Bravo’s popular reality show, ‘Below Deck Down Under,’ is the third spinoff of the ‘Below Deck‘ franchise. The show finally returned with the third season with Lara Rygby as the new Chief Stewardess on superyacht Katina in the beautiful backdrop of Seychelles. The journey of the Cornwall, UK, native has been nothing but interesting. Her arrival sparked a lot of curiosity among the show’s fans, who were eager to know how well she would handle her role. With her impartial and perfectionist characteristics, Lara did not need a lot of time to captivate and garner the attention of her crew and audience.
Lara Rigby’s Journey on the Show Was a Little Far From Smooth Sailing
From the very first episode, Lara’s leadership style had become a topic of focus among the viewers and her fellow crew members. She was enthusiastic and strict while managing her team and was not afraid to voice her thoughts and opinions loudly when required. Soon, challenges began to arise for her with the arrival of guests with different dietary preferences, which added tension to the meal preparation. During this time, Lara loudly voiced her concern about the organization in the galley, which led to a heated conversation between her and Chef Tzarina. The altercations between the chef and Lara got so bad that even Captain Jason had to intervene.
As far as her relationships with her team went, she had been very impartial while assigning them tasks. However, she was seen to be fostering a special bond with Brianna, noticing how she also mentioned that Bri was her “soul sister” in this season. Throughout the season, the viewers and her fellow crew onboard knew her as someone who wanted everything to be perfect. From commanding to keep the cutlery polished to ensuring the glassware was spotless, Lara was very particular with her requirements. Her journey on the show was no doubt evidence of how hard it can be to manage a team in such a high-pressure environment. Lara continued to handle these challenges and relationships with confidence and prioritizing by being herself.
The Chief Stewardess is Totally Focusing on Furthering Her Career
Lara has been in the yachting industry for 14 years and has held the position of Chief Stewardess for 6 years. Her professional life in the yachting industry is nothing short of inspiring. Her constant diligence and extensive experience have given her the expertise to manage her interior team. From what we know, she is highly social and loves to conduct party nights, theme nights, and cocktail competitions with her fellow crew members.
The secret behind her success in the said industry can be attributed to her meticulousness and strong work ethic. Alongside being the Chief Stew, Lara is also a very good artist. Her talents are evident in her social media videos, where she draws portraits of her rescue dog from Romania, whom she often refers to as her “wild child.” She also did not forget to mention how it was her first finished pet portrait using professional pencils and standard paper. In 2022, Lara had also participated in a bridal photoshoot in Barbuda.
Lara Rigby Shares a Deep Bond With Her Mother and Brother
The personal life of Lara Rigby has been shaped by both love and challenges. Her parents divorced when she was three years old, which impacted her upbringing. After the separation, her dad remarried and had three children, which made her feel more distant from him. According to Lara, her need to be perfect arose from the wish to impress her father. Despite this, she has always found the support of her mother. They share a deep bond, and Lara considers her mother her role model, hero, and best friend.
From what we know, in October 2024, Lara’s mother was halfway through her Cancer treatment and has been getting better since. Sharing an update about the same, she wrote: “Thank you to all who support her and keep her lifted on earth, and those angels who watch over her so closely in the sky. She is feeling more loved than ever before ♥️🤍” She is also in close touch with her big brother, which was evident since she attended his wedding and had nothing but lovely words and wishes for her sister-in-law.
Lara is Leading a Fulfilling Life Surrounded By Her Supportive Partner and Friends
Apart from her familial ties, Lara also has a boyfriend with whom she traveled to Amsterdam in September 2024. On a romantic dinner on a boat, the couple seemed to be in good spirits, smiling side by side with champagne in hand. She shared the adorable post with a caption that read: “Boats, Boyfriend, Bubbles, and Bitterballen.” For her birthday, Lara and the love of her life treated themselves to an avant-garde gastronomic experience at the Michelin-star Restaurant Bougainville in the Netherlands. Furthermore, the next month, Lara soaked the son with her partner on a beach in The Bahamas. With the glimpses at her flourishing romance with her boyfriend, we wish the couple nothing but happiness on their journey ahead.
Apart from the challenges and happy moments, Lara never shies away from displaying her interest in horse riding, which she refers to as her “happy place.” She loves to travel and enjoys her time of laughter and fun while on a vacation with Phoebe Smith — her best friend AKA “soul sister,” as well as her annual trip with her girl gang, which seems to get bigger each year. Her love for her profession has also stepped into her traveling since she can be seen traversing the bluest waters across Mallorca and Cap D’antibes.
The free-spirited personality has also traveled to France and Dubai, where her social spirit was at an all-time high. The Cornish lady has also been building a beautiful house for herself — the Crown Barn. With a life filled with passion and cherished connections, Lara continues sailing through her professional and personal life surrounded by the love of her family, friends and her cute and furry “wild child.”
Read More: Tzarina Mace-Ralph From Below Deck Down Under: All We Know About the Star
