From the very moment Kate Chastain came aboard Bravo’s hit series Below Deck, the star left a lasting impression on fans and cast members alike due to her work ethic.
For context, Below Deck follows yacht employees during the charting season as they worked and lived on a luxurious boat. Chastain –whose yachting career dates back to 2007— became a chief stewardess after many years in the field, a position she kept when she joined Below Deck’s season two cast in 2014.
Chastain successfully chartered numerous boats during her time there and instantly became a fan favorite for her managerial skills, sense of humor, and facial expressions. Despite the accomplishments, the former reality star appeared ready for a new chapter in her life and career as she expressed displeasure in her chief stewardess responsibilities. Chastain remained on the show until 2020 when she shockingly announced to Captain Lee Rosbach that she was leaving Below Deck after season seven to pursue other endeavors on land.
Why did Kate Chastain depart from Below Deck?
In addition to breaking the departure news to Captain Lee Rosbach, Chastain took to her official Instagram to reveal the main reason behind her exit: financial independence. Following the revelation, Chastain claimed that the decision to leave Below Deck wasn’t an easy one, in fact, it took months of “reflection and internal discussions.” 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 the Below Deck Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support His Majesty Andy Cohen”
So what happened to Kate Chastain after leaving Below Deck and what has she been up to lately?
What Is Kate Chastain Doing Now?
Shortly after Chastain’s departure, she moved to New York to start a radio show with Sirius XM named Unapologetically Kate Chastain. According to the 2020 press release, Chastain’s radio show featured her “unfiltered” opinion on “pop culture, social commentary,” etc.
Along with the radio show, Chastain reportedly began a production company titled Remotely Possible Productions. Although Chastain revealed little details regarding the company, the star disclosed the sole reason behind its creation at the height of the pandemic in an Instagram post. She wrote,
“At this point I’m ready to start my own pandemic proof production studio….calling it Remotely Possible Productions; where good enough is safe enough.”
To date, it is unclear if Chastain is still working at Sirius XM, however, since leaving Below Deck, her business relationship with Bravo Network continued. The star briefly appeared on Bravo’s Chat Room and a Below Deck spinoff Gallery Talk, a series where cast members bond and review the latest episode of Below Deck. Most recently, Chastain participated in the competition series The Traitors on Peacock.
Most recently, Chastain participated in the competition series The Traitors on Peacock. As for her humanitarian efforts, Chastain created Genesis Boutique. Genesis Boutique is a Florida resale store that raises funds for their organization, providing shelter for homeless women and children.
In order news, Chastain became a mother for the first time in May 2023 after she welcomed her son Sullivan Cay. Although the identity of Cay’s father has yet to be revealed to the public, many fans assumed that it was Chastain’s former co-worker Chef Ben Robinson due to the pair’s striking resemblance. Still, both parties have denied the allegations, and Chastain has since revealed that she is raising her son alone in Florida.
Despite the fact that Chastain left Below Deck three years ago, the star did possibly tease in a previous interview with Entertainment Tonight that the only way she would come back to show is if she was demoted to level three stewardess because of the lack of responsibilities, or if the network agreed to pay her more money.
“I’d just be down there with my music saying, ‘Hey, guys…’ You get to be part of it with zero responsibility. When you’re third stew, you don’t realize how wonderful life is.”
But after the birth of her son Sullivan Cay earlier this year, it is unlikely that Chastain will return to the popular series.
All seasons of Below Deck are available on various streaming services for a small fee including Peacock, Vudu, Hulu, and many others.
