"Am I Going Crazy?": Below Deck Down Under's Lara's Shocking Remarks About The Season & Wihan Paint Him As The Villain

Below Deck Down Under Chief Stew Lara Rigby had big shoes to fill as Aesha Scott’s replacement, but she’s proven herself to be the voice of reason amid a season full of chaos. The season 3 trailer painted Lara in an unflattering light, presenting her as an inflexible perfectionist. Viewers initially worried Lara would be too rigid to handle the unpredictability of working on a charter yacht, especially with the added complications of filming. However, Lara’s precision has been vital to reigning in her team, and she’s established herself as a backbone to Captain Jason Chambers’ crew.

As Lara managed her team swiftly and confidently, Bosun Wihan Du Toit’s deck team was falling apart. His careless management approach often placed undue burdens on his team, and he refused to take accountability for the resulting disasters. As Wihan’s misogyny and inflated ego turned his own team against him, it became more clear than ever that Lara is the polar opposite. Lara’s sense of order and respect for her reports proved paramount to keeping the ship afloat amid Wihan’s incompetence.

Lara Says Working In Close Quarters Is Tough\

She Depends On The Support Of Her Crewmates

Lara broke down the Below Deck Down Under season 3 drama in an interview with Decider, shedding light on the pressures of working and living within the confines of the yacht. She explained that the tight environment can cause tensions to multiply, noting, “Obviously, in that small environment, you do start to question yourself when it comes to conflicts like I had with Wihan. You start to think: ‘Am I going crazy? Am I seeing this wrong?’” With only short breaks in between charters, the crew doesn’t have much free time, which can start to take a mental toll.

Their work becomes all-consuming, and it’s understandable that this contributes to the chaos that develops on board.

Yachties are in the unique position of being isolated from their friends and family for months at a time. Their work becomes all-consuming, and it’s understandable that this contributes to the chaos that develops on board. The Katina is the largest yacht in Below Deck history, but even so, being stuck on a yacht with no privacy can cause reality to become distorted. This is compounded further by the presence of cameras and the anxieties that go along with filming.

Lara herself has experienced the highs and lows of yacht life. She broke down on the first night of the charter season, sobbing alone in her room, undoubtedly from the stress of being in a new environment under enormous pressure. Lara has had to manage unpredictable scenarios, including running food up two flights of steps for each meal service. But she’s also formed a support system on board with both the interior team and Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph. Lara commands respect, but she also gives it when due, which fosters the close relationships that help keep her grounded.

Lara Said Her "Weird Barbie" Remark About Tzarina Mace-Ralph Wasn't A Diss

The Two Have Struck Up A Strong Friendship

Lara and Below Deck Down Under's Tzarina Mace-Ralph worked together on a previous yacht, which makes their relationship somewhat complicated. Tzarina was happy to see Lara on the Katina and excitedly suggested they room together. However, Lara seemed less enthusiastic about their reunion. Her interviews about Tzarina showed hesitation, and she even referred to the chef as “weird Barbie.” This seemed petty, and it set the tone for potential conflict between the two department heads.

However, Lara insists she meant no harm by the comment. She told Decider that the comment was meant to be “playful,” adding, “I really love her weirdness.” Sure enough, Lara and Tzarina have struck up an exceptional friendship over the course of Below Deck Down Under. Lara comforted Tzarina after a fight with Captain Jason, and Tzarina lent Lara a supportive ear amid her clash with Wihan. The two may have very different styles, but Lara and Tzarina have proven they can put their differences aside and show up for each other in times of need.

Lara Can't Get Along With Wihan

She’s Not The Only Crew Member To Have Issues With The Bosun

While Lara has displayed impressive stability during her tenure as chief stew, she found herself in a budding feud with Wihan. The two began clashing early in the season, when Lara grew annoyed with Wihan’s carelessness and inattention to detail. She became fed up with him after his poor planning nearly sabotaged the guests’ beach day, which he didn’t even attend. Later, Wihan failed to make sure the deck was properly cleaned after a foam party, forcing Lara to confront him.

Wihan ignored Lara, instead complaining to Captain Jason about the way she was treating him. To Wihan’s surprise, the captain told him Lara was right.Meanwhile, Wihan’s womanizing habits and manner of speaking down to his crew were spreading toxicity throughout the ship. As Lara told Decider, she stands by her decision to step in because, at the end of the day, the entire crew is a team. If Wihan refused to take accountability, she had no choice but to take matters into her own hands.

One thing that’s clear is Lara’s passion for yachting and the guest experience. Wihan’s incompetence was affecting the guest experience, and his failure to delegate properly was negatively impacting everybody on board. Lara’s decision to step in may have caused Wihan to turn against her, but ultimately, it likely salvaged the rest of the Below Deck Down Under season. It appears there's no love lost between the two, and Lara's scathing remarks leave little doubt about her distaste for Wihan's villainous behavior.

Source: Decider