Below Deck Mediterranean is again for an additional drama-fueled season on the Italian coast with just a few acquainted faces in tow! Along with returning yachties Captain Sandy Yawn, Natalya Scudder and Kyle Viljoen, Below Deck Down Under alum Tumi Mhlongo is becoming a member of the crew of the M/Y Mustique because the Chief Stew. Tumi has the respect of being among the many few different iconic yachties similar to Aesha Scott and Ben Robinson to leap franchises, and he or she is greater than as much as the duty. Even although she described lacking the primary constitution of the season attributable to visa points as “essentially the most undesirable scenario,” Tumi realized that “there are issues which you can’t management” in life, particularly within the yachting business.
As for slicing her enamel as a Chief Stew for the primary time on tv, Tumi conceded that she was nervous, however excited for the problem. “It felt very nice to be given the chance to point out the viewers that I’ve grown,” Tumi defined. Luckily, she had her former Chief Stew Aesha to depend on for recommendation. “We have been positively texting all through the season,” Tumi gushed. “It was actually comforting simply to have somebody who has gone by the identical factor as a result of being Chief Stew is such a singular expertise.”
Though the Mustique is a large motoryacht at 180-feet lengthy and weighing in at 989 gross tons, Tumi wasn’t intimidated. “The first boat I ever labored on was this dimension,” Tumi remembered. Perhaps essentially the most intimidating a part of her job was coping with the combative dynamic between her Stews Natalya and Kyle. “It was exhausting. I gained’t lie,” mentioned Tumi. “They are two very large personalities.” Looking on the brilliant aspect, Tumi described navigating between her division’s conflicting personalities as a “was a superb take a look at.”
Decider acquired an opportunity to hop on a Zoom name with Tumi to speak concerning the upcoming season, why she prefers to work with a “stricter” captain like Captain Sandy, and why she “doesn’t give a shit” about boatmances on board.
DECIDER: You are a part of an elite crew of yachties to leap Below Deck franchises. Besides working in a brand new capability, how did your expertise differ from Down Under to Mediterranean?
TUMI MHLONGO: I felt like Below Deck Down Under was positively extra relaxed, for certain. The crew cherished one another rather a lot. My first season on Below Deck Mediterranean was a bit extra intense. It’s the Med. The Med’s extra subtle, which is one thing I like. I’ve all the time needed to work within the Med.
You acquired a well-deserved probability to run the inside your self as Chief Stew this season. What was it like taking that leap in entrance of the cameras?
It was completely loopy now that I truly give it some thought. [laughs] I used to be like, “I can not imagine I’m doing this on a ship this dimension, for the primary time, as chief stew on tv.” However, it felt nice. It felt very nice to be given the chance to point out the viewers that I’ve grown.
The M/Y Mustique is an intimidating vessel. What have been the most effective half and worst half about engaged on it?
The first vessel I ever labored on was the identical dimension because the Mustique, so I wasn’t too intimidated. The better part was all of the storage. I actually miss it in that sense. The worst is that we needed to run up and down extra stairs. Overall, I cherished it.
You had an important relationship with Below Deck Down Under Captain Jason Chambers. How did you want working for Captain Sandy?
I actually loved working with Captain Sandy. I choose a stricter captain as a result of everybody understands their boundaries. I come from a really strict yachting background. It’s what I do know and what I like. Captain Sandy’s type of management was positively totally different from Captain Jason’s, however in great way. Also, she likes table-scaping, and he or she likes issues which can be fairly, like I do. I cherished her.
Did you be taught something out of your Below Deck Down Under Chief Stew Aesha Scott that you simply have been in a position to apply aboard the Mustique?
Yes. I positively messaged Aisha a number of instances. I’d ship her questions like “What do you do right here? And what if this occurs?” We have been positively texting all through the season. It was actually comforting simply to have somebody who has gone by the identical factor as a result of being Chief Stew is such a singular expertise. She’s all the time been on my aspect, so it felt to get recommendation from her. Both she and Captain Jason are all about working arduous and having enjoyable.
One of crucial relationships onboard is between the Chief Stew and the Chef. How did you navigate that delicate dynamic with Chef Jack?
You can see from the season trailer that our relationship at first was a bit rocky, however I contemplate the Chef as part of my inside crew. I’m all about supporting a Chef. I don’t imagine in going towards a Chef, and I made certain he knew that.
You are nonetheless working in your visa points on the Below Deck Med season premiere. Was it troublesome to overlook out on the primary constitution?
It was my worst nightmare. I’d’ve cherished to have seen the boat earlier than the primary constitution and gotten the prospect to settle in. It was essentially the most undesirable scenario, however there are issues which you can’t management. It gave me nervousness, however what might we do?
Because you weren’t in a position to be on the boat, Natalya needed to step up and be your interim Chief Stew. Did you already know her earlier than this constitution season? Were you okay with that association?
I didn’t know her personally earlier than this. It’s a traditional association, to be trustworthy. Sometimes you’ve acquired just a few stews onboard earlier than the traditional chief stew can are available in. The second stew will step up into the chief place after which come again down. That is nothing uncommon within the yachting business. It’s not essentially the most fascinating factor, but it surely occurs on a regular basis.
Natalya and Kyle’s love/hate relationship was well-documented on the final season of Below Deck Med. How did you handle their often-combustible connection?
TM: Yeah, it was exhausting. I gained’t lie. They are two very large personalities. One factor with this season is that each one the crew members have large personalities…and have been all crammed collectively and partying in shut quarters. It was clearly going to be a really overwhelming expertise. I’m not essentially like them. I’m rather more relaxed and wish everybody to get alongside. I’m similar to: “Let’s simply have enjoyable. Everything’s high quality. We’ll be high quality.” It was a superb take a look at for me, I’ll say that.
The present’s trailer confirmed stew Jessika Asai and deckhand Luka Brunton getting awfully shut. What’s your coverage on boatmances between the groups?
I actually couldn’t give a shit who you fall in love with who on a ship [laughs]. Do no matter you need so long as you may get to work each morning and stick with it along with your duties. If hooking up with one other yachtie doesn’t have an effect on your job, go for it. Boatmances by no means work out, however individuals need to be taught on their very own.
Even although you weren’t onboard when Ruan’s paperwork points occurred, what did you consider the scenario when you have been debriefed?
Well, I didn’t actually know what occurred once I acquired onboard the yacht. I’m watching what went down with the viewers. I used to be fairly shocked. Funny sufficient, I truly know of him.
So what you’re perhaps implying is that he had a popularity that perhaps preceded his look on the present?
I’m not shocked.
Interesting… switching gears, who do you assume cried essentially the most this season?
Who didn’t cry? [laughs] That’s such a superb query… in all probability Jess.
And who had essentially the most hookups this season?
Oh, Luka. Come now. Have you seen his face?
He’s so cute! Last season of Below Deck Down Under actually acquired a raise when he joined the deck crew.
He’s so fairly in individual, let me simply inform you. I really like him. I am keen on him, and I’ll by no means contact him. And he is aware of that. I’ve instructed him a number of instances.
I do know you’re an enormous Bravo fan. Other than Below Deck Down Under, what have you ever been watching?
I’m an enormous Real Housewives fan. Massive. I really like RHONY proper now. I used to be a bit skeptical about it as a result of I actually love the unique one, however I’m completely loving the brand new solid. I can not watch for RHOBH to come back again. RHOSLC seems prefer it’s insane this season. I’m simply all concerning the Real Housewives franchise.
If you would perhaps cross over with one other Bravo present, what would it not be and why?
For the longest time I used to be like, “Oh, perhaps I’ll do Summer House.” I don’t know. I’ve by no means actually needed to be on a present the place the target is to hook up with individuals or celebration on a regular basis or be in a relationship or no matter. I simply love the Hamptons.
For the primary time ever, Below Deck yachties, Summer House solid members and different Bravolebrities can be colliding on the upcoming season of Winter House. In the trailer, we see Below Deck Med alum Katie Flood flirting with Vanderpump Rules star Tom Schwartz. What do you consider that hookup?
I truly assume they appear like a superb couple? If I’m being trustworthy although, I’m probably not certain about Schwartz. He looks as if a pleasant man however has just a few screws unfastened. Do you, boo. Do you. At least it wasn’t Tom Sandoval!
Below Deck Mediterranean Season 8 airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.
