The drama on “Below Deck Down Under” has reached fever pitch. A contentious dispute over cleaning the crew mess has fans and crew members alike pointing fingers. Chief Stew Lara Rigby is at the center of the storm. Accusations of disrespect and power plays are flying. The turmoil has even spilled off-screen into a shocking social media blocking scandal!
Below Deck Down Under: Who Ordered Alesia to Clean?
A seemingly simple task has ignited a firestorm. Who is responsible for cleaning the crew mess? Traditionally, fans recall, “It’s literally always been the deck team’s responsibility.” Yet, Chief Stew Lara tasked Sous Chef Alesia Harris with the job. This move baffled viewers. Why Lara and not Head Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph, Alesia’s direct superior?
Eyewitness accounts from the show suggest Captain Jason Chambers instructed Lara. “Jason specifically asked Lara ‘Have one of your girls clean the mess’ because the Bosun gave Adair to her,” one fan recalled. This order was reportedly given in front of Tzarina. Lara then immediately asked Alesia.
Critics argue Lara “should have asked Tzarina first, not assigned the duties herself.” Many see it as Lara attempting to “put herself about Tzarina in the Crew pecking order.” The decision was especially puzzling since Lara herself stated the task “literally takes 5 minutes.”
Will Harry and Bri make it official? 🤔 Catch the latest on tonight's new episode of #BelowDeckDownUnder! pic.twitter.com/AaoaJpasrv
— Bravo (@BravoTV) May 12, 2025
Below Deck Down Under: Lara Under Fire
Lara’s handling of the crew mess situation is just one part of a larger pattern of behavior that has fans fuming. Many viewers label her a “mean girl who wants to boss everyone around.”
A more serious charge is her alleged disrespect towards Captain Jason. “I don’t get how her disrespect of Jason isn’t a bigger topic. She doesn’t follow orders well,” a fan commented. Instances cited include Lara “walking away from his conflict resolution.”
Some believe Lara’s attitude stems from a previous role. She reportedly said her “last captain let her take control of anything and everything.” This has led to an “inflated ego,” according to one fan. There are even accusations that Lara is “Clearly trying to sabotage cheffy [Tzarina]” by creating unnecessary conflict.
Below Deck Down Under: Harry Claims Tzarina “Blocked” Him Amidst “Online Blasting”!
The on-screen tension has dramatically escalated into off-screen feuding. Deckhand Harry van Vliet recently made a startling claim. He stated Tzarina “BLOCKED me on Instagram after I suggested she calmed down her comments about the current season on Instagram.” Harry accused Tzarina of “online blasting or bullying.”
Lara quickly amplified Harry’s post. She added, “Finally someone speaks out! Remember you only see a small snippet of what was really going on.” This social media spat suggests the rifts run deeper than viewers imagined.
And say what you will but there has not been one single complaint about Tzarina’s food #BelowDeckDownUnder pic.twitter.com/b4tUQwEKJU
— BadGalAli (@aliweitz) May 13, 2025
Below Deck Down Under: Tzarina Speaks Out
Tzarina has publicly addressed her on-screen behavior, particularly towards Lara. She admitted via Instagram to acting “spiteful.” She explained, “I was always kicked down by bullies at school and never stood up for myself.”
While Tzarina expressed regret for her reactions, she also stated, “l’m just proud that for the first time in my life I stuck up for myself.”
In a February interview with Us Weekly, Tzarina also discussed the challenges with her initial sous chef, Anthony Bird. She highlighted the difficulty of having a sous chef “assigned” rather than chosen by her.
Below Deck Down Under: Marina Hints at On-Screen “Playing a Part”!
Other crew members have felt the awkwardness. Stew Marina Marcondes de Barros told Us Weekly in April that the fighting between the chief stew and chef was “uncomfortable.” She cryptically added, “What I’m going to say is somebody is very used to cameras and knows how to play a part.” Marina teased, “They know how to give a lot of information and let the river flow into a certain direction.”
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