Heather Chase is the new chief stewardess who will be joining season 9 of Below Deck. Last season was the first of the series since season 1 that didn't star chief stew Kate Chastain after she announced her departure in the aftermath of season 7. While the viewers were disappointed, they were excited to see Francesca Rubi fill in Kate's shoes for season 8. However, fans didn't warm up to Francesca so quickly, as they didn't appreciate the way she treated her stews.
Francesca most notably picked on her second stew, Elizabeth Frankini. She blamed her second stew for not bringing sunscreen and alcohol to a beach picnic for one of the charter guests, for being unaware about an interior meeting, and even fired her for sleeping in a guest cabin. Viewers, including Kate Chastain, took Elizabeth's side in this feud, as she wasn't doing anything past crew members hadn't done before. The fans spoke, and now Below Deck is on to its fourth new chief stew.
Last week, viewers met Heather for the first time in the new trailer for season 9 of Below Deck. According to BravoTV, Heather plans to bring the highest level of service as the new chief stew. Since she holds such a high standard for herself, she expects the same from her stews. Her second and third stews are Jessica Albert and Fraser Olender, and Heather isn't afraid to let them know what she expects from them throughout the season. "I put people in line that need to be put in line," she says in the new season 9 trailer, which was released last week. However, when need be, Heather isn't afraid to roll up her sleeves and get the job done herself. As said in her press release for the season, Heather is "eager to deliver her guests an unforgettable experience." When one of her stews is less motivated than they should be, the newbie will "pick up the slack and maintain her five-star service."
In fact, the trailer shows Heather separating green M&M's for charters guests and even finding herself in the middle of an argument between guests. "The guests are on a rampage," she later remarks. Not only are viewers excited to see Heather take on the role, but Kate Chastain is as well. "I absolutely love her," the former chief stew said during a recent Instagram Live interview with Hollywood Life. Kate even believes Heather will be the one to take on the Below Deck role full-time for the next few years. "She’s amazing. She’s friendly, she’s funny. [And] she’s sweet. And I’m looking forward to seeing her show them all how it’s done," she added.
Kate commented on Heather's Instagram post of the trailer, writing, "SHOW THEM HOW ITS DONE GORGEOUS." Even Captain Lee signed off his approval of Heather, commenting, "Welcome aboard kiddo," his nickname for Kate when they worked together. Fans will get to officially meet Heather on October 25 when season 9 of Below Deck premieres. While Kate will always be the number one chief stew of the series, Heather might just be the next best thing. Hopefully, she isn't a one-season-wonder like some chief stews of the past.
Sources: BravoTV, Hollywood Life/ Instagram, Heather Chase/ Instagram