The premiere of the 11th season of the reality show "Below Deck Mediterranean" comes at a time of joy and change for Esha Scott. The beloved senior flight attendant, who is currently in her seventh year on the popular Bravo show, married her longtime boyfriend, Scott Dobson, in March. This event naturally has fans wondering what's next. Scott feels she's entered a new chapter in her career, perhaps even a crossroads. However, the New Zealander's love for reality television and the yachting industry remains unwavering.
This is what keeps her coming back again and again, especially when she gets the chance to work with Captain Sandy Yaun again. Joining them on board Akira One are Bosun Nathan Gallagher and Dean Joe Bradley. The interior design team also includes Chef Joy Lefauchere and flight attendants Jen Lilly, Kaylee Smith, and Kat Johnston. Scott was thrilled to learn she would be supervising three flight attendants on charter flights in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Ahead of Below Deck Med's June 8 premiere, we caught up with the newlywed to discuss the drama on board and her plans for the future.
Below Deck Mediterranean — Season 11
Down Deck Mediterranean - Pictured: Esha Scott - (Photo: Fred Jagenot/Bravo)
Congratulations on your marriage! Do you view your career a little differently now?
Esha Scott: It's interesting that you ask that, because I was actually thinking about that. Yeah, getting married was amazing. I absolutely loved it. Being married is so wonderful. It really is a different feeling. A lot of people talk about that, and you start to wonder how it could be different. And it really is. You feel so much more cohesive, like a real team. Part of me was a little worried that getting married would make me a boring cast member or something. But I really don't think it changes anything that much. I think it fits in well with how my role is changing, which isn't part of the drama. I'm more of a drama mediator and the "mom" role on the ship. I think that fits in with the evolution I'm going through.
Your witty phrases, GIF-worthy facial expressions, memes—I can't imagine you being boring.
Oh, thank you!
The season we're about to see took place just before your wedding. What was your mood like when you knew your wedding was coming? Did it affect your work while you were thinking about it?
Yes, it really helped because whenever I was tired or didn't feel like going out and interacting with guests again, I'd say, "Esha, you're getting married soon. It's really expensive." So you do everything you can to get those tips because the tips actually covered the wedding costs. I'd love to say I had enough influence to pay for the entire wedding, but I had to shell out a lot. It was a great motivator. It was great because Scott got some training in cooking. I left him a list that he was able to complete.
What was it like being back with Captain Sandy? You two have really grown close over the past few years.
My relationship with Captain Sandy is really special. I think in the beginning, she was more of a mother figure. But over time, we've become more equal. Now she's more like "a colleague's wife." It creates a sense of security. It gives you the confidence that you're going into such a difficult task with someone you love very much and feel comfortable around. Filming is very isolating. You can barely talk to anyone from your family. You're so busy. It's so exhausting. And knowing that my best friend is there, that I can go into Captain Sandy's cabin and say, "I want to talk about this. Can we hug? What can we do?" I can also go up there and laugh and take my mind off all the stressful situations for a minute. You go there with your protection and support. It makes it so much easier. She's also incredible. She's so cool.
What was your reaction when you found out that Nathan and Joe were back?
I didn't know anything until I joined the crew. I saw the resume and thought, "Oh my god, this is amazing television!" I also felt sorry for Nathan because he didn't know anything. I think Joe assumed Nathan would come back, but Nathan really didn't know anything. He was caught off guard. I just thought that coming to work already in a stressful executive position, with the stress of a partner and a child, was too much for Nathan.
Below Deck Med
BELOW DECK MEDITERRANEAN — Pictured: (L-R) Kaylee Smith, Joy Lefauchere, Genevieve Lilly, Katrina Johnston, Esha Scott — (Photo: Fred Jagueneau/Bravo)
You have three flight attendants this season. What's it like managing all these different personalities?
Three stewardesses—it was amazing! It was a first for me. I loved it so much, because on a boat that size there should be three stewardesses. For the first time, I had enough hands to handle the job. Because the job felt doable for the first time, I fell in love with my job again. It got to the point where departure day would arrive, and I'd see the guests coming down the dock. I was so excited. Hooray, let's give them an unforgettable time, because I had enough hands to handle it all. That was my special side. Yes, different personalities are always difficult to manage. And adding another one certainly made it even more challenging.
Everyone wants to be a second flight attendant. It's funny that Jen had more experience on paper, but Kat was a senior flight attendant. Kaylee was a senior flight attendant for a while, too. They just weren't as open about it. As for actual talent, Jen didn't have any more than the other girls. So I think there was a disconnect. She was a good flight attendant, but there was no correspondence between what she had on paper and how good she actually was. She thought she wanted more, but she didn't show it to me. That made it really hard to navigate the situation without hurting anyone's feelings.
This season is positioned as a season more focused on Generation Z. How would you describe this year's team?
The word "Rizz" was mentioned a lot and all that. It was really cool that there were so many young people there, because if you look at my whole career in yachting, I'm probably at a point where I'm approaching the end. It's not over yet, but I've been doing this for ten years now, and I've realized that I'm no longer that young party animal. I'm the guy who's a guide and mentor on the yacht, helping shape the next generation of yachtsmen. On that yacht, during our nights out, I definitely felt like that older guy standing in the corner saying, "Oh my god, they're fucking crazy." I'm no longer part of that young, crazy group.
When I was part of that group and was younger, I always looked at the older person from the outside and thought, "It must be hard for them to be in this position." Now that I'm in that position myself, I'm so happy and content, and I have no desire to be in that other place. I look at them as my children, happy because they're having so much fun. It's great to see this new, exciting energy and to be the person who can help shape it.
Did seeing Gael [Cameron] and Nathan with their baby make you even more excited about having kids?
Yes, of course. Scott and I definitely want kids. Scott is ready, but I'm not quite ready yet. Mainly because I love this show. I already knew I couldn't do both. It's too hard. After watching Nathan try to juggle fatherhood and raising such a small child, I was convinced once again that you can't have a child, sail, and be on Below Deck at the same time. At least, I have to choose one. I guess I have to decide when I'm ready to let this show go, because it's the best thing in the world. I love it so much.
In the teaser, you shed tears yourself. There were some incidents involving the police. There was unrest on set. It's a lot to juggle. What can you tell us about all of this?
There have been a lot of tears this season. I don't even remember why I cried. I think I was walking around the ship and thinking about how my journey would end one day. I was really tired, so I guess that played a role too. Most people have love triangles, fleeting romances, broken hearts, and a lot of tension between crew members. Inevitably, when people are tired and hungover, the tears start flowing.
Was there anything this season that you hadn't seen on previous charter flights?
There was definitely something I hadn't seen before, and it was shown as a preview. It had to do with one person's set of sheets. It was pretty funny. I'd never seen anything like that. We also had our first medical emergency like this. For the first time, I had three flight attendants. You'll see me in a role you've never seen me in before, for a while. A lot of this is new, but it's hard to talk about everything without giving away too much.
What can you tell us about the guests?
All of our guests were absolutely wonderful. They were so much fun. Everyone has their own challenges and quirks, but Dubrovnik is simply stunning. There are so many anchorages, shore excursions, and everything to do. In fact, this was one of the easiest seasons, when I had to entertain guests in so many different ways. We had very stable weather and beautiful surroundings. But no one threw me off. I can handle anyone. The first group we had consisted of showgirls from Las Vegas. Even I, as a heterosexual woman, watched them with my jaw dropped. They performed many of the dances that you will all see. The way they personified the words "sultry" and "seductive" was just incredible. They were so talented. It was a truly great way to start the season.
Now that we've seen Below Deck representatives, is anyone interested in participating in The Traitors?
I really want to take part in the show "Traitors". The thing is, I think I'd be terrible at it. I think it would be a complete nightmare. I'm a terrible liar. I'm terrible at manipulation and all that. I just want to go on the show, try it, and see how it goes.
Below Deck Mediterranean, Season 11, June 8, 8/7c, Bravo (next day on Peacock)
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