Below Deck Salaries Spark Controversy: The Cast Deserves Bigger Paycheck
Being one of Bravo's most successful reality television franchises, most would think Below Decks was a big earner for everyone involved.
However, a recent Reddit thread between fans has raised the question about the cast members' pay. Not only does the discussion suggest that they are paid significantly less than the cast of other popular Bravo series. But argues it is unjust for the cast to be paid less. Proposing the crew should earn a better representation of what they provide for the show. Interestingly not everyone in the thread sympathized with this perspective, and it started quite the disagreement.
The OP of the thread (under the r/belowdeck subreddit) argued that as the crew of superyachts, their base pay is surprisingly low. This is due to the expectation that their clientele who rent the yachts are wealthy enough to provide sizable tips to the crew and staff. They also get paid a small amount by Bravo for being part of the series and allowing themselves to be filmed.
However, some of the fans feel that compared to the earnings of other Bravo reality cast members from series franchises such as The Real House Wives, and Million Dollar Listings, there is an unfair disparity between the levels of pay.
Many agreed with the sentiment, but not everyone supported the idea that the cast needed to be paid just as well or more than any other reality star on Bravo's network. Some Redditors contended that unlike cast members from shows such as The Real House Wives, the crews of Below Deck are mostly not notable individuals themselves. Pointing out the draw to the show is the yachts themselves and what happens aboard, not necessarily the individuals who work upon them.
In another explanation, one Redditor describes a higher-paying cast member as someone that can "add value" to the series. If a cast member of a reality show can't prove that they bring something to the series, either because of their personality, background, or status, they don't deserve to demand a higher salary.
Of course, many other details were discussed, favoring both sides of the debate. Questions over the amount of additional effort the House Wives were expected to give, in comparison to life aboard a yacht.
Also, a sub-discussion about how the shows affect the cast's personal lives. Many agreed that the additional benefit of Below Deck meant that the cameras were kept away from their homes and lives while filming at sea. Whereas other reality stars, especially the ones who invite filming into their own home, do not get the luxury of such privacy; and therefore deserve to be adequately compensated.
Whether the cast of Below Deck deserves more money certainly seems to be a topic of much contention and no real answer. Below Deck has always remained one of Bravo's most popular outliers; and that seems the case even for its cast. Who are unlikely to earn the same big bucks as their partner shows any time soon.