Below Deck’screw members can be some of the most interesting parts of the show, andthere are some alumni who deserve to move through the world in a different way, turning in their yachtie uniforms and becoming full-blown reality TV stars. WhileBelow Deckhasn’t always been the kind of show that produces bona fide reality TV talent, it has long been a source for drama. Following the crew of a superyacht around during their hectic work life can spin things in all sorts of directions, bringing some reality TV surprises into the spotlight when the team is working.
ThroughoutBelow Deck’srun, which has brought some of the most interesting yachties to the center stage, it’s been clear that while the guests can be interesting, the yachties are often the most fascinating part of the series. Despite knowing that there are usually some layers to the drama from show to show that are produced,Below Deck’suse of producer plantsisn’t as concerning when a lot of the drama is undoubtedly real. From moments with the crew trying to figure out how to navigate difficult guests to weather conditions that cause issues, the drama brings out real emotions.
SomeBelow Deckyachties keep their coolin a difficult moment, while others don’t know how to handle the stress of their jobs becoming harder. The reactions that some crew members wind up having over the majority of the issues happening on the show are usually par for the course, but some have been known to spin out or go over the top with their emotions. While someBelow Deckviewers don’t enjoy that outspoken type of yachtie, it’s clear that they’re interesting and keep the show moving forward,allowing for more interpersonal drama to seep through the professional cracks.
As viewers move through the currently airing iteration of the show,Below Deck Down Underseason 3, with a relatively new cast of yachties who are still getting used to being on screen, I’ve been thinking a lot about past seasons of the franchise shows. With yachties who left a memorable mark,it’s been clear that some are meant to continue on their path, and some are meant to diverge. LikeBelow Deck’sKate Chastain, some of the yachties have to know when it’s time to make the move to being a full-time reality TV star, using their many talents.
8Elena Dubaich
Below Deck Mediterranean
As a yachtie onBelow Deck Mediterranean,Elena Dubaich has been one of the most frustratingly entertaining people on the series in the last few seasons. Starting herBelow Deckjourney onBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 7 appeared as a stew in just a few episodes at the end of the season to cover a yachtie who had unexpectedly left the superyacht. Though Ellie wasn’t bad at her job, she wasn’t memorable in her first appearance on the show, either. When she returned forBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 9, things had changed considerably.
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As a force to be reckoned with throughoutBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 9,Ellie became known for her inability to separate her emotions from her work. While she was a seasoned yachtie with experience,Ellie struggled when her fellow stew Bri Mullergot under her skin about Joe Bradley, an affable deckhand. Ellie’s meltdowns, which spanned from warranted to over-the-top, made it clear that her level of drama was made for reality TV. On top of her outbursts, Ellie’s side career as a sultry cosplay model often left viewers shocked by her after-work outfits, making her perfect for reality TV.
7Hayley De Sola Pinto
Below Deck
As a memorable part ofBelow Deckseason 10,Hayley De Sola Pinto was a stewwho knew she was destined for more than the life of yachting. As a longtime yachtie, the English stew was able to keep herself busy with the professional pieces of her life aboard St. David, but there was always drama to be had as she moved through the season, and Hayley knew how to engage with it. Working well with others,Hayley knew that she had to pick the right moments to be outspokento come across the way she hoped on reality TV.
WhileHayley’s time onBelow Deckseason 10wasn’t always simple, it was clear that she was made for theBelow Deckformat as she moved through her time aboard St. David. She was able to be calm in a storm no matter the conditions, and after creating strong relationships with her fellow yachties during the short charter season proves that she should be on another reality show. While she’d taken time away from yachting prior toBelow Deck,Hayley dusting off her uniform to join St. David so she could be on the show proves she can handle anything.
6Rachel Hargrove
As a chef aboardBelow Deck’sSt. David,Rachel Hargrove was a memorable yachtiewho likely deserves another shot in the industry if she wants one. Rachel, who was the chef aboard Captain Lee Rosbach’s superyacht for three seasons, worked hard to cultivate her brand as she moved through her time on the show. While Rachel was known for her incredible work as aBelow Deckchef, she was also known for her confusing personality just as much as for her incredible cooking.Rachel struggled with her emotions withinBelow Deck’sgalley, which wasn’t surprising as she moved through seasons.
Although Rachel was an incredibly meticulous chef, it was clear that she had some issues that she needed to work through as she moved from charter season to charter season. Struggling with the crew interaction and the ability to regulate her emotions, Rachel sometimes had outbursts that were confusing or concerning for the rest of the crew. WhileRachel’s personality may not have been the best fit forBelow Deckin the end, she’d be an incredible contestant or judge on any variety of cooking show.
5Ashley Marti
Below Deck Sailing Yacht
Ashley Marti’s time onBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 3 was memorable, to say the least, and while she may not be the right fit for the work-centric show, she could easily be a reality TV star. Ashley’s ability to create drama no matter where she went was a fascinating twist of her personality. While she appeared to be ready to keep things moving smoothly, the stew had a tough time balancing her emotions with her sense of professionalism.Ashley’s issues stemmed from her romantic interest in Gary King,Below Deck Sailing Yacht’sseminal playboy.
Although Ashley had a hard time when it became clear that Gary wasn’t interested in her romantically, she didn’t stop pursuing him and eventually got him to fold, but didn’t like the consequences. With such a bold attitude, it’s clear that Ashley could succeed on any sort of reality TV competition where strategy and fortitude is involved. While she may not be able to take a show like that all the way to the end with her personality,Ashley’s divisive and strategic, which could keep her moving forward with a reality TV career.
4Fraser Olender
AlthoughBelow Deckchief stew Fraser Olender has beenaccused of being a producer plantin the past, it’s clear that he was simply made for reality TV. Understanding how to bring the drama without investing himself into it,Fraser has been one of the longest-standing yachties in the franchisein its most recent years. Having been part ofBelow Decksince its ninth season, Fraser seems like he’s been part of the crew for far longer than he actually has, cementing his place inBelow Deckhistory.
As a member of the crew who knows his place,Fraserhas been able to navigate his way through the drama without making himself a spectacle. While he’s always available for a quip or a comment, Fraser often doesn’t involve himself in the ins and outs of crew drama, opting to watch from afar. Even so, Fraser’s commentary has to be some of the bestBelow Deckhas ever had before, making him a brilliant part of the show. After his time on superyachts comes to an end,Fraser could be a great asset to any other Bravo show.
3Cloyce Martin
As a new face onBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 5, baby-faced chef Cloyce Martin was someone viewers knew was going to be memorable from the jump. Cloyce, a young chef who got his start long before his 18th birthday, spent his time aboard Captain Glenn Shephard’s sailing yacht doing his best to improve. After starting the season off with a rocky few meal services,Chef Cloyce started to show improvementand make himself a useful part of the crew.
Knowing that he had room to grow, Chef Cloyce often shared about his progress in interview clips, which showed off the funny side of his personality. While Cloyce may not have been the most prepared at the start of the season, he clearly knew what he was doing enough to move through the charter season with a sense of grace. Even though he wasn’t always the best chef,Cloyce was fun and often funny enough to alleviate any issueshe had on the crew.
2Paris Field
Although Paris Field, a stew with a ton of yachting experience, onlycame into Below Deck season 11 midway throughthe dramatic charter season, she quickly made a name for herself. Paris' easygoing nature wasn’t the easiest for some to adapt to, as she was quick to be casually flirty with the rest of her crew despite not wanting to rock the boat. While there was a lot of buzz surrounding Paris' arrival, as she was engaged to another formerBelow Deckyachtie,she quickly moved away from the flurry of gossip and got into work mode.
Paris' iconic feud with Chef Nick Tatlock, who joinedBelow Deckseason 11 with just a few charters left to go, was an incredible look at her personality at work. While Chef Nick was being undercutting and difficult to the rest of the crew, Paris knew that she wasn’t going to take his criticisms lying down. Ignoring the fact that she was, at times, a little stronger in the way she spoke to Chef Nick than she wanted to be, it was clear from the interactions thatParis could hold her own in any reality TV argumentthrown at her.
1Barbie Pascual
As an incredibly iconic stew aboardBelow Deckseason 11’s superyacht,Barbie Pascual has the perfect personalityfor future reality TV appearances. Barbie, a stew who came from money and wasn’t afraid to talk about it, made it clear that she had very specific tastes. She often wanted to be in charge, even if she wasn’t being given the opportunity to do so, and Barbie made it tough for those who went against what she was looking for. Instead of trying to simply state her case,Barbie got emotional, sparking her feud with Fraser.
While there were moments where Barbie was justified in her difficult emotions, there were also times where she was going over-board without realizing she was doing so. The tough stew had a rough time throughoutBelow Deckseason 11, and while she was mostly embroiled in work drama, she also wound up finding herselfin a boatmance with deckhand Kyle Stillie, rounding out herBelow Deckexperience. As Barbie was able to cover all corners,it seems fair to say she could handle anything on reality TV.
Below Deck Down Underairs Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on Bravo.
