Captain Jason Chambers at BravoCon 2023
Photo by: Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images

EXCLUSIVE: Captain Jason Chambers on Being ‘Embarrassed’ by Attention, Below Deck Down Under, and His Contact Lens Journey

Fans know Captain Jason Chambers for many reasons. Captain Jason was the all-star of Below Deck Down Under. In Season 2, he took the proper steps in response to on board sexual misconduct. Many fans also know him as Captain Cutie, the heartthrob of the Bravo community.  

Moreover, viewers almost certainly remember watching his chief stew and best buddie, Aesha Scott, assist him with his contact lenses. As funny as that was, his vision problems almost impeded him from taking care of his necessary captain’s duties. Now, he doesn’t have an issue any longer thanks to his new lens provider.

Captain Jason joined writer Jonah Wardell for an interview to discuss all of this and more.

Captain Jason on the past and future of Below Deck Down Under

Photo Credit: MOVI Inc.

Jonah Wardell: Were you surprised by the success of Below Deck Down Under? Particularly, this latest season?

Jason Chambers: I live in the Philippines and Bali, so I would say the interest from fans is more of a shock when I got to America. That’s really leaning into the entertainment side of things, and it’s totally different than what I’m used to just working on a boat. When I get to America, I’m a little bit humbled, a little bit embarrassed by the attention, but enjoy the entertainment side of it and get to meet everyone and then get out and go and live remotely in the Philippines.

Jonah Wardell: One of Season 2’s most-discussed moments was the consent scandal. The first between Luke Jones and Margot Sisson, and your handling of the events. Months on, do you have any additional thoughts on the situation?

Jason Chambers: I think overall from production to crew we handled well; I’m just happy to see all involved have become better people out of this.

Jonah Wardell: Similarly, do you have any additional reflections on the misconduct from Laura Bileskalne toward Adam Kodra?

Jason Chambers: The decision to remove Laura was based mostly on removing all aspects of the situation and to go forward with a mindset from the crew that this was the end of this situation going forward — it had to be done to set the tone I wanted on board.

Jonah Wardell: Any thoughts on the future of Below Deck Down Under?

Jason Chambers: I don’t have much to tease because we haven’t started filming yet. I enjoy showing up to the boat when the location is picked, meeting the crew and getting on with it—that’s how we operate.

The vision issues that once held Captain Jason back

Video Credit: MOVI Inc.

Jonah Wardell: How have you found putting in your own contact lenses since charter season with Aesha?

Jason Chambers: I certainly still found it difficult to put in my contacts until my partnership with Acuvue came to fruition. Once I was fitted into the newest Acuvue contact lenses, ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day, I was able to insert them by myself on the first try!

Jonah Wardell: How have your vision issues impacted your life and role as captain? And how have ACUVUE lenses helped you since wearing them?

Jason Chambers: After never having any eye trouble, I found myself suddenly experiencing later in life vision issues and was prescribed glasses. However, because I’m a ship captain, I found that I was leaving my glasses all over the boat and constantly losing or breaking them. After too many lost and broken pairs of glasses, I finally switched to contact lenses.

Unfortunately, once I switched to contact lenses, I started to experience other issues, such as an uncomfortable fit, dryness, and difficulty inserting them. So much so, that as you saw on the show, I often relied on my chief stew to help put my contacts in.

Jonah Wardell: You said you would be documenting your contact lens journey via Instagram. How has that been going?

Jason Chambers: It’s going really well and there’s a lot more fun content to come, so make sure you follow me to keep up with my journey!

The status of Captain Jason, Lala, Brynn, Luann, and more!

Photo Credit: MOVI Inc.

Jonah Wardell: You’ve commented before on how unexpected it was for fans to speculate on your love life. Did you have any idea going into BDDU how your looks would be received by general audiences?

Jason Chambers: Definitely not and it’s been somewhat amusing and sometimes a little embarrassing, but it’s all in good fun. Let’s just run with it for a year or [two] before the old age sets in!

Jonah Wardell: You’ve been linked to multiple women at Bravo. Before I get into specifics, do you want to clear the air on your relationship with any other Bravolebrity?

Jason Chambers: I’m not looking to the world of reality TV to find my soulmate. My daughter is my first and most important priority, followed by my career – and it’s hard to find someone to fit into my active lifestyle.

Jonah Wardell: Brynn Whitfield said she planned on sliding into your DMs. Did that come to fruition and, if so, have you responded?

Jason Chambers: No DMs yet!

Jonah Wardell: Luann de Lesseps also commented that the two of you were “flirting away” upon meeting. Care to comment on that claim?

Jason Chambers: No, there was no flirting going on there. If anything it was a good intro at BravoCon and a good chat, that’s all.

Jonah Wardell: Now for the big one! Lala Kent recently said the two of you still keep in touch, but she isn’t looking for a partner. What’s your response to her statement?

Jason Chambers: I did meet Lala in person at BravoCon and she was lovely. We’ve kept in touch very occasionally but it hasn’t gone further than that.

Captain Jason was all too happy to be fitted for his ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day contact lenses, and to receive help from Dr. Danielle Richardson. Track his progress on his Instagram.

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