This Is What Was Going on in Malia White and Tom Checkett's Relationship Before They Broke Up

Malia White confirmed in September that she and boyfriend Tom Checketts had decided to break up. That may have come as a surprise to Below Deck Mediterranean fans, given how close they had been throughout Season 5. 

However, it became clear during Part 2 of the Below Deck Med Season 5 reunion on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, which aired on October 26, that Malia and Tom were not as solid as we thought. When host Andy Cohen asked about the status of their relationship, Malia replied, "We don't know."

Malia and Tom actually appeared at the virtual reunion together, having reunited in person in London for the first time in several months just hours before sitting down with the rest of The Wellington crew. "We're trying to maintain the best relationship we can, to say that I haven't seen Malia for five-and-a-half months," Tom explained during the reunion. "I've just done a really busy summer season, and Malia has as well. We haven't seen each other since May. So, yeah, it's crazy." 

Tom added of the status of their relationship, "Like I say, we're working it out."

Tom also said that he had been dealing with "a lot of negative comments" on social media as this season of Below Deck Med aired because of his "association with Malia." "It's no secret I've gotten pretty hard backlash this season over everything. People forget that we're just normal people working in yachting and filming a TV show," Malia explained. "Yeah, the backlash has been pretty intense, but luckily, I only have Instagram."

Malia announced that she and Tom had split in a video on Instagram on September 22 after the Below Deck Med Season 5 reunion was filmed. She later explained during her September 28 appearance on WWHL that it became difficult to maintain a relationship while working and living apart for long periods of time. "I'm good. I'm focused," Malia said. "I don't want people to think this is yachting and this happens all the time. It's just distance, and it's s--t, but I'm focused on my career."

Malia said during Part 2 of the Below Deck Med reunion that she has mixed feelings on whether or not she regrets Tom joining the crew this season. To jog your memory, Tom's visit to see Malia on The Wellington this season turned into an extended stay when Captain Sandy Yawn asked him to fill in as chef following the departure of Hindrigo "Kiko" Lorran. "That's a tough one. I do regret, as in, I know what comes along in filming and social media and all this stuff, and that part of it has been really hard," Malia shared. "But obviously at the time, it was really nice to have him there and be with me."

Malia opens up more about working with Tom in the Below Deck Mediterranean Season 5 After Show, above.

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