Captain Sandy Reacts to Tumi and Natalya's Dramatic Chief Stew Switch
The Below Deck Med cast member admitted she found this moment between Natalya and Tumi to be "shocking."
When Season 8 of Below Deck Mediterranean commenced, returning Season 7 cast member Natalya Scudder was appointed as the chief stew on board motor yacht Mustique.
However, as Captain Sandy Yawn told her on the September 25 premiere, Natalya's position as the leader of the interior team would be short-lived, as Below Deck Down Under alum Tumi Mhlongo would be taking over as the chief stew once her visa issues were resolved.
On Episode 2, which aired on October 2, Tumi touched down in Genoa, Italy, and Natalya handed over the reins. However, it soon became clear that it would not be smooth sailing between Tumi and Natalya, as the ladies quickly clashed over the interior of the boat, and the latter cast member was ultimately named as the third stew.
During the October 9 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Captain Sandy sounded off on the feud between her two interior team crew members, and she revealed whether she thinks Kyle Viljoen was trying to meddle in their drama.
Captain Sandy Yawn Weighs in on Tumi Mhlongo and Natalya Scudder's Drama
The longtime Below Deck Mediterranean captain was appreciative that Natalya filled in for Tumi for the first charter, and she thinks that the Miami resident handled stepping down well.
"She did an awesome job," Sandy said about Natalya on WWHL. "And you know what? She knew what she was stepping into, and I am so grateful for her."
When Tumi arrived to the boat, Sandy wasn't aware that her initial conversation with Natalya was as tense as it was (in case you need a refresher, the two disagreed about the layout of the boat).
"I have to say [that] the interaction between Tumi and Natalya was a little shocking in the beginning. I was like, 'I didn't know that happened,'" Sandy added. "It explains everything."
Captain Sandy Yawn Reacts to Kyle Viljoen's Text
Later on in the WWHL episode, Sandy also opened up about whether she believed that Kyle had good intentions when he texted Natalya about Tumi's concerns for their work dynamic.
"In my thought, I think that he was actually looking out for Natalya, because they were friends..." Sandy said about watching the moment back on the show. "I am always going to air to the kindness"
See more from Sandy, Kyle, Tumi, and Natalya by tuning in to new episodes of Below Deck Mediterranean on Mondays at 9/8c on Bravo. Stream episodes the next day on Peacock.
