Lara Rigby’s suitability for a Chief Stewposition was questioned before the season began, but theBelow Deck Down Understar has proven she’s here to stay and was the right choice to replace Aesha Scott.Below Deck Down Underhas been a dramatic ride so far, with theproblematic Bosun Wihan Du Toitand Lara butting heads over service standards. Meanwhile, Wihan has also attempted to woo nearly every woman onboard the Katina, finally writingDeckhand/Stew Adair Werley a love letter.
Amid all the chaos, Lara has proven that, while different from Aesha, she was the right choice to replace the popular cast member.Below Deck Down Underseason 3would undoubtedly suffer without her, especially as Wihan struggles to control the deck and Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph experiences undue struggles in the galley. Here’s why she’s here to stay.
6Lara’s Stews Respect Her
Only Adair Causes Trouble
Lara has faced little pushback from her Stews onBelow Deck Down Underseason 3, but even in the recent episode, she doesn’t lose control of her department because they actually respect her. Brianna Duffield and Marina Marcondes de Barros generally trust her leadership, even if they don’t always agree with her decisions. Much to Marina’s dismay, Lara placed her on housekeeping duties while Brianna got to focus on guest service. This frustrated Marina, who expected a rotation during the charter season.
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Adair is the only one to question Lara, but she stands her ground and proves she’s not one to be messed with. She made it clear that her system was designed for efficiency, not favoritism. Lara doesn’t get flustered; rather, she successfully keeps her interior team in line, whether Adair likes it or not.
5Lara Doesn’t Take Wihan’s Nonsense
She Forces Him To Answer For His Inefficiencies
Lara is not one to tolerate nonsense, making her the perfect foil to Wihan. As Chief Stew, Lara expected a strong work ethic from the Bosun, who is supposed to be her equal, but Wihan’s laid-back approach, especially his tendency to take extended breaks while others picked up the slack, put him on her bad side. The foam party left the deck in a shambles, and Lara was thoroughly unimpressed with the deck crew’s inability to do their jobs. While Deckhand Johnny Arvanitis worked tirelessly to clean up the mess,Wihan chose to grab a snack and call it a night.
Lara’s priority is always professionalism, and she won’t let Wihan continue to jeopardize guest experiences.
Despite multiple attempts by Lara and Chef Tzarina to hold Wihan accountable, he dismissed their concerns, blaming the heat and denying that he was slacking off. Captain Jason Chambers warned the crew members that their inability to work together could result in one of them being sent home. Lara refused to back down, making it clear that she wouldn’t tolerate Wihan’s unprofessional behavior. She’s not someone to be messed with.
4Lara Is Professional With Captain Jason
She Controls The Interior Crew So He Can Drive The Boat
It’s tough to matchAesha’s relationship with Captain Jason, but Lara’s professionalism with the Captain makes her the right replacement. Unlike Aesha, who had a flirty and playful style with Captain Jason, Lara maintains a more formal and businesslike relationship with him. Lara is here to run the interior like a well-oiled machine, not to mess around.
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Lara stays composed under pressure, and this made Captain Jason trust her pretty quickly. Whether it was ensuring a solid dinner service or addressing crew issues head-on, she never wavers in her leadership. While they may not have the same playful banter that Captain Jason shared with Aesha, their working relationship is built on a foundation of mutual respect.Captain Jason needs a Chief Stew who can handle business without distraction, and Lara is more than capable of delivering exactly that. He’s got enough to worry about with Chef Tzarina and Wihan.
3Lara Is Willing To Go Between Chef Tzarina And Wihan
She’s A Neutral Third Party
Lara and Chef Tzarina seemed poised to butt heads onBelow Deck Down Underseason 3, but in reality, she has served as a stalwart supporter of Chef Tzarina and a go-between when Wihan scorned her. Chef Tzarina is a little too chaotic for Lara, who prefers structure and organization for guest service. However, they’ve become pals aboard the Katina, bonding over their shared frustration with Wihan, albeit for slightly different reasons.
Lara definitely has a tendency to side with Chef Tzarina, but it’s only because Wihan’s behavior has been unacceptable.
Initially,Wihan kissed Chef Tzarina during a drunken game of truth or dare, leading Tzarina to believe there might be a budding connection between them. However, the situation takes a complicated turn when Wihan goes on a date with Marina and later writes a love letter to Adair.. This sequence of events didn’t sit well with Lara, who confronted Wihan about his inconsistent behavior and warned him against causing more drama. Wihan obviously didn’t listen, but Lara continues to serve as a mostly neutral third party between the other two in leadership.
2Lara Is Stern Without Being Rude
She Is Confident And Assertive
Larais always stern without being rude, striking a perfect balance aboard the Katina. While some Chief Stews rely on intimidation or passive-aggressive tactics,Lara strikes a delicate balance, demanding excellence without being rude. Her approach to managing the interior team is reminiscent ofBelow Decklegends like Hannah Ferrierand Kate Chastain, both known for their no-nonsense attitudes and high expectations.
“Happy@belowdeckbravoday from the girl gang of Katina ⚓️♥️”
Lara’s ability to set high standards without alienating her team comes down to her hands-on approach. She doesn’t just bark orders; she actively trains and mentors her Stews, ensuring they understand the most detailed standards, down to changing the sheets. Her constructive feedback is direct but never demeaning, fostering an environment where her team feels both challenged and supported. Adair seems to have issues with Lara, but Brianna and Marina both admire her.
1Lara Always Puts The Guests First
Her Service Standards Are Impeccable
Most importantly for the head of the interior, Lara always puts the guests first onBelow Deck Down Underseason 3. Lara made it clear that service was her top priority, even if that meant butting heads with the crew. In the first episode, Lara was forced to deal with a chaotic dinner service, where a miscommunication with Chef Tzarina over cutlery sent Lara into a panic. With a multi-course meal on the line and timing falling apart, she managed to adhere to her high service standards.
Despite the rough start, Lara refused to let the drama shake her focus. When guests made last-minute breakfast requests, she went out of her way to ensure they got exactly what they wanted. For Lara, compromising on service simply wasn’t an option. If crew members can’t keep up, Lara will demand they rise to the occasion, hence her issues with Wihan. Lara might be different from Aesha, but she was absolutely the right choice to replace her onBelow Deck Down Under.
She’s here to stay.Below Deck Down Underairs on Mondays at 9 p.m. on Bravo ET and streams the next day on Peacock.
