Summary

In an interview with Collider, Fraser Olender says he maintains daily contact with Daisy Kelliher as a support system.

Bonds between Below Deck crew members are strengthened by facing unique challenges together.

Support and guidance from captains like Captain Sandy have helped Fraser evolve as a leader in the industry.

When Fraser Olender hits the panic button on Below Deck, don’t be surprised if it speed-dials straight to Daisy Kelliher — his unofficial chief stew support line. The Below Deck Sailing Yacht Chief Stew has become not only a very close friend, but also a confidante, especially while cameras are rolling.
In an interview with Collider, Fraser says venting over text or swapping advice has become their chief stew go-to survival tactic during the season. “Yes, a lot, and we need to,” he says about being in constant communication with Daisy.
“I don’t think anything’s ever going to be aired. But I talk to Daisy nearly every day. She lives in London, and when we’ve both been here, we see each other so often. She’s obviously out there filming their new season.” The “new” season Fraser hints at may be a sign that Daisy has jumped ship from Sailing Yacht to Below Deck Down Under—though that remains unconfirmed.
Fraser Olender and Daisy Kelliher ‘Absolutely Swap Advice’

“Daisy and I really are a duo, and we love each other.”

Fraser and Daisy share the unique situation of being a chief stew on camera, so they rely on one another for advice and support. “We absolutely swap advice,” Fraser shares. “I mean, we’re both going through such a bizarre career, that faces the public eye, but equally holds so much skill. So you have to keep that up and you’ve got to maintain all of that knowledge. So we do share that with each other. Daisy and I really are a duo, and we love each other.”
Fraser reflects on the stress and scrutiny he and Daisy face in the spotlight, recalling his experience as a first-time chief stew on Below Deck Season 10. “I remember, back when I started season 10, and it was my first chief stew gig on the show, and I was so ready to walk off,” he recounts. “And I remember needing a bit of just someone to get in touch with me for two seconds and say, ‘Get over it, you’ve got this.'” He especially leaned on Daisy during Season 10, when Captain Lee Rosbach had to temporarily leave the boat due to medical issues and Captain Sandy Yawn from Below Deck Mediterranean took the helm. Almost from the beginning, Captain Sandy and Fraser clashed, with him ultimately learning some of the most important lessons in leadership during those weeks with her on board.

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Conversely, Fraser says he supported Daisy when she struggled during Season 5. Daisy had two stews who constantly undermined her, which often left her in tears. “I know she was struggling a bit at the beginning of the season and it was that message of ‘You absolutely have this, this is your moment, this is your job.’ Just the positivity and that drive takes so little from someone to give to someone to change their entire perspective of what they’re going through,” he says.
That love and support extends beyond the sea. “I will be supportive towards her whenever she needs it,” he says. “Support is so easy and people don’t do it enough. And I think that we focus too much on what we’re going through and never take just 10 minutes to think about who else might need it.”
Where Does Fraser Stand with Captain Kerry and Captain Sandy?

“He’s seen me fail, he’s seen me struggle.”

Fraser sought support from his captains and while he ultimately got it from Captain Sandy, it came in tough love form. During Season 10, after she was forced to fire two of his stews, Sandy questioned Fraser’s leadership and delivered a harsh critique, even calling him a “cancer” on the boat — a comment she later admitted she regretted. Still, her blunt words served as a wake-up call. As difficult as it was to hear, the moment lit a fire in Fraser, pushing him to reflect, regroup, and grow into a more decisive, confident leader.
Fraser says he has a good relationship with Captain Sandy and credits that pivotal season with helping him evolve as a department head. “There’s nothing more important and precious and valuable than being responsible for your mistakes and seeing the perspective of someone who has been in the industry for longer than you, and taking your personal opinion out of things,” he says. “I’m learning so much and it’s making me a better person. So as much as I go through hell in front of the whole world, there is some benefit to it.”
While he isn’t likely to work with Captain Sandy any time soon, Fraser is once again paired with Captain Kerry Titheradge for a second season. “It always takes a while to get to know a captain or a captain to get to know you and your skills, and I think that Kerry and I are in a place where he trusts me to do the job,” Fraser says. “He’s seen me fail, he’s seen me struggle. Of course, personality is one thing, and I feel that we’re getting there. But I feel like we’re at a point now and going into next season, should there be one, we have that trust, that friendship and that respect.”
He adds, “When we’re off the boat, we’re buddies, and we support each other. But when we’re on, we both see eye to eye on what needs to be done. I think that’s really, really fundamental.”
Fraser and Captain Kerry return for Below Deck Season 12 on Monday, June 2 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.

Below Deck

Release Date

July 1, 2013

Writers

Mark Cronin

Franchise(s)

Below Deck