Dark Secrets Of The Below Deck Cast
"Below Deck" and its sister show "Below Deck Mediterranean" have been huge hits for Bravo since the original series began in 2013, which is why another yachting spin-off was already in the works in early 2019. And while the on-screen drama between the crew members and charter guests has kept viewers tuning in, there's been just as much drama happening off screen, too.
As "Below Deck's" lovable chief stew Kate Chastain once told Entertainment Tonight, "You know, yachting is just a very stressful situation. Close quarters, long hours and some people just can't make it the whole season for one reason or another." So if you regularly watch either reality TV yachting show, then you're likely familiar with the tension that can come from working such a busy and high-pressure job. It should come as no surprise then, that when the cameras are turned off, many crew members have let off steam in surprising ways. Not to mention, not everything makes it onto the air, meaning viewers might not know what really happened in some of their favorite "Below Deck" episodes.
Join us as we take a look at some of the dark secrets of the "Below Deck" cast.
Below Deck's chief stews had a big falling out
If you thought that chief stews Kate Chastain and Hannah Ferrier were best friends, think again. While the pair used to be on good terms, that all changed somewhere along the way, which Chastain revealed in a not-so-subtle Twitter post in September 2019. When asked by a fan why she appeared to be throwing shade at Ferrier, the "Below Deck" alum wrote of her "Mediterranean" counterpart, "Unfortunately I don't consider people who talk poorly about me behind my back to be a friend." Ouch!
Chastain later elaborated to The Daily Dish about why she fell out with fellow chief stew Ferrier. "A lot of people that work with Hannah also work with me, and people tell me things that are said," she explained. "And so, at this point, it's just like I don't really want to be friends with somebody that said bad things about me." The "Below Deck" chief stew emphasized this point while confirming the bestie breakup at BravoCon that November. Basically, it's safe to say that there's no love lost between these two, and it's unlikely we'll see them hanging out outside of work anytime soon.
Hannah Ferrier's anxiety attack was very real
Fans will remember that in Season 3 of "Below Deck Mediterranean," chief stew Hannah Ferrier had to take some time out from her job when she started having severe anxiety attacks. While some skeptical viewers might have wondered if Ferrier's anxiety was put on for the cameras, the reality TV star wanted to make it clear that she does live with the condition. In 2018, the chief stew told Decider, "The anxiety had been going quite badly for eight days leading up to the attack, it didn't just come out of nowhere." Ferrier also noted the relentlessness of the job as an important factor in why she became so anxious: "You can't get away from the cameras, you can't get away from the work environment, the charter guests just keep coming."
As for any doubters who thought that Ferrier might have been amping up her anxiety symptoms for the cameras, the "Below Deck Mediterranean" star said, "It was a disappointing to see a few people saying, 'Oh, it's a drama queen.' I was like, I wouldn't be on Bravo, I would be accepting my Oscar if I could act like that." That said, Ferrier seemed to be fine with people having seen her experience an anxiety attack, especially since she received a positive reaction from those living with this mental illness. She added, "I think it was good to see people's response that they felt less alone."
Below Deck's captain and crew regularly get propositioned
It turns out that much of the drama that makes it to our screens is an accurate representation of the yachting life. While speaking with Fox News in 2018, "Below Deck's" Captain Lee Rosbach revealed that being propositioned or flirted with by charter guests is just a normal part of the job: "I think almost every charter Captain has been propositioned several times in their careers in that fashion." Fans of Rosbach — who's, of course, happily married to wife Mary Anne (fun fact: she was once his chief stew) — will have seen him successfully fend off the advances of many an intoxicated guest, however hard they've tried to seduce him.
"Below Deck Mediterranean" star Brooke Laughton also confirmed that she'd been propositioned while working on yachts. "I was once asked to join a male boss in his hot tub," she said during an interview with The Sun. "I felt uncomfortable so I said I was working and it wasn't very professional." Laughton also explained that there's a certain expectation to dress up as a stewardess in order to impress the guests, saying, "Girls do feel pressure to please their bosses. The owners also want their crew to be glamorous and well put together at all times — manicured nails, no chipped polish, lipstick, immaculate hair."
It's clearly far from an easy job — especially when you have to fend off unwanted advances from guests in the workplace.
Some Below Deck guests have made R-rated requests
In Season 3 of "Below Deck Mediterranean," Anastasia Surmava took on the roles of third stew and chef. While she handled both with aplomb, Surmava has had some less than easy moments when it came to getting strange requests from charter guests. "I think the strangest thing a guest has ever asked me for was on their provisioning sheet, they had me stock their room and their friend's room with condoms and lubricant," she revealed to Entertainment Tonight in June 2019. "That was a weird one. My shopping list went, like, tomatoes, avocados, bananas, condoms, lubrication, more condoms and some bread." We suppose it's good to be prepared, right?
Meanwhile, deckhand Jack Stirrup claimed to Entertainment Tonight that he once got an extra tip for the crew by visiting a guest in her room at her request, which was sure to raise some eyebrows. But if you thought that the requests Surmava and Stirrup received were wild, then Kate Chastain's revelation is likely to surprise you. The "Below Deck" chief stew previously told Miami New Times in 2014, "I've had to cook filet for a Pomeranian. I've seen escorts walk onto a boat less than an hour after the wives and children left. Honestly, nothing really surprises me at this point."
It sounds as though what happens on the yacht, stays on the yacht.
Captain Lee Rosbach's son passed away
In a heartbreaking Instagram post shared in July 2019, "Below Deck's" Captain Lee Rosbach revealed that one of his children had passed away. "This past Saturday, my beloved wife Mary Anne and I laid our youngest son, Joshua Lee Rosbach to rest," he wrote alongside a photo of his late son. "After a twenty year struggle, he finally succumbed to the demons he fought so long and so hard." The captain went on to reveal that his son had battled addiction, writing, "We loved Josh unconditionally and were proud of the man he had become in spite of his problems."
According to People, his cause of death was an accidental overdose at the age of 42. The Dignity Memorial reported that Joshua Lee, who went byJosh, died at home. In October 2019, Captain Lee Rosbach revealed via Instagram that he was taking part in "Sallarulo's race for Champions 5K for Special Olympics" in honor of his late son's memory.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Caroline Bedol's serious allegations against Kate Chastain
Caroline Bedol made a lasting impression during Season 6 of "Below Deck." Throughout the season, the third stewardess had many disagreements with her chief stew, Kate Chastain, and it appears as though their issues continued after filming finished. Bedol's since-deleted tweets about Chastain from late 2018 have been preserved in screenshots, thanks to All About the Tea. In one particularly heated post, Bedol alleged that Chastain had been drinking alcohol on board, writing, "I feel like keeping quiet all season about your inability to refrain from drinking at work was pretty nice of me. And if you did earn my money for me, that's what, $2,000. Your little 'secret' would cost you your career, considering it's wildly illegal. Welcome." Eek!
In response to another fan's tweet about Chastain, Bedol reportedly wrote, "It's not a secret. Might I also mention that it is quite literally impossible to deny that footage exists to prove these allegations. But integrity isn't really the name of this game. I assure you though, Kate's boozing is no secret." Even though Bedol went on to apologize for alleging Chastain's supposed alcohol and cocaine use in another since-deleted tweet, Chastain was less than impressed with the claims and subsequent apology. "All the hideous, false things she has said about me have already been posted and reposted by various online tabloids," the chief stew tweeted in response. "So the damage is done and permanent."
Caroline Bedol faced troubles following Below Deck
Since leaving "Below Deck" following Season 6, third stew Caroline Bedol definitely hasn't had it easy. In October 2018, Radar Online reported that she'd had a run-in with the law, claiming a warrant had been issued for her arrest after the reality star allegedly "skipped out on a mandatory court appearance for a case involving her pitbull." The gossip site claimed that Bedol's pitbull had attacked an Australian shepherd dog after the stewardess allowed her canine to run off without a leash.
By March 2019, further hardships had befallen Bedol, who told Radar Online that she had become homeless since leaving the show. "I'm not looking for a homeless shelter to stay in, but I am homeless in the sense that I am in between homes," she said. That June, the third stew found herself in another spot of trouble. According to court documents obtained by Page Six, the Bravo star had been arrested for "larceny in the sixth degree in Danbury, Connecticut." This misdemeanor charge of larceny relates to stolen property worth under $500, which led to Bedol requiring no bond upon her release. The outcome of the shoplifting case is unclear as of this writing. In 2020, she reportedly took part in a reddit AMA, in which she wrote, "The past two years or so have seen heartache and healing. So, a mixed bag ... I found work riding professionally again in the equestrian world. I go to therapy ... I take my dog to the beach a lot. And I fiddle around on Reddit."
Rocky's post-Below Deck joke got out of hand
In Season 3 of "Below Deck," Raquel "Rocky" Dakota made a big splash as the third stewardess. From her secret shenanigans with bosun Eddie Lucas to her difficult relationship with chief stew Kate Chastain, Dakota's appearance on the show was pretty unforgettable. After filming ended, Rocky shared a social media post suggesting that she'd cooked for Captain Lee Rosbach and his wife in Florida, and that she often spoke on the phone with former cast member Connie Arias.
However, it seems as though there was some bad blood between Dakota and the rest of the crew, as many of them took to Twitter to dispel these claims. "FYI @Bravotv Rocky is a flat out liar," Chastain tweeted. "She never cooked for captain lee, Connie doesn't call her." For his part, the captain was also quick to shut down the story, writing, "No she lied, she has never been to my home, that would take an invitation and that simply didn't happen."
After the rest of the yacht crew hit back at Rocky's claims, she was forced to reveal the truth on Twitter: "Connie NEVER calls me and I DONT hang w Capt. Lee!! It was a JOKE! @Bravotv Kate, Connie, and Lee hate me!"
Ross Inia's off-screen drama
Deckhand-turned-bosun Ross Inia might have seemed like he had it all together during his appearance on "Below Deck's" Season 6. However, Inia's post-reality TV life has been filled with drama. According to Deadline, Inia was arrested in West Palm Beach, Florida "for disorderly intoxication and battery" during a crazy night out with fellow cast member João Franco in December 2018. On the night in question, Franco shared in an Instagram Story (via Deadline), "Ross is in jail ... and we've been looking for him four hours and counting." Meanwhile, the Daily Mail obtained Inia's police report, which revealed that the bosun had reportedly punched and threatened an officer.
As if Inia's prison drama wasn't juicy enough, he also found himself in a spot of hot water over the nature of his relationship with controversial former charter guest Krystal. After sharing a loved-up photo on Instagram in January 2019, it was reported that Inia and Krystal had gotten involved, leading the reality star to clarify their status in a since-deleted Instagram post (via The Daily Dish). "We are not having an 'affair,'" he wrote. "I have had the opportunity to spend time with her and her husband. We poked fun at all the assumptions. Remember everyone is going through something in their personal life and it's no [one's] business to get involved or judge."
Was Below Deck's Mila Kolomeitseva a fake chef?
Season 4 of "Below Deck Mediterranean" provided some major drama in the form of Mila Kolomeitseva, a chef who was apparently Le Cordon Bleu-trained but couldn't even prepare a plate of nachos. While Kolomeitseva's food was apparently bad (remember the time she licked a raw steak?), her seemingly homophobic views left fans and castmates horrified. While many viewers believed Kolomeitseva to be a plant, who was simply hired for the crazy drama she'd create, Hannah Ferrier revealed this wasn't the case. "There really isn't any way to know if someone is going to be homophobic in a normal job interview and her CV looked great," the chief stew tweeted in June 2019. "She's OBVIOUSLY not great but it wasn't set up like that."
However, fans weren't convinced about the validity of Chef Mila and started doing some digging of their own. Starcasm's research turned up several online profiles for the alleged chef, albeit with her surname spelled as "Kolomeytseva" instead of Kolomeitseva. Her StarNow profile, for example, listed Kolomeitseva as an "actor, extra, model," further adding fuel to the claim that she might have just been a hired performer rather than a trained chef.
Sure, it's not the most scandalous drama Bravo's ever faced, but while we may never know if Kolomeitseva was a legit crew member, most of us are simply relieved that we never had to eat that steak she licked before preparing it in the microwave.
Jean-Luc demanded a DNA test
During the second season of "Below Deck Sailing Yacht," Dani Soares and Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux struck up a romance, but things turned sour after filming ended. In April 2021, Soares announced that she was pregnant by sharing a photo of her baby bump on Instagram. Fans immediately started asking if Cerza-Lanaux was the father, and they were less than impressed with the deckhand's response. During the Season 2 reunion episode, which aired in June 2021, Cerza-Lanaux said, "I asked for a paternity test, and essentially, that turned into a lot of backlash and her not wanting to hear from me," via People.
In May 2021, Soares revealed that she'd given birth to a baby girl, via Instagram, but Cerza-Lanaux seemingly didn't take a paternity test right away. In January 2022, he finally revealed that he was the father of Soares' daughter Lilly Rose. "An international DNA test that was done awhile ago was no small feat," he wrote on Instagram. "I'm happy and proud to say Sweet and beautiful Lilly rose is my daughter. Dani and I have been working and communicating together to the best of our ability." Reacting to Cerza-Lanaux's behavior, fellow cast member Gary King told Page Six, "The fact that it's taken him almost a year to come out and admit that he's a father, it's kind of just shows that in his age or his immaturity, and I just hope that he can learn from this."
Chef Rachel got into a Southern Charm feud
Chef Rachel Hargrove has continually been one of the highlights of "Below Deck," but it seems that she may not always enjoy being a member of the Bravo family. In July 2022, Hargrove suggested that she might have a problem with "Southern Charm" cast member Austen Kroll, after sharing an Instagram Story about the Bravo star's business, Trop Hop, via Us Weekly. "Cheers to the most narsasitic [sic] t*** on @BravoTV," Hargrove wrote in the post. She followed up her Instagram Story by tweeting, "I did have the unfortunate experience of being around him."
Expanding on her dislike for the fellow Bravo star, Hargrove shared screenshots of a conversation she allegedly had with an executive at the network. In the post, which was shared by @bravobreakingnews on Instagram, Hargrove was asked to tone down her negative comments about Kroll, to which she allegedly replied, "Just make sure the drunk cokehead knows to not talk to me again." In another message, she alleged, "[H]im and [Shep Rose] [threw] my bag on the floor at [the Upfronts] while waiting to go do dress rehearsal." For his part, Kroll was reportedly bewildered by Hargrove's negative comments. In a screenshot of a supposed DM from Kroll to Hargrove, shared by bravobreakingnews on Instagram, Kroll asked, "Rachel? wtf." If all of these messages are legit, it would appear as though Hargrove is most definitely not a fan of the "Southern Charm" star.
Chef Rachel had some issues with Below Deck itself
Chef Rachel Hargrove has been known to express her feelings if she's unhappy with something on "Below Deck," which has included storming off of the boat and even quitting mid-season, only to retract her resignation the next day. However, after appearing on Seasons 8, 9, and 10 of "Below Deck" alongside Captain Lee Rosbach, Hargrove may finally be done with the reality TV show. In July 2022, she took to Twitter to write, "I will no longer be [associated] with organizations I don't believe in." She then used hashtags to call out "Below Deck," "Watch What Happens Live," and "America's Next Top Model," which she appeared on in 2005. She finished her tweet by asking, "[A]nyone else wants to p*** me off this week? Let's f***ing go." Basically, Hargrove seems to have put the final nail in the Bravo coffin.
In February 2023, the chef seemingly confirmed her Bravo stance in a hilarious tweet. When one Twitter user said they were looking forward to Hargrove's appearance at the "Below Deck" Season 10 reunion, she replied, "I will be getting my s***ch waxed that day, so I won't make it, unfortunately." If Hargrove is truly done with "Below Deck," viewers are bound to be disappointed, as she was always entertaining to watch. However, it looks like the accomplished chef may have moved on for good.
Captain Sandy and Hannah Ferrier were never friends
Captain Sandy Yawn and chief stew Hannah Ferrier worked together on "Below Deck Mediterranean" from Season 2 until Season 5, when Ferrier was fired. While the pair mostly managed to be cordial with one another onscreen, there was apparently no love lost between them off-camera. In an interview with the Australian radio show, "Kyle and Jackie O Show," Ferrier opened up about her relationship with Captain Sandy, explaining, "What had happened is she'd watched the show before she came on, and she'd made her decision about me." The first season of "Below Deck Mediterranean" was, of course, helmed by Captain Mark Howard. According to Ferrier, Sandy had formed preconceptions about the chief stew based upon Season 1 of the show.
Unfortunately, Ferrier and Captain Sandy never quite hit it off, despite working together for four seasons of the hit show. "I think it was like about 45 seconds from our first introduction they had to stop production and be like, 'Sandy, you can't talk to her like that,'" Ferrier claimed on the "Kyle and Jackie O Show." "Like straight off the bat. It was something where I'd literally pronounced a dish wrong or something when the chef hadn't told me and given me enough notice." For whatever reason, the co-stars allegedly didn't develop a camaraderie, despite working closely for several seasons of "Below Deck Mediterranean."
Kate Chastain was arrested for domestic abuse
Kate Chastain was the chief stew on "Below Deck" from 2014 to 2020, and viewers often got an inside look at her love life as a result. In January 2016, Chastain revealed that she was dating a woman called Rocio Hernandez, telling The Daily Dish, "I never, ever imagined myself dating a girl. I never was attracted to girls. So I'm a little caught off guard, but she's just a really special person." However, the relationship took a turn for the worst when Chastain was arrested on June 13, 2016. Per TMZ, Hernandez filed a complaint against the "Below Deck" star, who was subsequently arrested on charges of felony domestic violence by strangulation. In a police report shared by Radar Online, it was revealed, "Ms. Chastain went into a fit of rage and physically attacked Ms. Hernandez and tried to steal her phone ... [Hernandez] was bitten on the forearm, inner bicep and leg. She was also held down and choked, 'strangled.'" The site also reported that the charges against Chastain were later downgraded, meaning that the chief stew only faced misdemeanor charges.
In November 2016, Chastain opened up about her failed relationship in an interview with Starry Mag, expressing regret for keeping in contact with Hernandez. "It really added unnecessary stress to my already stressful life onboard and I think it kept me from bonding with my fellow crewmembers in our downtime," she explained.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
Rhylee Gerber got arrested for criminal trespassing
"Below Deck" star Rhylee Gerber certainly caused some drama during her time on the show, even getting into a feud with bosun Ashton Pienaar after calling the deck team misogynistic, via The Daily Dish. However, it would seem that Gerber has also gotten herself involved in some serious drama offscreen, too. Ahead of Season 6 of "Below Deck," Radar Online reported that Gerber had been arrested in January 2018 for trespassing in someone else's house in Harris County, Texas. The publication also noted that Gerber allegedly refused to leave the property, and was subsequently appointed a lawyer because she couldn't afford her own.
According to RadarOnline.com, Gerber didn't go to jail for the offence, and instead was ordered to complete 12 hours of community service, along with a decision-making class, whatever that is. Since her time on "Below Deck," Gerber appears to be thriving, and revealed on Instagram that she has been traveling the country while living in a van, well and truly leaving her criminal past behind.
Paget and Ciara split after Below Deck Sailing Yacht
The first season of "Below Deck Sailing Yacht" was a wild ride, especially for first mate Paget Berry and deckhand Ciara Duggan. Berry and Duggan were in a committed relationship throughout the season, which faced some challenges when stew Georgia Grobler took a keen interest in Berry. Despite the onboard flirtation, Berry and Duggan stayed together, and they got engaged in July 2020, via The Daily Dish. However, their love was obviously not meant to be, and the pair decided to go their separate ways. In April 2021, Duggan confirmed the split in the comments section of an Instagram post, after a fan asked if she was still engaged. Duggan responded, "No," then explained, "things happen. We're still on good terms and wish each other nothing but the best."
In an interview with Us Weekly, Duggan said of the split, "I was taking temporary jobs and I just kind of realized throughout taking those jobs that I was happier on my own for a lot of reasons." While there doesn't seem to be any bad blood between the exes, "Below Deck Sailing Yacht" fans will likely be replaying all of those moments Berry was seen flirting with Grobler throughout the show.
Below Deck Sailing Yacht created a messy love triangle
"Below Deck Sailing Yacht" fans eagerly awaited the show's fourth season, as the trailer promised an unexpected love triangle between Gary King, Daisy Kelliher, and Colin Macrae, via Facebook. The trio worked together throughout Seasons 2 and 3 of the show, with King and Kelliher's love-hate relationship often being a focal point of the series. However, Season 4 promised to be explosive, with a hookup between Kelliher and Macrae ruffling King's feathers.
In April 2023, King opened up about the new season of "Below Deck Sailing Yacht," telling Entertainment Tonight, "Daisy and I have had a connection — well, I certainly believe so, for many years — and I think there's chemistry there and ... it certainly hit me." King also got candid about his feelings for Kelliher and the jealousy he felt about her hooking up with his friend, Macrae. He told Entertainment Tonight, "I was like, wow. I've had my chance to get with Daisy, I didn't take my chance, and now she's hooking up with Colin and I'm jealous over it." However, King also told the site that he felt all too aware of the fact that both he and Kelliher travel the world for a living, and would rarely get to see one another. Still, King's emotions finally seem to be bubbling over in "Below Deck Sailing Yacht" Season 4, and it certainly seems that there was a lot of jealousy felt behind-the-scenes.
Ben Willoughby's love triangle got more complicated
On "Below Deck" Season 10, deckhand Ben Willoughby caused quite the mess when he got entangled with two different women on board. First up was Camille Lamb, a deck stew who unfortunately got fired, leaving Willoughby heartbroken. The pair planned to reunite after the charter season was over, leaving Willoughby hopeful that they might be able to continue their romance. However, their love story was thrown into jeopardy when new stew Leigh-Ann Smith joined the boat, and it was revealed that she had already been messaging with Willoughby prior to the season.
With Lamb gone, Willoughby ended up kissing Smith. But at the end of the season, Willoughby made his choice, telling Smith, "I really like you, but I really want to see what's going on with Camille," via The Daily Dish. In March 2022, the deckhand revealed that he'd taken a trip to the Dominican Republic with Lamb, but their romance hadn't worked out. "Sadly soon after we decided that this wasn't meant to be and being honest that was a very tough pill to swallow," he wrote on Instagram. After splitting from Lamb, Willoughby apparently pursued Smith instead, as she revealed on Instagram that they'd actually moved in together in Florida, and she'd tried to help him get over his breakup. However, their situation reportedly ended abruptly, with Smith writing, "Ben decided to cut all ties with me with no explanation." It would seem that this love triangle is dunzo.