Victoria SanJuan walked onto Below Deck Mediterranean Season 10 with a broken, yet hopeful heart. Cue Joe Bradley, falling fast, but maybe not as hard as he claimed on air.
Regardless, V also came aboard with enough experience to work solidly in both the interior and exterior departments. Following the passing of her late boyfriend, V shied away from exterior positions. But when two openings arose, V knew she could readily stand in one of these gaps. Watching V take steps to rise above her anxieties and traumas has already created meaningful scenes.
So, Reality Tea got V on the line to chat about her experiences, past, present, and future. And while we had her on the line, we also discussed the Joe of it all, who, as V notes, resembles a “boy” who needs “to grow up.”
How did V end up on Below Deck Med?
V is a girl’s girl, through and through. At the start of our call, she shared her stunning view of the Empire State Building, which she knew I’d dig. So, how did such a considerate human being get cast on Below Deck Med?
“After my boyfriend passed, I was so sucked into that world of grief. And I came to realize that life is really short. So, I said, ‘Well, if I’m going to live this life, I want to really honor him and be as spontaneous as possible.'”
“I always said, if I were ever single, I’d get into yachting, which I guess now I am technically, unfortunately, single.” So, when one of her friends sent her a post for Below Deck Med, V decided, ” I bet I can do it, and then I won that bet.”
But as V jokingly recalled, her next feeling was, “Oh no. Now I have to film it.” Before boarding, however, V grew “nervous.” So, she “paid around $400 for a crash course” on tasks like “paper folding” and knives, “Because I was like, I don’t want to look dumb on TV.”
Further stressors and strains lie ahead for the deck team
During Episode 5, V moved over to the deck team. She now works under Nathan Gallagher, a first-time bosun. As this season progresses, how will V and her team fare under his leadership?
“When someone’s stressed, they can either manage things or take it out on the people around them.” Unfortunately, Nathan might fall into the latter camp, as V confessed, “There is kind of a continuous theme of him cussing us out,” though.
Boo. Nevertheless, which yachtie struggled the most with Nathan’s leadership?
“I think maybe Max [Salvador], because Max was all over the place, and perhaps he’s not used to so much direction.” Additionally, Max likes to have fun, but “we’re not always allowed to run free” with the guests and their demands.
So, will this team finish in a friendly spot? Some will, V teases. Yet, others might not.
“Nathan will eventually see Joe in a different light from where they started. But Max and I are super cool.” However, “Joe and I have an interesting way of parting,” V quipped.
V gets raw about her grief while noting where she currently stands with Joe Bradley
Currently, V and Joe are crushing on each other. V has got Joe in his feelings, to the point where he is ready to commit, or so he says. So, where do V and Joe stand today?
“I would say that Joe and I are cordial, but I definitely don’t trust that man at all. I wish him all the best, but I really hope that he matures. And I hope one day he doesn’t just brush over his own mistakes, that he takes accountability for what he does. Because that’s just the biggest difference between a boy and a man, and right now he’s still a boy.”
Oop.
But as for V, the only direction she desires to move is up. On Instagram, V rawly shared an intimate moment from her healing journey. Bon had locs, and when he passed, V attached a strand to her hair. But one week ago, V emotionally cut his loc out.
Overall, V has “experienced a lot since Bon left. But I think I’ve really honored him in the ways that he would have wanted me to. Because I didn’t let grief control my life.”
V offers an update on Kizzi Kitchener while detailing her Below Deck Med Season 10 highs and lows
Speaking of love, Kizzi Kitchener is engaged. Does V think she might score an invite to her wedding?
Laughing, V admits that Kizzi is “one of those people that I won’t ever trust again.” However, unlike Joe, Kizzi holds herself accountable. “Like, she’s watching the episodes” and apologizing.
“I can accept people who are conscious enough to hold themselves accountable. She’s actually the person I talk to the most. I’m really excited for her. I wish her and Tom [Whiteley] the best.”
Does V have any Season 10 regrets?
“Yes, I do. My biggest regret is that I didn’t call people out on their bullsh*t, and I wasn’t more assertive. If I filmed again, I would tell people how it is.”
On the flip side, what is V the most proud of accomplishing this season?
“One thousand percent, my switch from stew to deck. You see me tear up, but for me, I think for about a day, I was like, wow, I’ve done it. I’ve proven myself. And to me, that’s priceless.”
Up next, V is “planning a move to Australia” to try her hand at “yachting over there as a fresh start.” Typically, Australia is where Below Deck Down Under films. So, would V be interested in a shot at this series with Captain Jason Chambers?
“Absolutely! He’s single and good looking,” V happily answered.
Below Deck Mediterranean is streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT V? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE V ON BDDU?
