REALITY TV'Below Deck' Chief Bugsy Details Unaired Last Conversation With Hannah: ‘We Got To Start Over’
After the quick departure of former Chief Stewardess Hannah Ferrier, the feisty Christine "Bugsy" Drake takes the reins in season 5 of Below Deck Mediterranean.
Ferrier was fired by Captain Sandy Yawn after it was brought to her attention that her chief stew possessed unregistered Valium and a CBD pen on The Wellington yacht. Prior to the August 17 episode airing of her departure, Ferrier told The Daily Dish that "It was just really, really disappointing to me," she said. "I felt like it got handled really badly."
"It wasn't really something I had expected was gonna happen," Bugsy told E! "Obviously, it came very out of the blue to me and, at that point, it was just time to hit the ground running. We had to carry on amidst all the drama that was going on."
"I think there's a lot more pressure that comes with being a Chief Stew on camera," the South African native expressed. "I think it adds that extra layer of just being more aware of your surroundings and the kind of way you lead your team and the way you come across."
The reality star had earned the chief stewardess title on other charters - having over six years of yachting experience - and described her time on Below Deck Mediterranean as “a fun experience” even though she was “obviously a bit nervous” when jumping into the new role.
As for fan reactions to the 33-year-old’s departure from The Wellington, Bugsy said she felt “empathetic” towards the viewers who have built a connection to the chief stew. "Hannah's been there from the start on Below Deck Mediterranean and I think a lot of people are super invested in her as Chief Stew of the series," she said. "I'm completely open and accepting of people being upset and having a lot of emotions about it."
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However, Bugsy said she's been receiving "a lot of positive feedback" as she knew she was filling "big shoes" on the show.
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As for the former and present chief stew’s friendship, the 30-year-old expressed that the two have finally gotten to “a better place,” despite bumping heads throughout their time working together, adding that she “couldn’t be happier” about Ferrier’s pregnancy news.
"Out of everybody, I think I was the last to find out that she'd actually left the boat," she disclosed. "You don't get to see it on the show, but Hannah did say goodbye to me and we both kind of agreed that it was good that we got to start over."
While the bubbly blonde supported bosun Malia White’s decision to report Ferrier’s undeclared anti-anxiety medication and CBD pen to the captain, she explained "She knows more about the Maritime laws and the more serious side of yachting," adding, "I think she did what she had to do and, you know, I can't judge her on that."
The new Chief Stew also teased about the upcoming season: "I have to say, I know everybody thinks that they've seen the highest point of the drama, but I wouldn't say it's over just yet," she hinted. "I think we're halfway through and there's just so much more to fit in and come."
Bravo’s Below Deck Mediterranean airs Mondays at 9 p.m!
