After six seasons serving as the Chief Stewardess on the popular Bravo series, the reality star won’t be returning for its upcoming eighth season, PEOPLE can confirm.
News of her exit wasposted on Chastain’s Instagram on Monday nightmoments after theBelow Deckseason 7 reunion, in a cheeky statementmimicking Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s headline-making royal exit announcement.
She wrote: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, I have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new land-based role. I intend to step back as a senior member of theBelow Deckfamily and work to become financially independent while continuing to fully support His MajestyAndy Cohen.”
Chastain, 36, has been onBelow Decksince its second season, which debuted in August 2014.
Her no-nonsense management style, dry sense of humor, self-described “resting bitch face,” and penchant for planning and executing lavish theme parties instantly made her a fan favorite — and helped the series become a big hit for Bravo.
The success has even inspired two franchise extensions:Below Deck: Mediterranean, which premiered in 2016, andBelow Deck: Sailing Yacht,which debuted just in February.
Kate Chastain.Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo/NBCU
Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
However,Below Deckhasn’t always offered calm seas for Chastain. In fact, her exit comesafter a particularly challenging season for the Florida native.
This year, she found herself at odds with the majority of the all-male deck crew — including chef Kevin Dobson, who repeatedly berated her with complaints that she had mentally checked out of her job and purposefully kicked sand at her in the finale.
Things got so tough that night that Chastain quit, walking off the boat in a fit of rage.
Though she returned the next morning, Chastain said that she was left questioning her future in yachting.
“Personally, this has been a very challenging season for me,” she said on the season 7 finale. “I think I’m ready for a new adventure.”
Captian Lee and Kate Chastain.Bravo
Throughout it all, Chastain has had one steady support: Captain Lee Rosbach.
“The thing with Kate and I is, she’s one of my best friends,” Rosbach said. “I’ve got five fingers and…she fills up one of those hands. And I don’t have many more than that.”
“It’s always going go that way, I’m always going to have her back, because she doesn’t shy away from doing the right thing,” he added. “And I’m such a firm believer in that. It may be uncomfortable, it may feel like s—, but you have to do it.”
“She’s a really, really caring person,” he continued. “I don’t look at Kate as an employee. We’re co-workers. She runs her department, and I run mine. She’s the best there is.”
Chastain began her yachting career in 2007, starting as a third stewardess on her first yacht and then working her way up to the top.
Back in 2016, Chastain compiled stories from her adventures intoLucky Charming,her first book. Its popularity shot it to the No. 1 spot on the Amazon best-seller list.
She’s also the owner ofGenesis Boutique, a non-profit upscale resale store she opened in Melbourne, Florida in 2016 to help profitGenesis House— an organization that, for over 40 years, has helped provide emergency and transitional housing to homeless women and children.
In 2019, Chastain moved to New York City where she lives with her dog, Halo.
A premiere date for season 8 ofBelow Deckhas not been announced.
source: people.com
