'Below Deck': Why did Rachel Hargrove slam the crew? Here's how Elizabeth Frankini's ouster was responsible

Elizabeth was fired because she had slept in the guest bedroom with James Hough but the crew went a step ahead and decided to celebrate her birthday
Elizabeth Frankini and Rachel Hargrove of 'Below Deck' (Bravo)
Elizabeth Frankini and Rachel Hargrove of 'Below Deck' (Bravo)

'Below Deck' Season 8 is coming to a premature end. A few months ago, when it was announced, we were told that this year the Bravo show will premiere with fewer episodes. Showrunners had to wrap up filming abruptly when the news of Covid-19 spreading worldwide poured in. Countries had begun to shut down borders. 

But the My Seanna crew was unaware of what they were heading towards or at least they didn't think the final two charters would have to be canceled. What does this mean for freshly-fired Elizabeth Frankini? We bet she's having the last laugh. 

RELATED ARTICLES

'Below Deck': Why was Elizabeth Frankini fired? Viewers say Francesca Rubi 'relished' letting her go

'Below Deck': Why did Elizabeth Frankini mix bleach with soap? Viewers want her fired for creating 'mustard gas'

Elizabeth Frankini, Francesca Rubi (Elizabeth/ Francesca/ Instagram)

Chief stewardess Francesca Rubi had been contemplating letting her go for a while but Captain Lee Rosbach wanted her to sleep on it because they'd be down a team member and have no backup for the remaining season. But then the situation spiraled out of control and she had to make the tough call. 

Elizabeth was in tears but Francesca's mind couldn't be changed. "I think every charter I’ve really had to work and I’m continually putting energy and checking up on you and we’ve had numerous chats about this, but sleeping in the guest cabin was sort of, like, the final straw for me,” Francesca said in last week's episode before she broke the news to Elizabeth.



 

Later that day, the team sat down for dinner and as per norm, tried having a good time when a server arrived with a cake. Although there was no name written on it, Francesca announced that it was Elizabeth's birthday cake. Eddie Lucas, James Hough, Isabelle 'Izzy' Wouters and Francesca enjoyed the joke and dived straight into the cake. 

But chef Rachel Hargrove had trouble understanding why the crew would indulge in something so rude. She left the dinner table while she abused and called them out on their behavior. She was not okay with them celebrating Elizabeth's birthday after she was gone and turning it into a joke. "I ordered the birthday cake and then canceled it but yet the shit gets showed up. It seems like Francesca is super stoked that Elizabeth is not there," Rachel shared in her confessional and added: "Oh, let's celebrate it. Like, that's fucked up."

Catch 'Below Deck' Season 8 finale on Bravo this week starting 9/8c. For more information, check your local listings.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘Chicago Med’ has two reunions lined up for Season 12 Episode 6, with returning characters tied to Charles and Frost’s past.
2026-11-07T16:55:28.000Z
Will Estes’ reunion with Donnie Wahlberg prompts talk about Jamie Reagan’s ‘Boston Blue’ future and a possible spinoff.
2026-11-07T15:44:34.000Z
'Campus Drivers' has taken over the world by storm days after its premiere
2026-11-07T11:01:02.000Z
Episode 2 sets Dexter and Charley up as a fake couple while they plan their first kill together
2026-11-07T08:59:35.000Z
The sequel arrives 19 years after the haunted hotel room film grossed $132 million worldwide
2026-11-07T07:35:40.000Z
'Sheriff Country' and 'Fire Country' crossover forces Mickey and Manny to work together
2026-11-07T06:52:03.000Z
The teaser names a Nevada town and an exact date in 1955, while production heads to New Mexico
2026-11-07T05:54:40.000Z
The sitcom takes over the Wednesday slot that ‘Scrubs’ leaves when its second season wraps
2026-11-07T05:16:08.000Z
‘Nobody Wants This’ gets Season 4 renewal just weeks after the latest season’s release
2026-11-07T04:24:15.000Z
‘High Potential’ Season 3 will return nearly 9 months after Season 2 finale with special Super Bowl episode
2026-11-07T03:49:27.000Z