6 Below Deck Alums Who Still Have Careers In Yachting Despite Their Villain Edits (They Are Good At Their Jobs)

Some Below Deck villains are incompetent, but these six cast members are good at their jobs despite sometimes being labeled as the bad guys. Below Deck Down Under season 3 is well underway, and Sous Chef Anthony Bird emerged as an early villain. However, he was unlikable, partially because he was so bad at his job of assisting Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph in the galley.

Other villains, like Elena "Ellie" Dubaich, thought they were better at their jobs than they were, and controversial Chef Ryan McKeown couldn't stick to preference sheets. The best villains on Below Deck are the ones who are great at their jobs but rub people the wrong way for whatever reason. Here are the top six examples.

6 Captain Sandy

Below Deck Mediterranean

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Captain Sandy Yawn is one of the most iconic Below Deck cast members, but she has gotten a bit of a villain edit in the past. Over the seasons, Captain Sandy has been depicted as overly controlling, playing favorites, and micromanaging her crew. One of the most infamous examples was in season 5 when she fired Chef Kiko Lorran after a disastrous Vegas-themed dinner. She seemed to set him up to fail.

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The biggest example of her villainy was the culmination of her tense relationship with Chief Stew Hannah Ferrier. It reached its boiling point when Captain Sandy fired her for having unregistered Valium and a CBD pen on board. While Captain Sandy framed it as a safety issue, it also seemed like a way for her to get rid of someone she never really liked. Regardless, Captain Sandy is an amazing yachtie and continues to work in the industry, appearing in Below Deck Mediterranean.

5 Chef Rachel Hargrove

Below Deck

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Chef Rachel Hargrove may have been one of Below Deck's most polarizing figures, but that hasn’t stopped her from thriving in the yachting industry after leaving the show. Known for her fiery personality and brutally honest takes, Chef Rachel continues to work aboard superyachts as a sought-after chef. She had problems with Bravo and production, but yachting is where she belongs.

Chef Rachel was a controversial cast member, but her food was always up to standard.

Before Below Deck, Rachel had already built an impressive resume with over 14 years of experience in the industry. She even trained at the Michelin-starred Quatro Passi in Italy and worked alongside former Chief Stew Kate Chastain on a yacht long before either of them became reality TV staples. Chef Rachel was too outspoken for the show, but her culinary skills are unmatched. She recently partnered with Virgin Voyages for a high-profile takeover of their galley, further proving her skills.

4 Chef Johnathan Shillingford

Below Deck Mediterranean

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Chef Johnathan Shillingford may have received a controversial edit on Below Deck Mediterranean season 9, but it hasn’t stopped him from thriving in the yachting industry. While Captain Sandy tried to replace him midseason, he rose to the occasion in the second half. Chef Jono didn’t follow the typical path to becoming a yacht chef. Originally trained as an architect, he made an unexpected career switch after temporarily filling in as a chef on a friend’s yacht.

Below Deck Mediterranean Chef Johnathan Shillingford Age 32 Job Chef Hometown Roseau, Dominica

That short-term gig turned into a two-year stint, leading him to a full-fledged career in yachting. Coming from a family of chefs, Chef Jono had natural talent, but Below Deck Mediterranean put him to the test in ways he didn’t anticipate. Throughout the season, Chef Jono faced his fair share of drama, almost getting fired for serving a guest food that could have triggered a severe allergic reaction. However, Chef Jono seems at home on a yacht and might return next season.

3 Malia White

Below Deck Mediterranean

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Malia White has managed to carve out a thriving career in the yachting industry, proving that her villain edit Below Deck Mediterranean season 5 didn't matter in the long run. Since first appearing on Below Deck Mediterranean, Malia has steadily climbed the ranks in the industry, using the show as a springboard to gain more experience as a Bosun and beyond. Despite the backlash over controversial moments, like reporting Hannah for unregistered medication in season 5, Malia stayed focused on her professional development.

Malia was just following Maritime Law when reporting Chief Stew Hannah on Below Deck Mediterranean.

Since leaving the show, she earned her Officer of the Watch certification, a major milestone. In 2024, Malia wrapped up a charter season in the Caribbean before embarking on an Atlantic crossing, teaming up with fellow Below Deck alum Katie Flood. Her continued presence in high-level yachting circles proves that her tenure on Below Deck Mediterranean was only a springboard, not a detriment.

2 Bugsy Drake

Below Deck Mediterranean

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Christine “Bugsy” Drake has proven that a villain edit on Below Deck doesn’t have to be a career killer. Despite her clashes with Hannah Ferrier in Below Deck Mediterranean season 2 and the drama that followed when she returned as Chief Stew in season 5, Bugsy’s skills have kept her thriving in the yachting industry. Known for her high-energy personality and “Queen of Theme” tablescapes, she brought a level of creativity and organization that impressed guests, even if it ruffled a few feathers among the crew.

Since her time on Below Deck Mediterranean, Bugsy has continued working as a Chief Stew on luxury yachts. Her passion for the job didn’t stop when the cameras did, and she’s built a strong reputation for her attention to detail and ability to deliver over-the-top charter experiences. In 2021, she took her love of yachting to the next level by publishing The Art of Tablescaping, a book showcasing her signature entertaining style.

1 Gary King

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

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Gary King has been a staple on Below Deck Sailing Yacht, and despite being great at his job, he deserves the edit. Earning a reputation as a highly skilled first mate with over a decade of experience in the yachting industry, Gary is also known for his drinking and philandering. However, Gary’s expertise on deck has never been in question. His ability to manage the crew, handle high-pressure situations, and ensure charter guests have a smooth experience has made him an asset to every yacht he’s worked on.

Gary denied the sexual misconduct allegations.

Gary's flirtations and love triangles have made him central to the drama on Below Deck Sailing Yacht, but his alleged misconduct behind the scenes has cast a shadow over his career. In recent months, Gary has faced serious allegations of sexual misconduct, leading to legal action that has impacted his presence on Below Deck Sailing Yacht. There are questions regarding his future presence in the Below Deck franchise, but he's unlikely to leave yachting.