Natalya Scudder Shares a Surprising Update on Her Friendship with Tumi Mhlongo
Tumi also revealed how the two would make a "great team" today.
It looks like this Below Deck Mediterranean conflict is now all water under the bridge.
Natalya Scudder and chief stew Tumi Mhlongo clashed as soon as the latter Season 8 cast member made it on board motor yacht Mustique following the first charter. And though the interior team crew members made amends and decided to "hit refresh" in their working relationship on Episode 5, their drama is far from over on the show.
However, when it comes to their relationship today, Natalya revealed a surprising update on where she currently stands with Tumi during an exclusive chat with The Daily Dish. Plus, Tumi herself opened up about her relationship with the third stew when she appeared on the October 23 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
Where Natalya Scudder and Tumi Mhlongo Stand Today
While speaking to The Daily Dish, Natalya acknowledged that she "wasn't too impressed with the way Tumi came on board" in Episode 2, and that the two were "set up for a disaster from day one." However, when she watched the episodes back, she was able to see "different point of views."
Because the two communicated their frustrations to others instead of to one another, things got lost in translation. If they hadn't done that, Natalya said, she and Tumi "would’ve had a very successful season together and there wouldn’t have been any issues."
"I’m a very forgive and forget [type of person]," she said about making amends with Tumi on Episode 6. "We’re already in a tough enough work environment without having to deal with stupid back and forth arguing."
In addition to agreeing to a fresh start on the show, Natalya and Tumi are now on good terms today.
"Tumi and I are currently talking. We are now friends on Instagram," Natalya said. "We’re talking about BravoCon, so it’s been very positive from now on. Since the show’s been airing, it’s actually [been] quite positive."
Their relationship has improved so much that Natalya would be interested in working alongside Tumi again in the future.
“I would be happy to do another season with Tumi to show that we can actually work together," she added.
Tumi Mhlongo Weighs in on Her Friendship with Natalya Scudder
Natalya views her relationship with Tumi in a different light today, but does the chief stew feel the same way?
On WWHL, Tumi shared that "it felt so great" to get on the same page as Natalya on Episode 5.
"I was so tired, I was over it, I was just like, 'Let's just get along,'" Tumi explained. Though the pair clashed on a personal level during their time on the yacht, Tumi never questioned Natalya's work ethic.
"I commend Natalya, she's phenomenal at her job," Tumi said, before adding that "she did great" when she filled in as chief stew.
The Below Deck Down Under alum even revealed how different things would be if the two worked together again in the future.
"If we got along, we would kill the [table]scapes. Like, we would kill it," she said. "I just think that we would be a great team."
