In a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Below Deck star Fraser Olender opened up about his past working relationship with Captain Sandy Yawn. As fans of the show may recall, Fraser and Sandy had their fair share of ups and downs during season 10, leading to a tense dynamic on the yacht.
When asked to describe his former coworker, Fraser shared that while he learned a lot from Sandy, he also 'kind of got hurt in the making.' Despite this, he expressed his gratitude towards Captain Sandy for the lessons he took away from their time together.
The friction between Fraser and Sandy emerged when she fired stews Camille Lamb and Alissa Humber. Sandy placed the blame on Fraser for the issues in the interior department, calling him a 'cancer' affecting the crew. These words deeply affected Fraser, as he explained in a tearful call with his mother, citing his personal experience with his father's battle with cancer.
Sandy received backlash from viewers for her choice of words and later walked back her comments. She admitted that she should have chosen different words, acknowledging that her terminology was inappropriate and expressing regret for any hurt caused.
While she may have regretted her choice of words, Sandy stood by her assessment of Fraser as a leader. She believed that as the captain, it was her responsibility to address the problems and hold the team accountable for their actions.
Ultimately, Captain Lee Rosbach returned to finish out the season, but Fraser's experience with Sandy left a lasting impact. In the following season, Fraser worked alongside Captain Kerry Titheradge on Below Deck Adventure. He described his experience with both Kerry, Sandy, and Lee as challenging but ultimately character-building. Fraser acknowledged that he grew as a person throughout the season, despite the obstacles he faced with his crew.
As for his current relationship with Captain Sandy, Fraser clarified that they are on good terms. He recently saw her in London, and despite their past disagreements, they get along well. Fraser emphasized that the events discussed on the show happened two years ago, and the perception that there is still ongoing tension is inaccurate.
Fans of Below Deck can continue to follow Fraser's journey on the show, which airs on Bravo Mondays at 9 p.m. ET. As the series progresses, viewers can expect more drama and challenges, but Fraser's growth and resilience will undoubtedly shine through.
