10 Below Deck Stews We Always Forget About

Below Deck has featured several stews across its multiple franchises that fans might need help remembering today. Since its premiere in 2013, it has become one of the most-watched yachting reality series, spurning multiple spin-offs that have also become household shows. The show brings to the forefront the components that make a successful yachting charter, including the crew’s vital role and how they contribute to the success or failure of a season.

Below Deck yacht Steward/ess is responsible for maintaining the Yacht’s interior while providing guests with hospitality and entertainment. Over the years, fans have watched stews like Kate Chastain, Daisy Kelliher, and Hannah Ferrier make a name for themselves on the show. However, the show has also featured some stews who made less impact during their stint and are often forgotten by Below Deck fans.

10

Simone Mashile

Below Deck Season 7 Second Stew

Simone made her reality TV debut on Below Deck season 7 as a second stew alongside chief stew Kate Chastain and third stew Courtney Skippon. Simone, raised during the apartheid period in South Africa, spent most of her childhood focusing on school work, earning her academic scholarships for high school and college, where she graduated with a degree in mathematics. Compared to most new stews on Below Deck, Simone had no prior yachting experience before her debut, which showed in her performance during the season.

Simone, a model before her debut, struggled to perform her duties as a stew and often needed guidance when performing basic stew duties (via Reality Tea). She looked uncomfortable around guests and struggled to cut fruit, carry plates, make two-ingredient drinks, or even open a bottle of wine. As the chief stew, Kate couldn’t condone Simone’s inexperience for long, demoting her to third stew during episode 10. Nonetheless, since leaving the show, Simone has turned into a health influencer, regularly promoting her holistic lifestyle.

9

Jessica Albert

Below Deck Season 9 Third Stew

Jessica was one of the new faces fans met when Below Deck season 9 premiered. Jessica had pursued various careers, including positions as a sales and catering coordinator and a hairstylist, before her reality TV debut. However, she was also a freelance yacht stew with four years of experience, during which time she earned her “Open Water Diver certificate”. As part of a fresh interior crew, which included chief stew, Heather Chase and Fraser Olender, Jessica had a lot of weight on her shoulders, but it became clear she was struggling to cope as soon as the season started.

Jessica struggled with her role’s physical needs, often frustrating Heather and Fraser. Jessica also struggled with being away from her grandparents, and she was visibly troubled when she heard her grandmother was undergoing an emergency procedure. Nonetheless, during episode 9, Jessica facilitated her exit from the show by asking to leave. In her conversation with Heather, Jessica noted, “I really, really wholeheartedly wanted to do this, but my body is just shutting down.” After being given one hour to leave, Jessica packed her things and left without saying goodbye to the crew (via Cheatsheet).

8

Madison Stalker

Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 1 Second Stew

Madison made her reality TV debut as a second stew during Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 1. A competitive figure skater during her childhood, Madison entered the yachting industry after graduating from Michigan State University. With three and a half years of experience, Madison joined the BDSY crew, and once season 1 premiered, Madison quickly became a fan favorite due to her bubbly personality. She also struck up a good friendship with fellow stew Georgia Grobler.

However, Madison’s working relationship with chief stew Jenna MacGillivray suffered during the season. The pair often disagreed, leading to some drama within the interior crew. During the reunion, Madison explained she felt excluded by Jenna, who also made her life a “living hell.” Nonetheless, the pair buried the hatchet as both agreed to leave the drama behind them. Since leaving Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 1, Madison has continued her career in the yachting industry.

7

Tiffany Copeland

Below Deck Mediterranean Season 1 Third Stew

Tiffany’s love for aquatic animals and her desire to protect them led her to Florida Atlantic University, where she studied marine biology. After getting her degree, Tiffany started her career as a “Marine Endangered Species Observer,” but her attention soon turned to yachting after a blind date convinced her to become a stewardess. Soon, Tiffany made her reality TV debut as the third stew on Below Deck Mediterranean season 1, working alongside chief stewardess Hannah Ferrier.

Despite her enthusiasm, Tiffany struggled with her stew duties, often leading to her butting heads with Chief Stew Hannah, who told her, “If you can’t sustain what you’ve done the past few days, then you shouldn’t be in yachting” (via The List). Nonetheless, Tiffany survived the season and even got romantically involved with Chef Ben Robinson. Surprisingly, after leaving Below Deck Mediterranean season 1, Tiffany remained in the industry and became a captain.

6

Georgia Grobler

Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 1 Third Stew

Georgia made her reality TV debut during Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 1 alongside Madison Stalker and chief stew Jenna Macgillivray. Georgia starred on the show with very little yachting experience, which was evident in her performance during the first few episodes. Although Georgia struggled initially and sometimes clashed with Chief Stew Jenna, her friendship with Maddison kept her focused, and she soon improved quickly, becoming very skilled in the laundry room.

Georgia, who is also a singer, impressed the crew with her voice during a performance for some charter guests, earning rave reviews from Captain Glenn Shepard. However, her constant flirting with first mate, Paget Berry, earned her some criticism since Paget was in a relationship with deckhand Ciara Duggan. Nonetheless, Georgia never acted on her feelings for Paget throughout the season.

5

Lara Flumiani

Below Deck Mediterranean Season 5 Second Stew

Lara joined Below Deck Mediterranean season 5 as a second stew with ten years of experience in the yachting world, which she fell in love with after accidentally joining the industry. Lara worked as a stew on several boats and a chief stew on a small yacht, so she was expected to become an integral part of the interior crew once the season started. However, after just two episodes, it became clear how toxic Lara’s energy was. Lara had no regard for her chief stew, Hannah Ferrier, and was very confrontational whenever asked to do the tasks.

Eventually, Captain Sandy Yawn called a meeting and asked for a truce between the two, telling Lara, “Hannah’s your boss, Hannah’s gonna tell you what to do.” The following morning, Lara left the boat very early before radioing Captain Sandy, asking to meet on the dock. Lara unsurprisingly asked to leave after just three episodes, noting, “I’m not feeling comfortable anymore, I would like to leave. So thanks for everything, you will find someone else.” Lara refused to step on the boat again, and deckhand Peter was tasked with packing her belongings.

4

Samantha Orme

Below Deck Season 1 Third Stew

Samantha Orme made history as one of the first-ever stews on Below Deck when she made her reality TV debut as the third stew during the inaugural season. Samantha, who was relatively new to the industry, became a steward after her sister, who was a yachtie, had passed away in a car accident. Once the season premiered, it became clear Samantha wasn’t enjoying her time on the yacht. Samantha clashes with Chief Stew Adrienne Gang, not respecting her authority.

Samantha also broke the rules when she and the second engineer, CJ LeBeau, were caught swimming in the ocean with a beer bottle. Besides her disagreements with Chief Stew Adrienne, Samantha’s romance with CJ was also a highlight during the season, although it never developed past a few kisses. Unsurprisingly, Samantha left the yachting industry after the Below Deck season 1 finale and has become a senior project manager at the solar energy company “Green Solar Technologies” in North Hollywood, California.

3

Sierra Storm

Below Deck Season 4 Third Stew

Sierra’s start to her Below Deck stint was rich in drama when she surprisingly missed her flight to join the crew members in the Caribbean. Once aboard the Valor yacht, it became clear Sierra would leave a lasting impression on the show when she continually clashed with Chief Stew Kate Chastain. One of the most important gadgets to have during a charter is the radio, but Sierra was very careless with hers, often losing it, which frustrated Captain Lee Rosbach and Kate.

Also, Sierra found herself as the subject of Kyle Dixon’s attention. Although Kyle had a girlfriend, Ashley, he pursued a romance with Sierra. However, Sierra’s attitude of giving Kyle conflicting signals resulted in a feud between her and Bosun Kelley Johnson, who accused Sierra of playing games with Kyle’s heart. Still, Sierra managed to survive the season but claimed to regret participating due to the relentless drama aboard the Yacht (via The Things).

2

Jen Howell

Below Deck Season 5 Third Stew

Jennifer made her reality TV debut as a third star in Below Deck season 5. After the premiere, it immediately became apparent Jen wasn’t the best fit for her role as she struggled to deal with every task thrown her way. Jen’s struggles meant she regularly clashed with Chief Stew Kate Chastain when she got lost while doing simple tasks. Jen also struggled with the emotional requirements of the job (via Nicki Swift).

In one episode, Jen broke down crying, saying, I’m being pulled in a million directions, I’m being told to do something, and I do it, and then you’re yelling at me for doing what I was told.” However, her most dramatic episode occurred when she got drunk and suffered a meltdown after a night out with the crew, which resulted in several fights among the crew. Still, Jen survived the season but hasn’t appeared on Below Deck since. Jen still works in the yachting industry and also as a luxury realtor.

1

Amy Johnson

Below Deck Season 2 Third Stew

Amy made her reality TV debut in Below Deck season 2 as a stew alongside her brother Kelley Johnson. With eight years of yachting experience, Amy’s addition brought additional professionalism to the interior crew. After making her debut, Amy’s bright and friendly personality made her a quick fan favorite. However, despite trying her best to avoid the deck drama, Amy found herself butting heads with Chief Stew Kate Chastain and Second Stew Kat Held after they ganged up and often ignored her.

Still, Amy survived the season and surprisingly returned for Below Deck season 3 as a second stew. Amy had to support her brother Kelley’s roller coaster experience and the drama from third stew Rocky Dakota during her second stint. After leaving Below Deck, Amy retired from yachting and married her then-boyfriend, Ellis Lenthall, in October 2020.

Sources: Reality Tea, Cheatsheet, The List, The Things, Nicki Swift