Former 'Below Deck' Stars: Where Are They Now?
All aboard! Below Deck and its spinoff series have never failed to bring the drama to Bravo fans everywhere since the franchise launched.
The original series premiered in July 2013, documenting the daily lives of crew members on luxurious yachts during charter season. At the time, Bravo revealed that the first season averaged over 1 million viewers per episode, making it a simple decision to branch off into two more series: Below Deck Mediterranean and Below Deck Sailing Yacht.
With each season, the crew members’ personal lives have begun to cross over into their work lives, leading to shocking reality TV romances, breakups, firings and dramatic exits. In February 2020, longtime Below Deck personality Kate Chastain announced that she would finally be heading back to dry land after six seasons on the ocean.
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, I have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new land based role. I intend to step back as a senior member of the Below Deck Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support His Majesty Andy Cohen,” she teased via Instagram as she stepped down from her position as part of reality TV royalty.
Seven months later, Chastain admitted that she might not be ready to say goodbye to Bravo forever.
“I don’t know that I would like to do a show like Summer House,” she told Decider during a September 2020 tell-all interview. “I would love to be a New York Housewife because of Sonja [Morgan] alone. Sonja is a national treasure to be protected at all costs. I want to just be Sonja’s intern for a day. That is on my bucket list. I need the full experience. I love her so much, I would do that.”
While some cast members have left on their own terms, others have had the decision made for them. On season 5 of Below Deck Mediterranean, chief stewardess Hannah Ferrier was fired after a coworker reported her for having Valium on the yacht. After the drama went down, Captain Sandy Yawn told E! News that she has “no regrets” about the firing.
“Imagine walking in my shoes, it was challenging,” she said. “The Maritime industry has a certain standard … My No. 1 priority is the client.”
Scroll down to learn more about how some former Below Deck stars have kept busy after the show.
After leaving the Bellow Deck crew behind after season 4 in 2016, the U.K. native took some time away from the ocean to work on his catering business. He is also a Certified Health Coach and specializes in weight loss, addiction prevention and cancer care. Robinson has brought his charm back to Below Deck Mediterranean, appearing in a handful of episodes since 2016.
Virginia Sherwood/Bravo; Courtesy of Ben Robinson/Instagram
The chef served up drama for two seasons on Below Deck Mediterranean and spent time traveling the U.S. with his dog, Tex, after bowing out of the reality series in 2018. "I drove across the country five times. I've just been cooking outdoors over a campfire, really kind of dialing in what makes me happy as a chef," he told Bravo's Daily Dish in February 2020 before returning for the first season of Below Deck Sailing Yacht.
Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo; Courtesy of Adam Glick/Instagram
The Florida native hit the seas for six seasons of Below Deck and confirmed via Instagram in February 2020 that she was heading back to shore. "I just feel like I'm 37 and a half — and I don't think a girl should be wearing a skort at 38," she said of her exit on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen six months later. While spending the bulk of the coronavirus pandemic in Florida, she's been enjoying the peace and quiet with her dog, Halo.
Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo;
Five years after leaving Below Deck after its first season in 2013, the former chief stew married chiropractor Andrew Danks and later took a job as a yacht chef.
Justin Stephens/Bravo; Courtesy of Adrienne Gang/Instagram
After stirring up drama for three seasons on the Below Deck boat, the former deckhand and bosun is set to make a triumphant return on season 8 in November 2020. Between seasons, he earned his 1600-ton boating license and worked as first mate on a tugboat.
Laurent Bassett/Bravo; Courtesy of Eddie Lucas/Instagram
The deckhand had a brush with death during season 6, getting caught in a tow line and dragged into the water before being saved by a cameraman. He later returned as a bosun in season 7. Since rocking the boat on the Bravo series, Pienaar has taken up fitness coaching with his company AP Elite.
Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo; Courtesy of Ashton Pienaar/Instagram
The former Marine Corps member appeared on seasons 2 and 4 of Below Deck, eager to climb the ranks in the yachting world. Johnson later started a YouTube channel to reflect on his time in the military and provide tips on how veterans can transition back into the "civilian world."
Virginia Sherwood/Bravo
During her time on Below Deck, the Londoner sparked a short-lived romance with chef Ben Robinson. The pair briefly lived together in Florida before they eventually called it quits. Back in London, the reality TV alum has been running POWFood, a nutritional catering company that she cofounded with her mom, Ali.
Virginia Sherwood/Bravo;
The chef only stuck around for one season of the reality series, trying his best to keep up with the demanding guests in 2019. Now, he hosts private dinner experiences and has been documenting his travels across the U.S. on Instagram.
Greg Endries/Bravo; Courtesy of Adrian Martin/Instagram
The second stew and Chastain grew close on season 6 of the Bravo series but haven't kept in touch as often since Carter's exit in 2019. Later that year, he tweeted that he would love to return for a spin on the Below Deck Mediterranean yacht. The U.K. native has been staying busy in the kitchen during the coronavirus pandemic, sharing simple drink recipes with his Instagram followers.
Greg Endries/Bravo; Courtesy of Josiah Carter/Instagram
The Alaskan returned to her home state after wrapping up season 6 on the My Seanna and briefly worked on a dolphin and turtle boat in Hawaii later on. She also appeared on the seventh season of the Bravo show, which aired its finale in February 2020. Since then, she's been traveling through Alaska by van.
Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo; Courtesy of Rhylee Gerber/Instagram
The former bosun only lasted for one season with the Below Deck crew, stepping off the boat after the season 6 finale 2019. He was arrested for disorderly intoxication and battery in West Palm Beach, Florida, in December 2018 and spoke out about the "big misunderstanding" at the season 6 reunion. "It was just me and a couple of mates having a night out. That's pretty much all I can say. I can't really elaborate on it," he said at the time.
Greg Endries/Bravo; Courtesy of Ross Inia/Instagram
During season 7, the Canadian brewed a boat-mance with deckhand Brian de Saint Pern, but their flame fizzled out at the end of the season. While in quarantine amid the coronavirus pandemic, she's been spending time at home in Canada and taking a much-needed break from the yachting world.
Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo; Courtesy of Courtney Skippon/Instagram
The deckhand stirred up plenty of drama between the women on season 7 of Below Deck — and never returned for another season. After the show, he started dating "stellar" girlfriend Corinna Pico, who hasn't been deterred by his behavior on the boat.
Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo; Courtesy of Tanner Sterback/Instagram
Before joining the Below Deck Med crew on the fifth season, the South African sailor already had six years of yachting experience to her name. After Ferrier's dramatic exit, Drake could be eyeing a promotion to chief stew in the future.
Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo; Courtesy of Christine "Bugsy" Drake/Instagram
White joined the Wellington yacht crew on season 5 of Below Deck Med, where she fell in love with chef Tom Checketts. In September 2020, White confirmed via Instagram that she and her costar had called it quits after more than a year together.
Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo; Courtesy of Malia White/Instagram
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