Below Deck Cast Member Eddie Lucas Has Harsh Words About His Treatment At Bravo
If you're a fan of Bravo, chances are you've heard of or seen an episode of "Below Deck." The series, which takes place on numerous luxurious boats in the Caribbean, follows the diverse yacht crew of a select vessel as they navigate the array of colorful guests that arrive on vacation. However, alongside their yacht duties, the group also deals with their own personal drama relating to romantic flings, disagreements, and work seniority. Even though the roster has changed over the course of its nine seasons, a handful of crew members have made a lasting impact on the franchise and its viewers. One of the most polarizing cast members of the series is Eddie Lucas, who appeared in a total of five seasons.
Throughout his time on the show, Lucas has had his fair share of drama. In Season 3, the reality star openly cheated on his girlfriend with third stew Rocky Dakota, which he admitted was wrong in a 2020 interview with Vulture. "I screwed up season three. And it was appalling, my actions. I was thinking with the wrong head," he told the publication. Lucas also faced backlash for how he handled the racism scandal of Season 9 involving Heather Chase, who said the N-word in front of the only Black crew member, Rayna Lindsey.
With Season 10 of "Below Deck" officially confirmed, Lucas gave an update on if he would be participating in the forthcoming season with Captain Lee and company.
Eddie Lucas wasn't asked back for Below Deck Season 10
Shortly after the Season 9 reunion of "Below Deck" aired, Bravo revealed that Season 10 was officially on the way. However, in a recent interview with the New York Post, Eddie Lucas revealed that he won't be taking part in the forthcoming season. "I was not invited back to do another season," he revealed. "I actually didn't even get a phone call from them saying they hired someone else — which kind of goes to show what the production entails. Everyone on 'Below Deck' is expendable."
Alongside the jaw-dropping news of his departure, Lucas also offered insight into his low pay while on the show. "'Below Deck' — regardless of it being the most popular show on Bravo — we are the lowest-paid cast members," he said. He then added that the cast gets paid more than the "normal yachties," but it's lower than what ladies of the "Real Housewives" franchise bring in. "Which is a little frustrating because they're not really working — they're just going to dinner and fighting," he explained.
Lucas' recent comments come a few months after he called out Bravo producers for their handling of Heather Chase's racial comments in Season 9. During the aforementioned season, Chase said the N-word in front of the only Black crew member, Rayna Lindsey. "You know, the whole thing, that whole deal was just really poorly handled on so many levels, especially the top of it, which is production," he said in an interview with Showbiz Cheatsheet.