'Below Deck': Pete calls boss Malia sweetheart, fans can't wait for her to 'dismantle the patriarchy'
'Below Deck Mediterranean' is back with Season 5, and it's looking good already. The Bravo show has gotten off to a controversial start but that's what any reality TV show would aim for. Leading from the front are Sandy Yawn, Malia White, and Hannah Ferrier who will be responsible for captaining the yacht (The Wellington), ensuring the deck is in shape, and keeping the yacht spick and span, respectively. While Sandy may not experience much trouble, Hannah and Malia have unique teams to manage. Especially Malia, who'll be working with three men in her team -- Pete Hunziker, Alex Radcliffe, and Robert Westergaard.
While she has requested that the boys treat her like one of them and reach out to her if there are issues, it seemed they didn't care much for her instructions. As the crew got down to readying the yacht for the first group of charter guests, Malia realized that she was being taken not so seriously, especially by Pete who wouldn't stop calling her "sweetheart" every now and then. As the bosun of the yacht, Malia could have easily called him out, asking him to maintain workplace decorum but she waited until her green-room interview to vent the frustration.
Fans cannot wait for Malia to shutdown the unnecessary sexism that is at play on the yacht. Some are downright disgusted that Pete would even try to attempt something so "typical." "Can’t wait to watch malia dismantle the patriarchy and their micro aggressions toward female leaders this season #BelowDeckMed #BelowDeck," a fan commented, while another shared: "And where does the show find these nimrods who think they’re on a dating show 1986? #BelowDeckMed." A user wrote, "Pete constantly calling Malia “sweetheart” is so fucking typical. Hope Malia puts him in his place! #BelowDeckMed."
"I'm so happy that @hannahferrier_and @CaptSandyYawn are back on my tv screen. So excited for this season. Already annoyed by the condescension and sexism towards bosun Malia. 3 powerful women in charge. #powerfulwomen #letsdoit #belowdeckmed," another tweeted. "Im waiting for malia to set this guy straight with his sweetheart BS.#BelowDeckMed," a viewer wrote.
Catch all the new episodes of 'Below Deck Sailing Yacht' on Bravo every Monday.