Below Deck Down Under star Brianna “Bri” Duffield is not your average yachtie! The New Jersey native was a successful model before getting her start in hospitality at the tender age of 16 because she needed a second job that provided flexible hours. Outgoing and personable, Duffield soon realized that she was a great fit for the industry. “I loved it because I like talking to people,” explained Duffield. She also realized “how much money [she] could make in it, especially in the U.S. with tips.”
A fateful encounter with a captain set her on course for joining the hit Bravo franchise as a stew. Confident and competent, Duffield isn’t phased by much, but the size and scope of the super yacht Katina did give her slight pause. “My first impression of Katina was like, ‘Oh, no, please help me,’” remembered Duffield. “It’s a massive boat, and it’s just all interior.” Luckily, she had Captain Jason Chambers and Chief Stew Lara Rigby to guide her. Chambers provided the “kind of leadership that just makes you a better stew,” and working with Rigby also “was a dream.” Duffield noted that Rigby always pushed her to strive for excellence. “She has insanely high expectations, but she also helps you reach them.”
While she’s an incredibly hard worker, Duffield isn’t shy about mixing business with pleasure. She embarked on the first boatmance of the season with Aussie lead deck hand and all-around good guy Harry Van Vliet. Duffield was first drawn to Van Vliet because of his “personality.” “He just uplifted the crew. He was super positive,” explained Duffield. “He’s what you want when you’re looking for a long-term partner.” Will their love make it beyond the charter season? Fans will have to tune in and watch!
Duffield spoke to DECIDER over Zoom about the season so far, the tension between Rigby and Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph, and which yachties from the Below Deck family have reached out to her so far.
DECIDER: We’re a bit more than halfway through the season! How do you think it’s going so far?
BRIANNA DUFFIELD: It’s going amazingly. The interior has been killing it. We’re missing some hands, but I think we pull it together. We all work very hard. The deck team handled the switch up beautifully. It feels like a big family right now.
Now, how does a model like yourself end up a stew? Can you explain that career path for me?
I had been modeling long before I started in yachting. I did quite well as a young model. However, the only other job you could really hold when you are working as a model—because you have to be on-call 24/7—is in hospitality because you can work late night shifts and work weekends, etc. So, I got into hospitality when I was 16. I loved it because I like talking to people, and I realized how much money I could make in it, especially in the U.S. with tips. I’ve always had a heavy spending hand [laughs].
It was nice to have that income. Modeling checks can sometimes take up to three months to come in from the date you do a job. I started working in regular restaurants and then moved on to fine dining establishments before I decided to pursue mixology. When I moved to the Caribbean, I met a captain who got me started in yachting. I was like, “Wow, I can do hospitality on the sea.”
The Katina is quite a big vessel! What were your first impressions?
My first impression of Katina was like, “Oh, no, please help me.” [Laughs] It’s a massive boat, and it’s just all interior. There is very little deck even though it is a 60 meter super yacht. I knew we were definitely in for some hard work even when I thought the elevator was going to work. Without the elevator, it was more of a stairs situation.
Let’s talk about those stairs! How many times did you go up and down them each day?
You have three meal services, and each meal usually had several courses. Also, the guest laundry is on the second floor, which is two flights of stairs down from the crew mess. We were probably up and down the stairs about 40 times a day.
How did you take care of yourself?
I was getting shin splints [laughs], but I didn’t mind the workout because I had no time to go to the gym. It did hurt though. We all were drinking electrolyte tablets to stay hydrated because there was so much physical activity. Plus, it was so hot. Our air conditioning was in and out too. There were so many times when I was serving guests that I realized I was sweating through my clothes. Not very glamorous!
We spoke to Captain Jason, and he said he had to manage everyone a bit this season. How did he help you grow as a stew?
Jason challenges you in amazing ways. Even though you’re giving 100%, he’ll find a way to help you give just a little bit more. That kind of leadership makes you a better stew. Jason always set a standard higher than the standards on a normal super yacht, and I just wanted to please him. I wanted to prove to him that I could work on any super yacht in the world.
It’s clear that you and Lara are quite close. What was it like working with her?
Working with Laura was a dream. She is a comfortable person to be around. She is so kind. She has insanely high expectations, but she also helps you reach them. She’s always providing support. If you’re someone who wants to charter a super yacht, you would hope to have someone like Lara as your chief stew because she will go above and beyond to make your experience perfect.
How quickly were you aware of the tension between Lara and Chef Tzarina?
Not quickly at all. I really didn’t know there was much tension. I was just focusing on work and Harry. The tension really became noticeable about midway through the charter season. It was heated between them. I remember thinking, “oh, I think there’s some unpacked baggage here.”
How did you deal with that?
I tried my best to stay out of it. However, when someone’s upset, I’ll always offer a listening ear. At the end of the day, they’re both adults and it’s between them. Though, I’m always going to be there for anyone on the crew who needs someone to talk with.
I know your fellow stew Marina Marcondes De Barros was eager to try her hand at service, but you didn’t seem quite as eager to go down to cabins/laundry. What did you think about Captain Jason’s insistence that Lara change things up?
I was glad to see Marina happy because I knew she was ready to go into service. I didn’t mind the switch up. I knew I wasn’t going to be as strong in housekeeping, especially because I hadn’t been there the first half of the season. I have much more experience in hospitality. Honestly, if you tell me to do something, I’m gonna do it. It might not be perfect, but I will try my best.
We’ve talked about the girls, and now I want to talk about the boy. You had the first big boatmance of the season with Harry! What drew you to him?
Definitely Harry’s personality. He just uplifted the crew. He was super positive. I wake up super happy and positive too. We have the same energy. He was also kind and respectful. He’s what you want when you’re looking for a long-term partner.
Did he do anything really sweet that we didn’t get to see on camera?
I think you guys got to see everything. I just loved his little Aussie-isms that he used and the “xx” he’d put at the end of text messages. I think that’s adorable. I loved that he called me “darling” too.
I think I saw a few tears in the midseason trailer. I assume you were crying because of Harry. Can you tease what we’ll see these remaining episodes?
I think you’re going to like what you see if you’re Team Harry and Bri. That’s all I can say!
Oh, good! What do you think about the other two boatmances that are brewing—the ones between Marina and Nicolas Cattelan and Nate Salmon and Alesia Harris?
Marina and Nic are so adorable. You just want to squeeze both their cheeks! They’re just such cuties. Alesia and Nate are both great people. It’s an interesting match. I didn’t see that one coming, but I dig it. They both have good energy.
Are you still in touch with your fellow yachties?
Yes, I’m in touch with everybody, and I’ve been so lucky to see them all outside of the show. Lara is one of my best friends.
Have you heard from anyone else in the Below Deck family now that you are a member?
Yes, everybody is so welcoming! I got such nice messages. Daisy [Kelliher] was great. Hannah [Ferrier]’s reached out. I saw Ben Willoughby in Australia. No matter what country I’m in, I feel like there’s someone from the Below Deck family there that’s like, “let’s grab a beer.” It’s a close-knit group.
It’s no secret that the ladies of The Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City are going to be on the next season of Below Deck Down Under. If you got to charter with any Housewives cast this season, who would you have picked and why?
The Real Housewives Of New Jersey. I went to Rutgers with Gia [Guidice]. So, bring me that Jersey energy. I need it!
Anything else you can tease about the rest of the season?
Things are going to heat up in all departments, and if you think you saw a storm last episode, there’s a bigger one coming.
New episodes of Below Deck Down Under air Monday nights at 8/7c on Bravo
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