While the interior is seemingly imploding on Below Deck Mediterranean, it was the deck team that had us all worried at the start of the season. Ruan Irving was let go due to seemingly forged documents, and the issue of getting a new bosun was imperative.
Captain Sandy Yawn promoted Below Deck fan favorite Luka Brunton on a temporary basis, but was so impressed with him that she kept him on as bosun for the entire season. The promotion was daunting at first, but Luka took it all in stride and had a solid team to lean on.
Lara Du Preez was promoted to lead deckhand in an effort to motivate and simultaneously reign in French native Max Holz. But Luka admits there was another reason for promoting the South African deckhand.
Luka and Lara were “in sync” on Below Deck Med
During Episode 5 of Below Deck Med, Luka explained that Lara “deserved” the title. He added, “Hopefully promoting [Lara] kind of motivates Max to also see what he should be like.”
On the November 13 episode of Watch What Happens Live, Luka told host Andy Cohen that his motives for promoting Lara were not entirely selfless.
“I think having Lara to help me definitely helped motivate [Max],” the bosun explained. “Yeah, me and Lara were in sync. I didn’t even have to tell her what to do, she just knows exactly what I’m thinking. She helped me out a lot.”
There you have it. Lara propped up the fledgling bosun until he found his footing. Frankly, she just rocked on deck. And during her recent turn on WWHL, Lara spoke of finding success in managing Max.
“I think what made him respect me was that he saw that I respected him,” she said of changing her tactic with Max.
“I took Luka’s advice and gave him compliments, and it really went well from there on. He really respected me [after] that,” Lara added.
It was certainly comical to see how Max responded to a little ego boost. After that, the deck team was solid. And Luka is so gosh-darn good looking I’d wager Bravo executives will keep him around for further seasons.
Catch Below Deck Mediterranean, Mondays at 9/8c on Bravo.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF LARA’S PROMOTION? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF LUKA’S EXPLANATION? WAS HER PROMOTION SELF-PRESERVATION FOR HIM?
