The M/Y Mustique barely got off the dock before Elena “Ellie” Dubaich faced the fire on Below Deck Mediterranean Season 9. The second stew had a 25-hour work day during the first charter trying to satisfy demanding young influencers. After they asked for some late-night snacks, she attempted to wake Chef Jonathan “Jono” Shillingford. This didn’t sit right with Shillingford or Captain Sandy Yawn while Chief Stew Aesha Scott understood the circumstances behind the decision.
If that weren’t enough, the Slovenian has some drama brewing with newer stew Bri Muller. There are the makings of a love triangle with both having eyes for deckhand Joe Bradley. Here Dubaich opens up about her rough start and it’s only a sign of things to come.
You were on the show for a little bit in Season 7. What did you take from that experience?
Elena Dubaich: I was on the show for a couple of episodes, but the biggest impact it had on me was becoming comfortable with the production process. It gave me a sense of comfort going into this season knowing producers are fair with how they portray everybody. I felt comfortable being myself. I wanted to go back into this experience being my authentic self and that is what I did, for better or worse. I just wanted to be a real person and be real about how I feel and how I think about things, which will make me quite relatable in many situations that are about to unfold.
