“I’m more sensitive because everyone’s just [explicative] let me down, that’s why,” he said.
Cabral later pushed back on Robinson’s claims in a TikTok video, disputing his version of events.
Chastain defended her friend once more in the comments after the video was posted.
