Kate Chastain’s domestic violence incident with her ex-girlfriend Ro Hernandez shook the Below Deck universe in 2016. Kate’s polarizing behavior on the show led to criticism of her leadership skills and mean girl behavior among crew members. Despite her controversial past, Kate continues to be a strong personality, appearing in game shows like The Traitors seasons 1 & 2.
The infamous domestic violence incident between head steward Kate Chastain and her ex-girlfriend Ro Hernandez envelops the Below Deck universe. This in-depth reality show chronicles the lives of a mega-yacht’s crew members, first aired in 2013. Since then, Below Deck has become a franchise, with five other series under its belt. Among the memorable Valor crew members from Below Deck is former Chief Stewardess Kate. Fans of Below Deck seasons 4 and 5 might remember the news concerning Kate and her then-girlfriend, Ro. Kate was allegedly arrested in June 2016 for assaulting Ro.
Below Deck’s Kate is a polarizing character, prompting complaints regarding her constant eye rolls and mean girl behavior. She was criticized for making crew members cry or acting like a petty, controlling high school girl. Her leadership skills were also often called into question. However, none of her quirks as Chief Stewardess came close to matching her controversial arrest. As Below Deck’s empire grows, it’s time to revisit Kate’s controversies.
Kate was charged with domestic violence back in 2016. As per Radar, “Ms. Chastain went into a fit of rage and physically attacked Ms. Hernandez and tried to steal her phone […] [and Hernandez] […] was bitten on the forearm, inner bicep, and leg. She was also held down […] Ms. Hernandez also advised that she felt her airway close during the incident. [Hernandez also reported that Chastain] sat on top of her and lit a cigarette and continued to verbally abuse her [before] putting her knee on her head and pulling her hair.”
These events took place at the couple’s former Melbourne, Florida, home in the summer of 2016. Kate went on to appear in Below Deck after the incident. Kate officially left the franchise in February 2020, although she still makes appearances related to the show.
The altercation began when Kate tried kicking Ro out of their home and threatened to change the locks. When Ro refused to comply, Kate attacked, and shortly afterward, police were called to their home. After litigation, the charges were eventually dropped. Though Kate maintained her innocence, she and Ro parted ways following the incident.
“Fortunately, that’s all gone away, but I’m a little more cautious about who I date because people can appear one way and then be different.”
Two years later, in 2018, Kate opened up about the altercation and her relationship with Ro. In an interview with People, Kate talks about how the incident made her “value her privacy.” Kate even spoke about her return to the dating scene after this relationship. “Fortunately, that’s all gone away, but I’m a little more cautious about who I date because people can appear one way and then be totally different.”
Kate left Below Deck but recently grabbed headlines again with the birth of her son, Sullivan, in May 2023. Although it was suggested that Chef Ben Robinson was the father of Kate’s baby boy, Kate shut down paternity rumors shortly after Sullivan’s birth. She’s raising Sullivan as a single mother and hasn’t revealed the child’s paternity. Although the Below Deck star won’t be sailing the seas any time soon, she has new challenges to weather.
Kate continues to be a strong personality, appearing in game shows like The Traitors seasons 1 & 2. Despite her controversial past, Kate remains a significant figure in the reality TV world. Her journey from the Below Deck scandal to motherhood and her appearances on other reality shows demonstrate her resilience and ability to navigate through life’s challenges.
Source: Radar, People
