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Celebrities Accused Of 'Yachting' In Hollywood — And What Being A 'Yacht Girl' Really Means

Rumors suggest some women are paid to play..

By Micki Spollen Written on Jan 11, 2022

It’s easy to be envious when seeing the Instagram photos of young, carefree celebrity women seemingly having the time of their lives on yachts floating in exotic waters and in the VIP sections of the most exclusive clubs.

However, rumor has it there is much more than meets the eye when it comes to these ‘yacht girls’ and their extravagant lifestyles.

What is a yacht girl?

According to Urban Dictionary , a yacht girl is “an attractive young woman who finds ways to get access to luxurious surroundings by being available to wealthy men.”

For example, you may follow a woman or two on Instagram who always seems to be partying or vacationing somewhere expensive (notably without ever showing who she’s actually with). This is a person you could potentially describe as being a yacht girl.

And it’s not just those Instagram models and wannabe stars that are considered yacht girls. As you work up the wealth chain, you may be surprised to recognize some celebrity names synonymous with yachting.

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What is 'yachting' in Hollywood?

In Hollywood, the term yacht girl essentially means a woman who works as an escort for high-end clientele , not just on yachts but for any social event.

While the practice has only somewhat recently gained mainstream notoriety, if you think back on the many tabloid photos of models and actresses on yachts from years past, it appears to be something that's gone on in Hollywood “for 60 years,” according to Elie Nahas, who ran a Beirut-based modeling agency before being arrested on charges of running a prostitution ring in 2007.

In 2013, "The Hollywood Reporter" ran a feature describing this so-called yachting during the Cannes Film Festival.

“Every year during the festival there are 30 or 40 luxury yachts in the bay at Cannes, and every boat belongs to a very rich person. Every boat has about 10 girls on it; they are usually models, and they are usually nude or half nude,” Nahas told THR.

At the end of the night, each woman would receive a “gift,” a generous amount of money that the client would put in an envelope for her.

And while many of these women were self-proclaimed local prostitutes and escorts, the Cannes Film Festival is, of course, known for its celebrity attendees — and it’s rumored that celebrity women trying to fast-track a name for themselves in Hollywood become yacht girls, too.

“Women installed on yachts in Cannes during the film festival are called ‘yacht girls,’ and the line between professional prostitutes and B- or C-list Hollywood actresses and models who accept payment for sex with rich older men is sometimes very blurred, explains one film industry veteran,” Dana Kennedy wrote for THR.

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Some women in Hollywood have accused their celebrity peers of being yacht girls.

A 2017 blind item (celebrity gossip that doesn’t outwardly name the celebrity) allegedly written by a struggling actress describes being lured by another actress into the world of yachting :

“The actress I was talking to made it sound super easy and that she only had [sex] a few times with guys while yachting and that it was mostly partying and being arm candy,” she writes, explaining that eventually she agreed to try it for $25,000 upfront, but admitting that the experience was less than glamorous.

Blind item readers guessed that Canadian actress Vanessa Lengies wrote the blind item and further surmised that it may be one of the Glee actresses Naya Rivera or Heather Morris that introduced her to yachting. None of these claims have ever been substantiated.

If you believe the rumors, it would seem that yachting is a rite of passage for women hoping to “make it” in Hollywood, and even some celebrities we now consider A-List are thought to be former yacht girls.

In an excerpt from her 2021 memoir , “My Body,” Emily Ratajkowski details being paid $25,000 at the start of her career to go to the Superbowl with now-disgraced Malaysian financier Jho Low, who "‘just liked to have famous men and women around,’” she explains her manager told her at the time.

She writes about attending the star-studded Coachella on someone else’s dime, having drinks paid for at clubs, and attending afterparties with Oscar-winning actors before actually becoming a celebrity herself.

One could infer from this recollection that, in order to be able to tell these stories, Ratajkowski was herself a yacht girl. “My Body” suggests as much, and in it, she subtly gives away the identity of another celebrity woman who yachted alongside her.

Ratajkowski describes watching as Low gave shots to a Victoria’s Secret model. While she doesn’t name drop, Ratajkowski gives just enough information for readers to figure who that model likely was.

“Now she kept her eyes locked on him as he took his shot, throwing her head back dramatically as he did, only to quickly toss the alcohol over her shoulder,” Ratajkowski writes. “When he faced her again, her eyes sparkled and the famous dimples appeared on her cheeks.”

Low has since become a fugitive wanted for allegedly running an international money laundering scheme, and in 2017, Reuters reported that model Miranda Kerr — known for her dimples — was being ordered to return “diamond pendants, earrings and other jewelry worth about $8 million” that Low allegedly gifted her to government agents.

In 2017, Ratajkowski also posted a video on Instagram potentially outing Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber as yacht girls as they danced aboard a yacht during that year’s Cannes Film Festival.

          View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata)

Many people have also accused Meghan Markle of yachting (but then again, what haven't people accused Markle of at this point).

People have pointed to an old photo of Markle on a yacht as proof that she’s a former yacht girl.

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Another old blind item also suggested the former actress was available to “rent.”

"If you see B actress post scantily clad photos of themselves on Social Media, this is often a Comm to [them] that this person is available to ‘rent’ for a weekend of ‘yachting,’” the tweet says, including a photo of Markle in a swimsuit.

"If you see B actress post scantily clad photos of themselves on Social Media, this is often a Comm to [them] that this person is available to “rent” for a weekend of “yachting”. Typically worth $30K for the “party” - Meghan Markle @3Days3Nights https://t.co/E3WfMjnVL9 pic.twitter.com/QFv476GL0b — yacht girl (@yachtgirlmm) November 27, 2019

Markle’s close friendship pre-Harry with actress Priyanka Chopra has naturally led some to guess that Chopra once yachted as well.

Another actress that faces endless rumors of yachting is Russian actress Irina Shayk , which according to THR, is par for the course as the outlet writes that yachting your way to stardom happens with “disturbing frequency,” particularly when it comes to foreign-born actresses.

According to THR, who claims to know “of at least one now-prominent actress who made her first connections on a Cannes yacht and quickly landed her debut role in a U.S.-shot movie,” such as with Shayk’s 2014 film “Hercules,” it’s “a red flag any time you see a foreign-born actress with no credits suddenly make her way into a U.S.-shot movie.”

Of course, when it comes to yachting in Hollywood, all of these claims appear to be unfounded.

These rumors make for good gossip, whether you’re talking about low-level social media influencers or high-profile celebrity actresses.

However, nothing is proven, leaving us to wonder any time we see a photo of women on a yacht.

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Micki Spollen is an editor, writer, and traveler focused on relationships, news, and pop culture. Follow her on Instagram .

What Is a Yacht Girl? The Dark TikTok Secret Explained

W hen you think of the phrase “ perfect summer ,” what comes to mind? For some, it’s being on a boat big enough to hold all of their friends. Sun-kissed skin, a gentle breeze, h’ordeuvres and libations. Music is pumping and love is flowing as we swag surf like ocean waves. Something about the water and being on a huge boat makes this new core memory all the more special. That’s a yacht fantasy, shared by a girl’s girl.

However, “yacht girls” do yachting a lot more often and have a different take on the aquatic activity. So, what happens in the cases when billionaires join the party, when money is no object and time is even more abundant? Here’s where we drop the anchor and get to the bottom of the question, “What is a yacht girl?”

Yachting vs. Being a Yacht Girl

According to TikTok , yachting is an experience afforded to folks who are accustomed to sailing on big boats. Yacht girls, however, take on those appearances and some extra duties too. They serve as the entertainment for well-off men that request their company. They must look the part and have time to spare, as traveling is a part of the deal. A background in service work may come in handy as drinks and appetizers are often on the menu. The girls may find that they’re on the menu too, but it’s been said that the money makes it worth it. A few celebrities may have had a past in yachting before evolving in their careers, from Nina Dobrev and Miranda Kerr to Nicole Scherzinger and Chantel Jeffries.

The Life of a Yacht Girl

As we know, with money comes a certain amount of power and with that comes influence. Yacht girls who have agency-backing might feel a bit more protected than those booking gigs on their own or through a friend. The yacht environments are high-pressure for girl’s who aren’t willing to accommodate guests requests. And captains have been known to minimize yacht girls’ concerns. A TikToker shared one of her follower’s stories about their “yacht girl” experience: what the expectations were, what she was willing and not willing to do. 

When sex is apart of the expectations , payment comes in the form of money and sometimes jewels (i.e. $80,000 and a diamond bracelet). Seeing as escort services remain illegal and taboo, yachting is still a rather secret way of living, leading to a lot of mistreatment going under the radar. The alleged celebrities and Instagram models who participate in this industry have successfully kept it all under wraps, even as personal accounts and documentaries surface. As the digging deepens though, we can expect to hear more horrifying stories about this style of travel that has developed sinister undertones. 

Safety and Rules

For those who are only embracing the aesthetic and a good time with friends, by all means, live your life. Don the striped bathing suits and two-pieces. These are memories to be made and reflected upon in years to come. However, if you find yourself on the other side of yachting, be sure to put safety first and write your own rules when you can.

The post What Is a Yacht Girl? The Dark TikTok Secret Explained appeared first on 21Ninety .

Unveiling the Truth: What is a Yacht Girl

Introduction.

Yacht Girls have been a topic of discussion lately, with many people wondering what the term means and why it has gained popularity. In this blog post, we will be unveiling the truth behind the term and exploring its various interpretations. The term "Yacht Girl" refers to a woman who is hired to accompany wealthy men on their yachts. While some people view this as a form of sex work, others argue that it is simply a job that involves providing companionship and entertainment. The reason why the term has gained popularity lately is due to the rise of social media influencers who document their experiences as Yacht Girls. These influencers often showcase their luxurious lifestyle, which includes traveling to exotic locations and attending high-end events. The purpose of this blog post is to provide a comprehensive understanding of what a Yacht Girl is and to explore the controversy surrounding the term. We will be discussing the lifestyle of a Yacht Girl, the perks and challenges that come with it, and the expenses involved. We will also be examining the criticism and negative perception of Yacht Girls, including the connection to sex work and human trafficking. Finally, we will be looking at the impact of COVID-19 on the Yacht Girl industry and the potential changes and regulations that may arise in the future. It is important to understand the truth behind the term "Yacht Girl" and to have an open-minded perspective on the matter. While there are certainly valid concerns regarding the exploitation of women in the industry, it is also important to acknowledge the agency and personal choice of those who choose to pursue this line of work. By exploring the various interpretations and controversies surrounding Yacht Girls, we hope to provide a balanced and informative perspective on the topic.

Table of Content

Defining yacht girl, lifestyle of a yacht girl, the controversy surrounding yacht girls, the future of yacht girls.

A Yacht Girl is a term that has gained popularity in recent years, but what exactly does it mean? At its core, a Yacht Girl is a woman who is hired to accompany wealthy individuals on their yachts. However, the term has taken on different interpretations and connotations. Some people view Yacht Girls as high-end escorts or sex workers, while others see them as simply providing companionship and entertainment. The history of Yacht Girls dates back to the early 20th century when wealthy individuals would hire women to accompany them on their yachts. However, the term has evolved over time and has become more prevalent in popular culture. To define a Yacht Girl, it's important to understand the context in which the term is used. Generally, a Yacht Girl is a woman who is hired to provide companionship, entertainment, and sometimes sexual services to wealthy individuals on their yachts. However, it's important to note that not all Yacht Girls engage in sexual activities and that the term can also refer to women who work as chefs, stewardesses, or other positions on yachts. The term Yacht Girl has been met with controversy and criticism, with some people connecting it to sex work and human trafficking. However, others argue that Yacht Girls have agency and are making a personal choice to work in this industry. It's important to understand the different interpretations and perceptions of the term and to recognize that not all Yacht Girls are the same. In conclusion, defining a Yacht Girl is not a straightforward task as the term has taken on different meanings and interpretations. However, at its core, a Yacht Girl is a woman who is hired to provide companionship and entertainment to wealthy individuals on their yachts. It's important to understand the context in which the term is used and to recognize that not all Yacht Girls engage in sexual activities.

Being a Yacht Girl is not just a job, it's a lifestyle. It's a lifestyle that comes with its own set of perks and challenges. Yacht Girls are often hired to accompany wealthy individuals on their yachts, providing them with company and entertainment. They are expected to be well-groomed, well-spoken, and knowledgeable about a variety of topics. One of the biggest perks of being a Yacht Girl is the opportunity to travel to exotic locations. Yacht Girls often accompany their clients on trips to places like the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and the South Pacific. They get to experience the luxury of yachting and the beauty of these destinations. However, the lifestyle of a Yacht Girl is not all glamour and luxury. It can be physically and emotionally demanding. Yacht Girls are expected to be available 24/7 and to cater to their clients' every need. They may have to work long hours and be away from their families and friends for extended periods of time. Another challenge of being a Yacht Girl is the expense that comes with it. Yacht Girls are responsible for their own travel expenses, including flights and visas. They also have to pay for their own accommodation and food while on board the yacht. This can be a significant financial burden, especially if they are not earning a high salary. Despite the challenges, many Yacht Girls enjoy their lifestyle and find it rewarding. They get to meet interesting people, travel to beautiful locations, and earn a good income. However, it's important to remember that being a Yacht Girl is not for everyone. It requires a certain level of dedication, professionalism, and resilience.

Yacht Girls have been a topic of controversy and criticism in recent years. Many people associate the term with sex work and human trafficking, which has led to a negative perception of those who identify as Yacht Girls. However, it is important to understand that not all Yacht Girls engage in sex work or are victims of human trafficking. The criticism and negative perception of Yacht Girls stem from the fact that some individuals use the term as a euphemism for prostitution. This has led to the misconception that all Yacht Girls are involved in the sex industry. In reality, Yacht Girls are simply women who work on yachts and provide hospitality services to guests. Another issue that has contributed to the negative perception of Yacht Girls is the connection to human trafficking. Some people believe that Yacht Girls are victims of human trafficking and are forced to work on yachts against their will. While it is true that human trafficking is a serious issue that needs to be addressed, it is important to note that not all Yacht Girls are victims of trafficking. The argument of personal choice and agency is also relevant in this discussion. Some individuals argue that Yacht Girls have the right to choose their profession and lifestyle, and that it is not up to others to judge or criticize them. Others argue that the Yacht Girl industry perpetuates a culture of objectification and exploitation of women. In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Yacht Girls is complex and multifaceted. While there are valid concerns about the negative perception and potential exploitation of those who identify as Yacht Girls, it is important to understand the truth behind the term and not make assumptions based on stereotypes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the Yacht Girl industry, as it has on many other industries. With travel restrictions and social distancing measures in place, the number of yacht charters has decreased, resulting in a decrease in demand for Yacht Girls. Many Yacht Girls have lost their jobs or have had to take a break from the industry. However, as the world slowly recovers from the pandemic, the Yacht Girl industry is expected to bounce back. In fact, some experts predict that the demand for yacht charters will increase as people seek more private and exclusive travel options. This could mean a resurgence in the demand for Yacht Girls. But with the negative perception and controversy surrounding the term, there may also be potential changes and regulations in the industry. Some countries have already implemented stricter laws and regulations to prevent human trafficking and exploitation. It is possible that more regulations will be put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of Yacht Girls. Despite the challenges and controversies, the future of Yacht Girls remains uncertain. It is up to the industry and society as a whole to address the issues and ensure that Yacht Girls are treated with respect and dignity. As with any industry, there are both positive and negative aspects to being a Yacht Girl. It is important to understand the truth behind the term and to approach the topic with an open mind and a willingness to learn.

In conclusion, it is important to understand the truth behind the term "Yacht Girl." While the lifestyle may seem glamorous and luxurious, there are also challenges and controversies surrounding it. It is crucial to acknowledge the negative perception and criticism of Yacht Girls, as well as the potential connection to sex work and human trafficking. However, it is also important to recognize the argument of personal choice and agency. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the Yacht Girl industry, there may be potential changes and regulations in the future. It is uncertain what the future outlook will be, but it is important to continue the conversation and understanding of the term. Overall, the term "Yacht Girl" is complex and multi-faceted. It is important to have a clear understanding of what it means and the potential implications that come with it. By acknowledging both the positive and negative aspects of the lifestyle, we can have a more informed and nuanced perspective.

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Alone on the Ocean, With 400,000 Friends

As Cole Brauer speeds to the finish of a solo race around the world, she is using Instagram to blow up sailing’s elitist image.

Before she could begin the Global Solo Challenge, a nonstop solo race around the world, Cole Brauer had to sail First Light, a 40-foot yacht, from Rhode Island to Spain. Credit... Samuel Hodges

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By Chris Museler

• Published Feb. 29, 2024 Updated March 1, 2024

Video dinner parties, spa days, stuffed animals, favorite hoodies and cozy, colorful fleece blankets. Cole Brauer’s Instagram feed hardly feels like the work of someone racing a 40-foot sailboat around the world in the Global Solo Challenge. But Ms. Brauer, 29, is not an average ocean racer.

In 2022, Ms. Brauer had tried out for another competition, the Ocean Race, which is considered the pinnacle of professional ocean racing. Sailors in that race are highly trained, wear matching foul weather gear and have corporate sponsors. And most of them are men. Ms. Brauer, who had sailed thousands of miles on high performance ocean racing boats, felt she was ready to join their ranks.

But after competing in trials in France, Ms. Brauer was told she was “too short for the Southern Ocean” and was sent on her way.

In spite of her small stature — she stands 5 feet 1 inch — Ms. Brauer rounded Cape Horn, Chile, on Jan. 26, the last of the three great capes of her journey to finish the Global Solo Challenge. It is a feat most of the Ocean Race sailors picked instead of her have never even attempted. And despite being the youngest competitor in the race, she is ranked second overall, just days away from reaching the finish line in A Coruña, Spain.

Along the way, her tearful reports of breakages and failures, awe-struck moments during fiery sunrises, dance parties and “shakas” signs at the end of each video have garnered her a following that has eclipsed any sailor’s or sailing event’s online, even the Ocean Race and the America’s Cup, a prestigious race that is more well known by mainstream audiences.

“I’m so happy to have rounded the Horn,” Ms. Brauer said in a video call from her boat, First Light, after a morning spent sponging out endless condensation and mildew from its bilges. “It feels like Day 1. I feel reborn knowing I’ll be in warmer weather. The depression you feel that no one in the world can fix that. Your house is trying to sink and you can’t stop it.”

Shifting gears, she added, “It’s all getting better.”

Ms. Brauer’s rise in popularity — she has more than 400,000 followers on Instagram — has come as a surprise to her, but her achievements, combined with her bright personality, have struck a chord. And she has set a goal of using her platform to change the image of professional ocean sailing.

“Cole wants to prove you can go around the world and watch Netflix every once in a while and wear your pajamas,” said Lydia Mullan, Ms. Brauer’s media manager. “As for her mental health, she’s really creating a space in her routine for herself, to create that joy she hasn’t seen in other sailors.”

Four months after she began the Global Solo Challenge, a solo, nonstop race around the world featuring sailboats of different sizes, Ms. Brauer is holding strong. Sixteen sailors began the journey and only eight remain on the ocean, with the Frenchman Philippe Delamare having finished first on Feb. 24 after 147 days at sea.

Ms. Brauer, who was more than a week ahead of her next closest competitor as of Thursday morning, is on track to set a speed record for her boat class, and to be the first American woman to complete a solo, nonstop sailing race around the world.

Her Authentic Self

Ms. Brauer has been happy to turn the image of a professional sailor on its head. Competitors in the Ocean Race and the America’s Cup tend to pose for static social media posts with their arms crossed high on their chests, throwing stern glares. Ms. Brauer would rather be more comfortable.

She brought objects like fleece blankets on her journey, despite the additional weight, and said solo sailing has helped give her the freedom to be herself.

“Without those things I would be homesick and miserable,” she said of her supply list. “We need comfort to be human. Doing my nails. Flossing. It’s hard for the general public to reach pro sailors. People stop watching. If you treat people below you, people stop watching.”

Other female sailors have noticed the same disconnect. “The year I did the Vendée Globe, Michel Desjoyeaux didn’t mention that anything went wrong,” Dee Caffari, a mentor of Ms. Brauer’s who has sailed around the world six times, said of that race’s winner. “Then we saw his jobs list after the finish and we realized he was human.”

Ms. Brauer, as her social media followers can attest, is decidedly human.

They have gotten used to her “hangout” clothes and rock-out sessions. Her team produces “Tracker Tuesdays,” where a weather forecaster explains the routes Ms. Brauer chooses and why she uses different sails, and “Shore Team Sunday,” where team members are introduced.

“In the beginning I looked at what she was doing, posting about washing her knickers in bucket and I was like, ‘No! What are you doing?’” Ms. Caffari said. “I’ve been so professional and corporate in my career. She’s been so authentic and taken everyone around the world with her. Cole is that next generation of sailor. They tell their story in a different way and it’s working.”

Finding a Purpose

Ms. Brauer was introduced to sailing at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Those days of casual racing on the turquoise waters of Kaneohe Bay informed her vision of an inclusive sailing community. That image was shattered when she came to the mainland to try her hand at professional sailing.

“When I came to the East Coast it was so closed off,” she said of those early experiences. “I couldn’t get a job in the industry. Pro sailors were jaded. They didn’t want anyone to take their job. It’s a gig-based economy. Competition, we’re pinned against each other, especially women in high-performance sailing since there are fewer of us.”

“This whole process of being a pro sailor over the past five years, I feel mentally punched in the face and my legs kicked out from under me,” she added. “I screamed and I cried. Without those experiences I wouldn’t be as mentally tough. It made me callused.”

A big break happened when she landed a gig as boat captain for Michael Hennessy’s successful Class40 Dragon. The boat was a perfect platform to hone her ocean sailing skills as she ripped up and down the East Coast delivering it to races, often alone, pushing Dragon to its limits. Her Instagram posts of those adventures drew attention, and she was invited to tryout for the Ocean Race, a fully crewed race around the world in powerful 65-footers.

“I was crushed,” Ms. Brauer said of being rejected after the trials.

Ms. Brauer, though, found a new purpose. After months of living in her van and working on Dragon, she found a benefactor in F.K. Day, the president of World Bicycle Relief and the executive vice president of SRAM Corporation, who, along with his brother Lincoln, agreed to buy a boat and fund a massive refit for the Global Solo Challenge, which was only three months away.

Conducting the hurricane of activity last summer in Newport, R.I., Ms. Brauer knew this was her moment to shine. But representatives for her new sponsors had reservations about her bold social media experiment.

“I got a massive pushback: ‘How can you be so vain. This isn’t important. We don’t want to pay for this,’” she said. “I said none of this is going to matter if the world can’t see it.”

Her boat was covered with cameras her shore team could monitor, with technology allowing for constant recording that could be used to capture unexpected twists. Ms. Brauer got some immediate traction, but nothing prepared her for the numbers she would hit once the race began.

“We were taking bets in Spain,” said Ms. Brauer, who had to sail First Light nearly 3,000 miles from Newport to Spain as a qualifier for the race. “There was a photo of me excited we hit 10,000 followers. Ten thousand for a little race? That’s massive.”

A few months later she has 40 times that count.

A Dangerous Journey

Only a handful of solo ocean racers have been American, all of whom being male. Now Ms. Brauer has a larger following than any of them, pushing far beyond the typical reach of her sport.

“This is a really good case study,” says Marcus Hutchinson, a project manager for ocean racing teams. For me she’s an influencer. She’s a Kardashian. People will be looking for her to promote a product. She doesn’t need to worry about what the American sailors think. That’s parochial. She has to split with the American environment.”

Unlike her peers, Ms. Brauer is happy to do some extracurricular work along the way toward goals like competing in the prestigious Vendée Globe. “I’m part of the social media generation,” she said. “It’s not a burden to me.”

The playful videos and colorful backdrop, though, can make it easy for her followers to forget that she is in the middle of a dangerous race. Half her competitors in the Global Solo Challenge have pulled out, and ocean races still claim lives, particularly in the violent, frigid storms of the Southern Ocean.

“She was apprehensive,” Ms. Caffari said of Ms. Brauer’s rounding Cape Horn. “I told her: ‘You were devastated that you didn’t get on the Ocean Race. Now look at you. Those sailors didn’t even get to go to the Southern Ocean.’”

The question now is how Ms. Brauer will retain her followers’ desire for content after the race is over.

“She will be unaware of the transition she went through,” Mr. Hutchinson said. “She’s become a celebrity and hasn’t really realized it.”

Ms. Brauer, however, said she received as much from her followers as she gave them.

“They are so loving,” she said. “I send a photo of a sunset, and they paint watercolors of the scene to sell and raise money for the campaign. When I start to feel down, they let me stand on their shoulders.”

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Decoding Hollywood's Disturbing "Yachting" Culture Beneath the Glamour

Dec. 19 2023, Published 10:41 p.m. ET

We explore the hidden meaning of "yachting" in Hollywood: individuals, often women, get paid large sums to spend time with wealthy individuals for career advancement.

Individuals may face uncomfortable situations, including sexual assault, trading dignity for fame, and money in a corrupt industry.

Prominent figures like Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Nina Dobrev, Hailey Bieber, and Emily Ratajkowski have all been linked anecdotally to Nonsense Pudding .

Thanks to influencers like Deux Moi , normies are finally getting a peek into the life of the rich and famous. And while pictures aboard yachts surrounded by luxury may look glamorous to all of us, it isn't necessarily all that it’s cracked up to be. Stories have been coming out for decades about people, often women, who subject themselves to “yachting.”

We may associate yachting with rich guys sailing in races, but it actually has a much darker meaning in Hollywood . It’s often considered Hollywood’s oldest “open secret,” but what actually is “yachting”? Keep reading for all of the details.

In Hollywood, "yachting" is the practice of getting paid large sums of money to spend time with wealthy people.

At its most innocent, “yachting” is a PR opportunity for an up-and-coming actor or model. However, it’s often much more sinister. Basically, typically women on their way up in the industry may get paid a large sum of money — five, six, or even seven figures — to spend time with wealthy men. The benefit for the women is the money, the photo ops of luxury, and a potential opportunity to meet someone who could give them a leg up in the industry.

However, they often aren’t told what strings are attached before agreeing to “yacht” with someone. Many of these excursions often lead to sex and other forms of assault. Although the women tend to be up and coming celebs and influencers, they are essentially selling their body for the entirety of their time on the yacht. It gives “the implication” a whole new meaning.

“Yachting” is a common and known practice in Hollywood, but it could also be considered prostitution.

In 2007, businessman Elie Nahas was convicted of running a prostitution ring at the Cannes Film Festival. He claimed that he was only responsible for getting women to Cannes and had nothing to do with what happened after, but even if he did, there are hundreds of other men doing the same thing.

Many of us see pictures of celebrities on yachts and luxury vacations and think, "Wow, imagine living that life!" But in reality, they're being paid to spend time with someone they may not like just because it could further their career. But in doing so, many give up their bodies.

In fact, one Redditor wrote : “You are essentially being bought for a certain period of time. Hence why people get drugged, raped, fondled, sleep with men older than their fathers, pissed and shat on. Once everything is said and done, the trauma and memories of doing those things stay with you forever. Your dignity is being leveraged for fame and money. Let’s not forget a lot of these encounters are filmed and can easily be used to blackmail these young stars.”

It’s an example of powerful men taking advantage of young women with dreams of succeeding in an already corrupt industry. But the practice is so common that stories have circulated about Selena Gomez , Ariana Grande, Kylie and Kendall Jenner , Nina Dobrev, Hailey Bieber, and many other big stars.

@al.laure1209 Best way to fill the pool 🛥 #yacht #yachtlife #yachtdesign #boat #boating #luxuryyacht #sailing #superyacht #topyacht #yachtinglife #yachtingworld #yachting #yachtlifestyle #yachtcrew #cannes #cannesyachtingfestival ♬ original sound - Alex

Emily Ratajkowski also talks about it in her memoir, My Body . She explains how she was paid $25,000 early on in her career just to accompany Jho Low to the Super Bowl, without understanding what she was expected to do. So while the idea of riding around on a luxury yacht might sound ideal, many paths there aren’t as great.

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29 Celebrities Having #YachtGirlSummers

Last week, Issa Rae threw her third annual yacht party, attended by stars including Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade, and Logan Browning. The tradition was born out of the desire to, as she put it during a recent Tonight Show appearance , "do yacht ish." Kylie Jenner also set sail this week; she is spending her 22nd birthday cruising the Mediterranean with friends and family on a yacht that costs $1M a week to rent. Rae is right about one thing: yachting is an art form. A culture. A genre of Instagram posts that we can't get enough of. Here, 29 celebs just doing #YachtShit.

Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade

Jennifer lopez, kylie jenner, kate hudson, sofia richie, the jonas brothers, priyanka chopra, noah centineo, kim kardashian, lindsay lohan, selena gomez, britney spears, kourtney kardashian, hailey baldwin, bella hadid and kendall jenner, john legend and chrissy teigen.

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A Lake Oswego dad is accused of drugging girls at a sleepover by lacing smoothies: Reports

A Lake Oswego, Oregon man Michael Meyden is accused of drugging three 12-year-old girls at a sleepover, police say. Police have confirmed that the sleepover was at Meyden's house. Multiple media outlets are reporting that he is the father to a girl who was hosting the sleepover and the girls drugged were his daughter's friends.

The investigation started on Aug. 26, when Lake Oswego police were called to the Randall Children’s Hospital emergency room, where the three girls tested positive for having ingested benzodiazepine .

According to a press release, 57-year-old Meyden was indicted for the following:

• 3 counts of Causing Another to Ingest a Controlled Substance
• 3 counts of Application of a Schedule-4 Controlled Substance to Another
• 3 counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance to a Minor

The benzodiazepine was given to the three girls through mango smoothies Meyden is accused of lacing and serving to them, according to Oregonian/Oregon Live.

Police say Meyden turned himself into the Clackamas County Jail on Tuesday Feb. 28. His bail was set at $50,000, reports Oregonian/Oregon Live .

A representative from the jail told USA TODAY that he has since been released.

USA TODAY has also reached out to gather court documents to get more details on the case. That request has not yet been fulfilled.

Sleepover debate: My 8-year-old daughter got her first sleepover invite. There's no way she's going.

What are benzodiazepines?

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration , benzodiazepines are "depressants that produce sedation and hypnosis, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and reduce seizures."

They are commonly known as benzos and downers.

"Benzodiazepines slow down the central nervous system and may cause sleepiness and relaxed mood," states the DEA's website. "Benzodiazepines are associated with amnesia, hostility, irritability, and vivid or disturbing dreams."

People who overdose on the pill can feel extreme drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination and more.

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture.   You can follow her on  X, formerly known as Twitter ,  Instagram  and  TikTok : @juliamariegz.

Theyre twenty-something girls who travel first class, party like rock stars and showcase their five-star lifestyles on social media. But whos paying? JenniferSavininvestigates.

I know very little about these twentysomething women – not their full names, nor where they live, or indeed what they do. But I watch from afar as they dance on tabletops in Mykonos, sunbathe on the bows of glossy super-yachts in the South of France or pose in front of bathroom mirrors in seven-star Dubai hotels.

Who are they, I wonder, as I lick Dorito dust off my fingers and zoom in on their bicycle-tyre lips and cantilevered bottoms, staring at the designer hauls that lie scattered on hotel beds behind them. Who are these women who appear not to pause for work, but instead flit around the globe, partying in the world’s most rarefied clubs and restaurants and documenting their lavish lifestyles across social media?

And how does a twenty-something woman like me, whose last Instagram Story was about eating dinner sitting on her rented kitchen floor, due to lack of furniture and funds, get in on the action?

‘There is a circuit for these girls,’ confirms Mariana, an expert with waist-length jet-black hair and a Coca-Cola-bottle figure, who has the sort of indecipherable accent that one can only describe as ‘international. ‘It starts in May with the Cannes Film Festival, followed by the Grand Prix in Monaco, then Saint-Tropez for the last two weeks of July.’

This story is from the November 2018 edition of Cosmopolitan Australia.

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Sex, violence, 'Game of Thrones'-style power grabs — the new 'Shōgun' has it all

David Bianculli

Anna Sawai plays translator Toda Mariko in the new FX series Shōgun . Katie Yu/FX hide caption

Anna Sawai plays translator Toda Mariko in the new FX series Shōgun .

The original Shōgun , on NBC, aired in 1980, when miniseries were the hottest things on television. ABC's Roots had broken all ratings records just three years before – and three years later, the star of Shōgun , Richard Chamberlain, would score another massive miniseries hit with ABC's The Thorn Birds .

Even then, adapting James Clavell's sprawling story of an English sea pilot's adventures in Japan in the year 1600, was quite a gamble. The original version avoided subtitles, for the most part, to reflect the confusion the newly arrived pilot, John Blackthorne, felt when encountering Japanese culture and its people.

Except for occasional narration by Orson Welles, who sometimes threw in some radio-style acting by interpreting what a warlord was saying, most viewers in 1980 were as clueless as the sailor in the story. Eventually, things became a bit clearer when one of the Japanese rulers, Lord Toranaga, appointed a trusted translator: Lady Mariko, to whom the pilot became increasingly, and dangerously, attracted.

Part of the great appeal of that miniseries was the powerful performance by Toshiro Mifune as Toranaga. Foreign film fans at the time knew him as the star of the original Seven Samurai. But the chemistry between Chamberlain as Blackthorne, and the Japanese actor Yoko Shimada as his translator Mariko, was a big part of it, too.

This new, 10-part interpretation of Shōgun , adapted for TV by the married writing team of Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, uses subtitles throughout – a choice that makes the narrative more immediately understandable. It also focuses just as strongly, and just as effectively, on the same three central figures.

Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga Katie Yu/FX hide caption

Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga

Lord Toranaga is played by Hiroyuki Sanada, who's so imposing that even his silences are powerful. The translator, Lady Mariko, is played by Anna Sawai, who brings to her character even more strength, mystery and charisma than in the 1980 version. And instead of the matinee-idol-handsome Chamberlain as pilot Blackthorne, we have Cosmo Jarvis – an actor who looks more ruggedly handsome, and sounds a lot like Richard Burton. It takes a while for the three characters, and actors, to share the screen – but when they finally do, it's entrancing.

This new Shōgun has other strong performances as well, but they're not the only things that make this 2024 version so successful. Special and visual effects have improved exponentially in the almost 45 years since the original Shōgun was televised, and it shows here: Every storm at sea, every battle scene and, especially, every earthquake is rendered with excitement and credibility.

And finally, there's the overarching story, which has Toranaga employing Blackthorne as his secret weapon in a deadly civil war. The power grabs among the five rulers are like the hostilities in The Game of Thrones – except instead of a Red Wedding, there's a Crimson Sky.

I went back and rewatched the original Shōgun to see if it holds up. It does. But the several directors who worked on Shōgun for FX deliver a new version that looks much more stunning. It's sexier, more violent, and even more thought-provoking and illuminating than the original ... all of which, in this context, are meant as compliments.

The first two episodes of Shōgun are televised on FX opening night, and streamed the next day on Hulu, with the remaining episodes presented weekly. Don't miss it: With this Shōgun , as with the original, the TV miniseries is alive and well.

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Sheriff apologizes for posting possible crime scene photo in madeline soto case, madeline soto case sheriff posts possible crime scene photo on ig ... apologizes, cites accident, 181 3/4/2024 6:19 pm pt.

The sheriff for the area where 13-year-old Madeline Soto disappeared and died is under fire for seemingly posting a photo from the crime scene, and now the department is apologizing.

This debacle is playing out down in Osceola County, Florida -- where Madeline's body was discovered Friday by officials there in a wooded area after she went missing from her home in neighboring Orange County last week.

On Saturday -- a day after Madeline was found deceased -- a photo of human remains was reportedly posted to the official Instagram account for Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez . The photo, believed to be a confidential image from the crime scene and since deleted, is said to show a body matching Madeline's description lying dead on the ground.

Now, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office is telling local news outlets the photo was accidentally included in a post about a community event for seniors. They add ... "We deeply apologize for any confusion or disturbance this may have caused."

The Sheriff's office is neither confirming nor denying the photo depicted Madeline's body.

Somehow, this all gets worse for the Osceola County Sheriff's Office ... because the same morning the alleged Soto photo was posted on IG, another member of the sheriff's office shared a selfie with Stephan Sterns , the boyfriend of Madeline's mother ... and the prime suspect in her disappearance and death, who has since been taken into custody.

Nirva Rodriguez , the OCSD executive director, shared the image on her personal Facebook page ... showing Sterns being led out of a building in handcuffs. She reportedly captured her post ... "If God’s love has been poured out over your life, don’t allow evil to keep you away from what He has prepared for you." Unclear what her intent behind the post/message was.

In any case ... the selfie was reportedly snapped after Sterns was booked on charges of child pornography and sexually battering a child.

MAJOR DEVELOPMENT in the case of missing 13-year-old Madeline Soto: This evening, the Kissimmee Police Department, working in conjunction with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Stephan Sterns, 37, for sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material.… pic.twitter.com/yZn8O8JpYM — Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) February 29, 2024 @OrangeCoSheriff

Law enforcement has not specifically tied those charges to Madeline's case just yet ... nor have they officially charged him in her disappearance or death. He has yet to enter a plea.

Rodriguez's FB post with Sterns has also been deleted, FWIW ... and it's worth noting she oversees multiple divisions with OCSD, including media, outreach and community services.

While multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in locating Madeline and bringing Sterns into custody -- the Kissimmee Police Department is now the one in charge of investigating the teen's death and disappearance ... and Florida law broadly prohibits the release of photos depicting the killing of a minor without permission from surviving family.

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Missing 13-year-old Florida girl found dead and mother's boyfriend suspected of moving her body

The body of missing Florida girl Madeline Soto was found in a wooded area Friday afternoon, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said, hours after the department said they believed the 13-year-old was dead.

Her mother's boyfriend is suspected of moving her body and the case is a homicide investigation, Sheriff John Mina said at a news conference earlier in the day.

Madeline's body was found around 4:30 p.m. by Osceola County Sheriff’s Office search teams in a wooded area off Hickory Tree Road, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said in an update.

"Madeline’s family has been notified. We have no additional information to release at this time. Kissimmee PD is the lead agency in this homicide investigation. That work continues," the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff’s office previously said Madeline was last seen Monday morning when her mother’s boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, 37, dropped her off a few blocks from Hunter’s Creek Middle School in Orlando. 

Evidence now reveals she was never dropped off near her school that morning, Mina said in a Friday press conference . 

Sterns, who authorities call the "prime suspect" in the case, was arrested Wednesday night on separate charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material after detectives found “disturbing images” and videos that were “criminal, and sexual in nature” during a forensic examination of his phone.

It is believed Madeline was killed in Kissimmee, where her family lived in an apartment, and that Sterns moved her body in the early morning hours Monday, Mina said.

"We have evidence that shows Stephen Stern’s returning to the complex and Madeline was visible in that vehicle. We believe she was already dead at that time,” the sheriff said. Authorities did not state what time that footage was captured.

Video evidence recovered by authorities showed Sterns discarding items in a dumpster at the Kissimmee apartment complex at 7:35 a.m. on Monday February 26. Detectives later recovered Madeline's backpack and her school-issued laptop from the dumpster.

Detectives informed Madeline's mother about her suspected death Thursday night. She is not considered a suspect in the investigation.

The Kissimmee Police Department will take over the case now that it has transitioned into a homicide investigation.

Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland had asked the public to come forward with tips as the search for the child was ongoing.

Sterns was seen driving a silver 2010 Lincoln MKZ on Monday between 1 and 2:30 p.m. in the area of State Road 192 and Old Hickory Tree and Nulty roads. It is believed he had a flat tire and might have been seen changing the tire in this area. 

Mina said Sterns has not spoken to anyone regarding the case. He has been moved to the Osceola County Jail where he’s being held on capital sexual battery charges filed by Kissimmee police.

Breaking News Reporter

Girl, 7, drowns in northern France as migrants attempt to cross Channel to UK

The young girl was with her three siblings, pregnant mother, and father, who all fell into the canal shortly after the boat was launched, according to local officials.

Sunday 3 March 2024 14:41, UK

A seven-year-old girl has drowned after a migrant boat capsized in northern France.

The child was among 16 on board the boat when it capsized shortly after it was launched in the Canal de l'Aa in Watten, around 20 miles away from Calais.

She was with her three siblings, pregnant mother, and father, local officials said, with surviving members of the family taken to hospital in nearby Dunkirk on Sunday.

The canal leads to the North Sea and is a route regularly used by migrants attempting to cross the Channel to the UK.

The boat, "probably stolen", according to Bertrand Gaume, prefect of the Hauts-de-France region, was also carrying a couple, two men, and six young children.

None of them are in a life-threatening condition, he added.

A facility has been set up at the town hall in Watten for those rescued to get shelter and food.

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A UK government spokesperson said: "This morning, the French authorities responded to an incident in Watten, Hauts-de-France, which resulted in a child losing their life.

"Our thoughts are with the victim's family and friends at this time, while they process this devastating loss of life.

"We will continue to work to stop the boats, working closely with France to prevent these dangerous crossings. We remain committed to breaking the cycle, ending exploitation by gangs and preventing further loss of life."

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A young girl died in France after a boat capsized on the English Channel crossing migrant route

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PARIS (AP) —

A young girl died after a boat capsized on the treacherous English Channel crossing route used by migrants hoping to reach Britain, French authorities said Sunday.

A statement from the prefecture responsible for the north of France said a small boat carrying 16 people capsized off the coast of the northern port city of Dunkirk on Sunday morning.

The vessel was too small for the number of passengers, authorities said. A couple with four children were among the passengers when it capsized.

“The couple’s young daughter, aged 7, died from drowning,” the statement said. The girl’s father and her pregnant mother were rescued and taken to a hospital along with her three siblings, the statement also said.

Another couple, two men and six young children were also rescued and taken to a hospital with minor injuries, the statement said.

On Wednesday, three people died during an attempt to cross the English Channel from France.

In a statement, the maritime authorities overseeing French waters in the channel said about 180 people were assisted Wednesday in four rescue operations coordinated by the French side.

An estimated 30,000 people made the crossing in 2023, according to UK government figures released at the start of 2024.

Follow AP’s coverage of global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration