[ad_1]
“Below Deck Sailing Yacht” star Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux has confirmed that he is the father of former co-star Dani Soare’s baby.
“I can’t let 2022 go any further without sharing some beautiful news,” Cerza-Lanaux shared on Instagram alongside a photo of him overlooking Panama City on Wednesday. “An international DNA test that was done awhile [sic] ago was no small feat. I’m happy and proud to say Sweet and beautiful Lilly rose is my daughter.”
The deckhand, 26, explained that he and Soares, 33, have been learning how to co-parent.
“Dani and I have been working and communicating together to the best of our ability; given Dani is a full-time mother and worker, and I being gone for extended periods of time not knowing when I will step back on land,” he wrote. “This is imperative for the sake of our daughter as she needs both parents in her life.”
He also said that he has been keeping a low profile for the sake of his mental health.
“My silence on social media has been intentional and much needed. I used that time to focus on what was important to me and my mental health,” he said.
Cerza-Lanaux shared that he will “no longer [felt] the need to explain” himself going forward. He ended the post thanking those who have supported him “through thick and thin,” adding, “I will be striving to be the best man and father that I can be.”
The former reality star came under scrutiny over the summer when he requested a paternity test after Soares strongly suggested that he was her baby’s dad prior to giving birth in May 2021.
“Well, let’s put it this way: This baby was made during this season while we had cameras 24/7 with us, and I only slept with one guy,” Soares told Andy Cohen during the show’s reunion in June, pointing to Cerza-Lanaux.
Soares, who dated Cerza-Lanaux on the “Below Deck” spinoff, said her baby’s father “seemed supportive” about the pregnancy at first but claimed that “things just changed.” When she was four months pregnant, Soares said she received a message from him that read, “Don’t go around telling people I’m the dad of this child.”
Cerza-Lanaux responded to Soares’ claims by saying that she wanted her “15 minutes of fame,” and that, “if [the baby’s] mine, I want to be involved 100 percent.”
Soares’ rep didn’t immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
[ad_2]