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Who Is Malia White? Catch Up on the Winter House and Below Deck Med Cast Member
Learn about the yacht pro's career, relationship history, and friendship with her former captain Sandy Yawn.
Season 3 of Winter House premieres on Bravo on Tuesday, October 24 at 9/8c (new episodes will be available to stream on Peacock the next day) and, for the first time, some familiar faces for fans of the Below Deck franchise are joining the housemates for a wild, wintry vacation.
In Season 3, yacht pros Malia White, Katie Flood, and Alex Propson will join: Amanda Batula, Kyle Cooke, and Danielle Olivera of Summer House; Tom Schwartz of Vanderpump Rules; Kory Keefer of Winter House; Jordan Emanuel of Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard; Brian Benni of Family Karma; and Casey Craig making her Bravo debut.
If you haven’t yet dived into the world of Below Deck, or if you just need a quick refresher, read on for what to know about Below Deck Mediterranean’s Malia ahead of the Winter House premiere.
What happened to Malia White on Below Deck Mediterranean?
Bravo fans first met Malia when she was hired as a deckhand on Season 2 of Below Deck Mediterranean under Captain Sandy Yawn. After a two-season hiatus, Malia returned for Season 5, and she had risen up the ranks to bosun. Malia then served as bosun for seasons 5 and 6.
"Yes, I’m back as Bosun! My life changed after my first season on Below Deck — I left my office job [and] pursued a career in yachting," she said in an April 2020 Instagram post. "I’ve grown up, learned [and] accomplished a lot these past few years and I’m excited to share my journey from deckhand to Bosun. Hopefully inspiring anyone else who wants to make a change in their life!"
What has Malia White done since Below Deck Mediterranean?
In 2021 — after Season 6 ended — Malia shared exciting career update on Instagram: She had completed her first Atlantic crossing. Captain Sandy jumped into the comments of the post to share how "proud" she was of Malia.
Malia did not return to the show for Season 7 (which aired in 2022). Captain Sandy explained in the season's premiere that Malia had pursued the opportunity to serve as chief officer on another vessel.
RELATED: Captain Sandy Yawn Reveals Where Malia White Was During Below Deck Med Season 7
Malia shared another update on her yachting career in a January 2023 Instagram post. “It’s official: your latest Officer of the Watch!” Malia captioned the post. “Thank you to all those who’ve supported me and helped get me here today… It’s been a stressful studying period but it paid off today!”
What is Malia White's relationship with Captain Sandy Yawn today?
Malia shared a deeper look inside her relationship with Captain Sandy during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen: @ Home in July 2020. Malia responded to people who said that she's shown "favoritism" by Captain Sandy. "I think Captain Sandy, people might not see it, but she actually is pretty tough on me at times," Malia said in the above clip. "I think she wants to hold me to the same standard that she holds herself."
RELATED: Malia White Reveals Why She Didn't Report David Pascoe's Injury to Captain Sandy Yawn
In Season 6, Captain Sandy got stern with Malia when she failed to immediately report deckhand David Pascoe's injury following a fall. The conversation culminated in Captain Sandy telling Malia, "I don't trust you."
Malia reflected on this moment during an exclusive interview with Bravo Insider in August 2021. "I think this moment is definitely blown out of proportion. I understand where Captain Sandy’s coming from. I think she understands where I’m coming from," Malia said. "It was just one of those moments where I think we’re near the end of the charter season, and everyone’s kind of at their wit’s end. And a little minor thing turns into a huge problem."
RELATED: Captain Sandy Yawn Reveals Where She Stands with Malia White Today and Shares a Career Update
After Malia left the show following Season 6, she only had lovely things to say about her former captain. On the February 2023 episode of her podcast, Total Ship Show, Malia shared: “I love Captain Sandy. I love her, absolutely. I admire her — she’s what made me want to get in the industry, like stick in it."
In May 2023, Captain Sandy confirmed she was "still in contact" with her former bosun. In October 2023, they reunited in person at the Northrop & Johnson boat show in Monaco.
Malia White's relationship history
Throughout her time on Below Deck Med, Malia had romances with various cast members and crew mates. In Season 2, Malia found herself having some flirty fun with both chef Adam Glick and Wes Walton. She ultimately decided to pursue Adam, and it was later revealed that the two had actually had a fling before the show.
In Season 5, Malia was dating Tom Checketts, who filled in as chef on the boat following Hindrigo "Kiko" Lorran's departure. After filming for Season 5 wrapped, Malia and Tom broke up, which she addressed in Season 6.
RELATED: Malia Details Her "Pretty Bad Breakup" with Tom and If They're Still in Touch
"Last season, I had Tom on board. I had a relationship I was worried about. And I think you saw I was just super stressed out last season, and, you know, constantly worrying about other people, like Tom," Malia told Bravo Insider in August 2021. "Like this season, it was refreshing just to come in and focus on just the job, like being bosun and [working] on my leadership skills and building a team rather than worrying about, you know, my partner on the boat."
RELATED: We Have New Details on Malia White’s Split from Jake Baker and Her Dating Life Today
After filming Season 6 wrapped, it was revealed that Malia was in a relationship with a crew member that we didn't see much of on the show: the vessel's engineer for the charter season, Jake Baker. In February 2023, Malia revealed that she had split from Jake.
