Natalya Scudder burst onto the Below Deck Mediterranean scene in season 7, bringing a whirlwind of charisma and controversy with an Australian accent. Now, after Below Deck Mediterranean season 8‘s cliffhanger, it’s time to talk about what happened to the deckhand. Known for her sharp wit and occasional clashes with fellow crew members, Natalya’s departure left a gap in the Below Deck series. In the aftermath of Natalya’s departure, the enigma surrounding her journey beyond the high seas can be explored.
After Below Deck Mediterranean season 8’s cliffhanger, Natalya’s life changed. She debuted in Below Deck Mediterranean season 7. As a seasoned yachtie, Natalya’s skillset, humor, and outspoken nature quickly made her a focal point of the show. After reality fame, according to her social media, Natalya enjoys life with friends and family and soaks up the sun.
Natalya Resigned After Fighting With Kyle
In Below Deck Mediterranean season 8, a feud between Natalya and Kyle erupted, which only intensified as the season progressed. Initially expressing enthusiasm about their working arrangement, Natalya began to have issues, revealing deep-seated animosity towards Kyle. During a confessional, Natalya disclosed a shift in dynamics, bemoaning the fact that their working relationship (and friendship) was no longer good. Natalya insinuated that Kyle’s lack of support and inappropriate jabs regarding her struggles fueled her discontent. Kyle’s behavior made Natalya furious, so she spoke with Captain Sandy Yawn, resigned from her post as Chief Stew, and packed her bags.
Natalya Made A Controversial Comeback
Natalya ruffled some feathers on the Bravo TV series finale – which aired on January 22, 2024 – as she unexpectedly returned to Genoa, Italy, to some of her coworkers’ disappointment. Departing abruptly from Mustique amid intense drama with her stew, Kyle, Natalya resurfaced unannounced during the group’s final outing in Italy. Only Bosun Luka Brunton and Chef Jack Luby were privy to Natalya’s intentions. However, when Kyle learned of Natalya’s impending arrival, emotions ran high, manifesting in tearful anxiety. Despite efforts by Chief Stew Tumi Mhlongo to soothe him, Natalya’s arrival provoked a mixed bag of reactions, signaling a tense reunion.
Natalya Lashed Out At Online Bullies
Natalya bravely confronted the distressing cyberbullying she endured, shedding light on her backstory while revisiting Below Deck Mediterranean season 8. Opening up on social media, Natalya discussed battling anxiety, depression, and online harassment following her departure from the show. Via an Instagram video, Natalya expressed the anguish of reliving these harrowing experiences during and after the series aired. While she didn’t get mad, Natalya stated that she wanted to reveal secrets and address editing discrepancies, but didn’t. Natalya captioned the video,
“I just want people to understand that everyone is going through something and that we are all on our own journeys.“
Natalya Said She Refuses To Work With Kyle
In a confessional discussing her experience on Below Deck Mediterranean season 8, Natalya opened up about her rocky relationship with her former crew member Kyle. Nat labeled Kyle a “horrible human being” and was reluctant to ever work with him again. Despite their turbulent dynamic on the show, Natalya and Kyle’s Instagram posts now suggest a reconciled friendship. There is newfound harmony because they’re following each other again. While Natalya and Kyle’s on-and-off comradeship may have hit rough waters during filming, the former friends may have apologized to one another off-camera, navigated their differences, and finally found smoother sailing post-season.
Natalya Said Leaving Her Position Was Bittersweet
Following a crew day out, Natalya felt compelled to leave the luxury boat, as she no longer enjoyed being there. Meeting Captain Sandy the next day, Natalya spoke about her decision, emphasizing her mental health. Captain Sandy lauded Natalya’s work ethic, acknowledging that she wasn’t replaceable.
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Despite wanting her to stay, Sandy respected Natalya’s choice, prioritizing her well-being. Natalya, though saddened, exited the boat. Reflecting on Natalya’s departure, Sandy supported Natalya’s decision, foreseeing challenges with the next charter. Natalya – proud of her tenure – bid farewell, cherishing friendships made but recognizing the need to move on.
Will Natalya Ever Return To Below Deck Med In The Future?
While it seems Natalya has moved on from her days as a yachtie, there is a possibility she could return to the show in the future. Natalya relies heavily on her online success for her career, so she could decide to return one day if she needs a popularity boost. Plus, now, with Kyle, her enemy during her last season, moving on from yachting as well, Natalya could decide to give the show another go. However, this seems unlikely as Natalya didn’t leave the show on the best terms. She left abruptly, leaving the crew to go on without her short-staffed.
Despite her leaving the show, Natalya is still somewhat of a fan favorite. She has over 100K followers on Instagram, and growing, Natalya has cemented herself as a popular Below Deck alum. It’s happened before where former Below Deck stars are away from the show for years and making a comeback. Joao Franco did that for Below Deck Down Under season 2, which aired in 2023, after appearing in Below Deck Med season 4 in 2019. It’s possible in the next four to five years, Natalya could make her comeback to the franchise.
Natalya has become very successful away from the show, so she might focus on her new career as an influencer. She has done well for herself, and going back to the Below Deck franchise could be a step down for her. However, never say never.
What Is Natalya Up To In 2025?
Natalya has been busy since leaving Below Deck Med season 8 behind. While it was bittersweet for her to leave a position she seemingly thrived in, Natalya is enjoying her life much more away from the yachting industry. According to some of her recent photos on her Instagram, Natalya is currently working as a model. As she has mentioned in the past, one of her consistent modeling gigs seems to be for Playboy. She shared a photo last year of herself with three other women on a boat with the Playboy Instagram account tagged. However, she hasn’t tagged the famous adult magazine since.
The former Below Deck Med star even has her agency linked in her Instagram bio. She works for Verge Agency, which includes other popular models and influencers as part of their roster, including Gigi Gorgeous, Austin Mahone, Gleb Savchenko, and many more. Natalya has gained a following of over 103K followers since being on the show, so she likely earns a good living now as a model and influencer.
It seems Natalya’s days as a stew are long behind her. Not only are there no rumors about her joining Below Deck Mediterranean season 10, but it seems Natalya is busy enjoying her life as a successful model. She went through a lot of turmoil during season 8, and it seems she would rather reap the rewards she received from appearing on TV than have to return to the yachting industry. So far, it seems Natalya is on the right track for her life.
Below Deck Mediterranean is available to stream on Peacock.
Sources: Bravo, WWHL/YouTube, Natalya Scudder/Instagram