While dozens of on-and-off-camera moments surprised Below Deck fans in 2022, certain cast members' actions across the franchise stood out as particularly shocking. Since the original Below Deck series premiered in 2013, the franchise has expanded dramatically with equally-popular spin-offs like Below Deck Mediterranean, Below Deck Sailing Yacht, Below Deck Down Under, and Bravo's newest addition, Below Deck Adventure. Like Bravo's other reality programs, each Below Deck season has plenty of drama but also continuously increases its fanbase due to its in-depth look at the expensive, yet rarely discussed on television, yachting industry.
With so many spin-offs and cast members alike, the Below Deck franchise had a busy year. Below Deck Adventure premiered with an all-new crew in early November, while Below Deck Mediterranean season 7 and Below Deck season 10 concluded and kicked off at the end of November. Although several Below Deck franchise stars stood out for their hard work ethic or lovable personality in 2022, others who displayed shocking behavior onboard and in real life were criticized, condemned, or even fired.
3. Natasha Webb From Below Deck Med Season 7
When Below Deck Med season 7 kicked off in July, viewers were initially excited to get to know Captain Sandy Yawn's new crew, which included Chef Dave White and chief steward Natasha Webb. As time went on, Below Deck Med fans turned on Natasha due to how she treated Dave, who revealed that he dated Natasha before they were cast on the show. Natasha and Dave's complicated affair rubbed viewers the wrong way, but Below Deck Med fans like Reddit user u/Beachgirl8thst were particularly surprised by not just Natasha's hot-and-cold behavior towards Dave but her obvious attempts to keep their relationship a secret. "You know it’s bad when aside from Mzi and Courtney, Captain Sandy is the most likable character," one Below Deck Med fan declared on Reddit.
2. Kyle Dickard From Below Deck Adventure
While Below Deck Adventure viewers find Captain Kerry Titheradge and the crew generally pleasant, short-lived deckhand Kyle Dickard's controversial behavior stuck out like a sore thumb. Between his inappropriate behavior in front of charter guests and threats towards Nathan Mobley, Kyle solidified himself as Below Deck's worst deckhand before he was finally forced to resign. Although Kyle's early exit should've been the last Below Deck fans saw of him, Kyle was arrested in late November after storming a soccer game. Kyle shared the moment he got into trouble on Instagram, which was quickly reposted by Reddit user u/wheelerin, and while Below Deck Adventure fans didn't see Kyle's arrest coming, they weren't exactly surprised. "I didn't like [Kyle], but I thought he took the "resignation" pretty well. And then he does stupid s*** like this, and I'm reminded of his idiocy," one Reddit user mused.
1. Rachel Hargrove From Below Deck Seasons 8-10
Although Kyle's questionable behavior intrigued viewers, it was chef Rachel Hargrove's erratic social media posts that made her the most shocking Below Deck franchise star in 2022. While Rachel redeemed herself on Below Deck season 9, an encounter with Southern Charm star Austen Kroll this summer started a series of events that led to Rachel quickly severing her ties with Below Deck and Bravo. Despite her current appearance on Below Deck season 10, Rachel has continuously slammed the franchise over the past few months, such as one Facebook post that was captured by Reddit user u/get_lizzy. While Rachel takes the title of the most shocking Below Deck cast member in 2022, time will tell if the crown is passed on in 2023.
Sources: u/Beachgirl8thst/Reddit, u/wheelerin/Reddit, u/get_lizzy/Reddit