Fraser Olender Reveals Matt Rogers Split on Below Deck

Months apart because of demanding television production schedules and other professional commitments led Fraser Olender and comedian Matt Rogers to put their relationship on hold, the Below Deck chief stew explained during the show's Season 13 premiere on October 12, 2026. Olender discussed their separation while preparing to spend two to three months filming aboard M/Y Azul V in Thailand, while Rogers had his own busy schedule.

Olender clarified that the couple had not completely ended their connection when he spoke with producers. He also joked about his availability while working aboard the yacht.

“Technically, I’m still available for any deckies that want to have a cute little kiss here and there.”

He followed the remark with a joke about maintaining professional boundaries while working with the crew.

“But ultimately I’m hired to do the job, not to take away the girls’ boys.”

The comments marked Olender's first public discussion of the relationship's status on the show. The couple had made their relationship public after appearing together at BravoCon 2025, where both spoke positively about their connection.

At the time, Olender described himself as “very happy,” while Rogers said, “I have no complaints on the levels of love.”

During the October 12 episode, Olender also spoke about his feelings for Rogers while talking with returning stew Rainbeau de Roos. His remarks indicated that the relationship remained emotionally significant despite the separation.

“I fell in love with a man, and I still love him very much,” Olender said.

Olender explained to producers that the couple had enjoyed several months together before their professional commitments created a challenge. Their decision to take a break was intended to accommodate the time they would spend apart.

“We had a fabulous few months dating, and because I’m about to be away for the next two, three months—so is he with his schedule—we decided to put things somewhat on pause,” he explained.

Rather than completely ending contact, Olender said they planned to remain connected and reassess their relationship after filming. He was working aboard M/Y Azul V in Thailand during the season.

“Stay in touch as much as we feel like we want to, and see where we’re at when the season finishes,” Olender said.

Speaking privately with de Roos, Olender also described how they intended to support each other while living apart.

“Whilst I’m away, we’re kind of just like supporting each other from afar.”

According to People, the couple officially parted ways in July 2026. Rogers had previously disclosed in April that they were taking time apart, describing the arrangement as “[taking] a little bit of space.”

Their relationship began in August 2025, according to Rogers' comments on his podcast, approximately three months before BravoCon. Rogers later discussed how they met during a June 2026 appearance on TODAY with Jenna and Sheinelle, explaining that their connection began after Olender complimented the Las Culturistas Culture Awards in an interview.

Rogers said he contacted Olender through social media after seeing the compliment, describing the approach as a “classic DM slide.” He recalled sending a message to acknowledge the kind words.

“Hey, thanks for saying something nice.”

The comedian, who co-hosts the Las Culturistas podcast with Saturday Night Live alum Bowen Yang, also spoke about the couple's dynamic during a June appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. Rogers said Olender's professional instincts sometimes emerged in their personal relationship, particularly when Rogers was doing too much for him.

“It's funny though, whenever I'm doing too many things for him, he's like, 'Let me look after you. Let me look after you,'” Rogers recalled.

Rogers also expressed affection for Olender and highlighted a personal quality he particularly appreciated.

“I think one of my favorite things about him is his voice,” he added.

He continued to speak warmly about Olender during the same appearance, despite acknowledging that he had been unfamiliar with the reality series before they began dating.

“He's lovely. He's as lovely as you probably can guess.”

In June 2026, Rogers explained that watching Below Deck had previously been an unfamiliar part of his Bravo viewing habits.

“It was like my one Bravo blindspot,” he said.

Rogers added that he subsequently watched the show and developed his own views about it.

“But now I have done my research, and I have my opinions.”

Rogers and Olender also appeared together at the 2026 Las Culturistas Awards in May, where they made their red-carpet relationship appearance. Rogers and Yang began hosting the Culture Awards on Bravo in 2025, and Olender attended the following year's ceremony with Rogers on Saturday, May 30.

In March 2026, Rogers traveled to Thailand to vacation with Olender. The pair shared photographs of themselves at a resort in Phuket, including images taken beside its pool.

“The unwind of it all,” Olender commented on the vacation post.

Although the couple had publicly supported each other and spent time together during their relationship, their demanding schedules ultimately led them to reconsider how to maintain their connection while working in different places.