Aesha Scott defended Below Deck Mediterranean after criticism of the franchise’s casting process intensified following Nathan Gallagher’s legal controversy.
The longtime cast member responded after former Below Deck star Ben Willoughby questioned how the franchise selected its crews. Former cast member Kyle Stillie then described his own experience joining the show.
Aesha Scott defends Below Deck’s casting process after Nathan Gallagher’s arrest and firing
Stillie claimed production had encouraged cast members to behave in a more exaggerated way while filming as reported by US Magazine.
“You know when I walked on your season lad I’d never even seen a yacht, let alone been on one,” he wrote. He also claimed producers had told cast members to be “larger than life” because “this isn’t yachting, this is below deck.”
Aesha Scott pushed back on that characterization after a fan account shared the discussion.
“I’ve done Below Deck for almost a decade now and have never once been told ‘this isn’t yachting it’s Below Deck,’” she wrote.
Scott also said production had increasingly emphasized responsible behavior over the years.
“Also, over the years they stress more and more we don’t have to drink and they keep a good eye on us,” she added.
Her comments arrived as a separate Below Deck controversy surrounded Gallagher, who appeared as bosun on Season 11.
Australian authorities arrested Gallagher in December 2025 following an alleged incident involving an unidentified 29-year-old woman. Police charged him with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentionally choking a person without consent and common assault.
Authorities later granted him conditional bail. According to the source, a court convicted Gallagher on three domestic violence counts after he failed to appear.
Gallagher previously addressed the allegations and said he accepted responsibility for his own actions while disputing how others had portrayed the relationship.
“I’m not claiming I was perfect. I wasn’t. I made mistakes, and I will take responsibility for my own actions,” he said.
He also confirmed his split from Gael Cameron, with whom he shared son Kayden.
Bravo later ended its professional relationship with Gallagher.
“Bravo does not plan on working with Nathan in the future,” a representative said.
Scott did not directly defend Gallagher. Instead, she challenged the criticism of the show’s broader production and casting culture based on her own years working on Below Deck Mediterranean.