Daisy Kelliher Sets Sail Into New Waters: Growth, Grit, and Chaos on Below Deck Down Under
- luiz4791
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Known to fans for her sharp wit, steady leadership, and no-nonsense approach on deck, Daisy Kelliher is stepping into a bold new chapter of her yachting journey. The fan-favorite chief stew, best known for her standout run on Below Deck Sailing Yacht, now brings her experience and unmistakable personality to Below Deck Down Under, trading familiar waters for a bigger yacht, a new captain, and an entirely fresh crew.
Photography by: Sarah Krick.
The new season of Below Deck Down Under premieres on Monday, February 9, at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo, with episodes available to stream the following day on Peacock. Below, Daisy opens up to Miami Living about growth, pressure, leadership, and what viewers can expect when the lines are cast once again.
Miami Living (ML): What are you most excited about this new season of Below Deck Down Under?
Daisy Kelliher: This season is going to be great; it’s a super fast season with so many strong personalities. There are a lot of dynamics that are constantly changing. I think people are definitely going to be excited to see mine and Ben’s dynamic and see how I handle that situation. I think, from a personal view, I am excited for people to see me on a new yacht, with a new captain and a whole new crew. For four seasons they saw me on Sailing, and I think the viewers think I may not cope on Down Under. I was definitely given some challenges this season, and I’m excited to see if the viewers agree with my decision-making or if they think I did a terrible job!
ML: And, without giving much away, what sets this new season apart from what viewers have seen before?
Daisy Kelliher: I think the viewers are going to see a lot of personal development from Ben, a side they may not have seen before. I think from a managerial perspective they are going to see a stronger Daisy. I think the last time viewers saw me on Sailing I was emotionally worn out and was crumbling, so they are definitely going to see a more evolved Daisy.
I think overall I like to describe this season as Sailing meets Down Under, so you’re going to see some great service coupled with chaos, confrontation, tears, arguments, and a lot of love.
ML: Below Deck Down Under promises a new experience in a bigger boat for you. What was the most challenging aspect of it, especially when compared to your experience in Below Deck Sailing Yacht?
Daisy Kelliher: I was really nervous coming on to Down Under. I got quite comfortable, maybe even complacent, on Sailing, and coming onto Down Under felt like doing my first season all over again. I was nervous about the boat, the size of it, and what condition it was going to be in. I was nervous about working with Jason — I had met him before and we got on really well, but would that translate into a good working relationship? I was nervous about the crew, and I think I was mainly worried that maybe I just wasn’t cut out to be a chief stew anymore. So I felt a lot of pressure going into this season. I think ultimately it was good pressure, and I felt I had something to prove — to Jason, the audience, and mainly myself.
Photography by: Sarah Krick.
ML: You’re in a leadership role on the show. How does that connect to who you are in real life?
Daisy Kelliher: I think my personality definitely leans more alpha, which has led me to be in a leadership role. I am quite a confident person who is loud and dominant, and my dad has always said I was a great delegator — but I think that was just his polite way of saying I was bossy! I was always encouraged to be a leader and feel I fall into the role very naturally. Even though it’s a lot of pressure and I don’t always get it right, I do love being in a leadership role and feel my dominant persona allows me to be successful in that position.
ML: Can you tell us about some of the behind-the-scenes challenges or situations you faced while making the new season? Anything that might surprise us?
Daisy Kelliher: I think the biggest challenge was provisioning. Canouan is very remote and exclusive. I have always filmed in Europe, so if we needed something it was relatively easy to get. In Canouan, we did not have that luxury! So making sure we had everything the guests required or expected was a challenge and was often quite stressful. It definitely added to the pressure of the season.
Photography by: Sarah Krick.
ML: Your years of personal and professional yachting clearly prepared you for Below Deck Down Under, but is there anything about the realities of life at sea that viewers don’t always see on screen?
Daisy Kelliher: It is really tough being so far removed from friends and family and missing big milestones. Life goes on without you, so sometimes when you come back you can feel a bit displaced. It’s like when you are out yachting you are missing out on the real world, and when you come back you expect to fit back in where you left off, but that isn’t always the case. That can definitely be a challenge that not everyone sees.
ML: As your audience continues to grow, how do you balance staying authentic with the expectations that come with being a more recognizable public figure?
Daisy Kelliher: I think my personality is too strong for me to be anything but myself! I am also very lucky to have friends who keep me grounded and call me out. I think it’s so important to keep people like that in your life who can be honest with you.
I feel so lucky to be experiencing everything that I am right now, but I am taking none of it for granted. I don’t know how long it’s going to last, and I am trying to enjoy every minute of it. I think this really helps me to stay grounded because I am constantly reminding myself how fortunate I am. This keeps me humble for sure. Being authentic is one of my top priorities. I’ve always been a person you love or hate — I’m not for everyone, and I’m okay with that because the ones that love me truly love me for me, and that feeling is very special and helps me stay genuine.
ML: Miami is a global hub for yachting and hospitality. Has the city played any role in your personal or professional journey, and are there any memorable sailing experiences in Florida or the Caribbean you’d like to share?
Daisy Kelliher: I love Miami! It is such a vibe! The beach is so beautiful and clean — I really didn’t expect it — so warm and clear, just like you’re in the Caribbean. The food scene and nightlife are iconic too. I love how vibrant the city is and how much culture there is. It’s a very cool city and one I love going back to.
I have spent some time earlier in my yachting career in Palm Beach and always loved going back there. Every time I heard we were going back to Florida I got excited because I was guaranteed to have a good time!
I have done several seasons in the Caribbean and it’s just so beautiful. I lived in Antigua for two years when I was younger, so going back to the Caribbean always feels like a home away from home.
Photography by: Sarah Krick.
ML: What part of sailing best reflects who you are as a person: the teamwork, the unpredictability, or the freedom?
Daisy Kelliher: I think all of it! I love being part of a team. I am a very social person, so I love working alongside people. I also love seeing what we can achieve as a team and that group dynamic of problem-solving together, and then getting to celebrate together!
I love keeping things unpredictable. I definitely don’t do well when things get too complacent. I love change, and I feel that is always where I am at my best. As my sister says, change is as good as a holiday. Not to sound cliché, but I love to go where the wind takes me, and that’s exactly what sailing is about!
The adventure and freedom are also amazing. I love being outside, and I love, love, love the ocean. There is something so special about being at sea on long passages, where the only light is coming from the stars and there’s nothing around you — you are merely a dot in the ocean. It’s such an incredible feeling and really puts everything in perspective. I feel very privileged to be able to experience this, and I feel like these moments really help to keep me grounded.
ML: When you take time away from both sailing and filming, how do you like to spend your downtime?
Daisy Kelliher: I love to just chill out at home in my apartment. I don’t get to do it too often and seem so busy at the moment, so I really love going back and decompressing — watching TV, going to the gym, and spending time with friends!