What Happened To Diana Cruz After Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5?

Diana Cruz made her television debut as a stew on Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5, but she’s now taking her career in a surprising new direction. Diana joined Danni Warren on the Parsifal III’s interior team under the guidance of Chief Stew Daisy Kelliher. Although Daisy decided not to rank the stews in an attempt to avoid drama, Diana and Danni still had plenty of grievances. As they bickered over the distribution of their workload and hours, the tension within the interior team lasted the duration of the season.

Diana initially emerged as a mysterious figure in BDSY. The Portuguese actress and model spoke about her experience working on Russian yachts that were seized by the FBI, claims that roused suspicion Diana was a producer plant. But Diana soon revealed herself to be a shy, timid woman with a fierce commitment to her job. In a season that struggled to rise above the off-screen scandal surrounding First Officer Gary King, Diana proved to be a calming force amid stormy seas.

Diana's Journey On Below Deck Sailing Yacht

The Stew Had Drama With Both Danni And Daisy

Diana joined Captain Glenn Shephard’s crew on Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 with several years of yachting experience under her belt. Problems soon arose when Diana and Danni took issue with Daisy’s leadership. They felt her orders were unclear, her management style chaotic, and she often left them scrambling in the presence of guests.

Diana was upset when Daisy asked her and Danni to practice bartending during their free time between charters. Diana refused to do the extra work, even though Danni was willing to oblige. Diana’s attitude drew criticism from Daisy and Danni, and it was the start of a series of clashes between the trio. By the end of the charter season, Diana and Danni were fed up with Daisy’s leadership and severed ties with the Chief Stew.

Meanwhile, although Diana and Danni were allies within their department, they found themselves in a romantic rivalry. Both were interested in Deckhand Chase Lemacks, who joined the crew as a replacement for Emma Crouch. Diana’s shyness got the best of her, and she struggled to turn her interest in Chase into something more. Danni then saw an opportunity and made a move, resulting in a romance that lasted well beyond their time on the yacht. Diana was heartbroken by the betrayal, yet ultimately, she understood that Danni had no obligation to sit back and wait for her.

Diana's Studying To Be A Personal Trainer

She Revealed Her Plans In An Emotional Video

Although Diana seemed passionate about her work on charter yachts, she recently revealed she’s made a drastic career change. In a heartfelt reel, Diana shared the story of her struggle with body image and the fitness evolution that helped her overcome her battles. At 19, Diana decided she wanted to become a personal trainer but couldn't complete her training due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She worked on yachts to earn a living, but Diana has now returned her focus to fitness.

In response to a fan question about her potential career as a personal trainer, Diana responded that she is “not a stew anymore, I am studying now.”

After sharing her update, Diana confirmed in her Instagram Stories that she is making personal training her sole focus. In response to a fan question about her potential career as a personal trainer, Diana responded that she is “not a stew anymore, I am studying now.” Diana’s committed to continuing her growth and helping others the way fitness helped her, which means she's leaving her work as a stew behind.

Will Diana Return For Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 6?

Her Career Change Makes A Return Unlikely

Diana’s new career path means she'll likely never return to Below Deck Sailing Yacht. Although she could have filmed season 6 before ending her work as a stew, Diana’s intentional shift in her social media content suggests she’s already moving on from her time on the show. Furthermore, she and Daisy ended the season on bad terms, with Diana claiming she wouldn’t work with Daisy again. If Daisy returns for Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 6, it would be highly improbable for Diana to join her.

Diana caused her fair share of drama in Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5, but her kind heart and dedication made her one of the more pleasant crew members to watch. While the end of her career as a stew means her time on the franchise has likely come to an end, it’s admirable that she’s using her experiences to help others who are struggling. COVID put Diana’s career plans on hold, and while that led her to BDSY, she deserves to follow her passion.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht is available to stream on Peacock.

Source: Diana Cruz/Instagram