EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Daisy Kelliher

The Bravo Star Who Conqueredthe Seas

Conducted by Guillaume Jean Lefebvre

1.Daisy, you’ve become an international fan favorite on Below Deck Sailing Yacht. How has being part of such a popular franchise shaped your career and personal growth?

It has completely changed my career. I had been a yacht stewardess for 8 years before I started the franchise, and now for the past five years, I have found my career has been in media. I am a firm believer in change and not staying stagnant. I believe most people will have at least three different careers in their lives, so it wasn’t a huge surprise to me that I have a new career — I just never expected it to be in media! I have loved the evolution and learning so many skills; it’s been such a wild ride. As for my personal growth, I have learned so many skills that I will continue to carry with me throughout my life. It’s also shown me I have a lot to give, and to have the support and faith of a huge network (Bravo) in me is amazing. I mean, it’s the biggest compliment, so in times of doubt I try to reflect and remind myself that if Bravo and all the fans believe in me, I should believe in myself more.

2. Your leadership style on the yachts has been widely praised. How do you balance being a strong authority figure while maintaining close relationships with your crew?

I try to manage my team the way I like to be managed. We are there to get a job done, but we are also here to have fun, and I believe that in any job. We aren’t heart surgeons, and I think it’s important to remember that. I take pride in my job, but I recognize that if my team enjoys their job and has respect for me, ultimately we provide better service, so really it’s a win-win all around!

3.You recently completed a 5-day trek on Mont Blanc — what draws you to challenging adventures, and how do they influence your mindset both on and off screen?
I love pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and over the years I have realized this is when I am the best version of myself. I thrive in discomfort, even if it’s scary at first, so I try to do things out of my comfort zone when the opportunity arises. This is usually where I meet the best people, where I am happiest, and where I succeed the most — not to mention make the best memories.

4. Your social media presence has grown exponentially, with thousands of new followers in just a few weeks. How do you decide what parts of your life to share, and why is authenticity important to you?
I try to share as much as possible — the ups, the downs, and the struggles. I usually keep my relationships and family life relatively private and share the odd thing that I feel is important to let my followers in on, i.e., my sister’s accident or something like my breakup with Keith or Colin. While I navigate these circumstances, I keep them relatively private, but when I have more clarity, I tend to share. I don’t believe in showing a filtered version online — I think it’s unhealthy for my followers and isn’t fair. They have shown me support and loyalty, and I feel they deserve transparency in my life. I live an amazing life with great experiences and opportunities, so I do try to show my followers the negative sides without getting too heavy (I prefer to spread positivity). I share my struggles with dating, traveling, and my anxiety to show we are all in this together.

Known worldwide as the bold and charismatic chief stew on Below Deck Sailing Yacht, Daisy Kelliher has become one of Bravo’s most recognizable faces. With her sharp wit, authenticity, and unwavering professionalism, Daisy has transcended reality television to become a respected international personality — admired for her leadership, resilience, and relatable honesty.

Born into a family deeply connected to the sea — her grandfather was an Olympic sailor for Ireland — Daisy’s passion for yachting runs in her blood. Over the seasons, she has commanded crews with confidence and grace, providing unforgettable experiences for guests while navigating the often turbulent waters of luxury service and on-board drama. Her unfiltered nature and strong sense of self have made her a fan favorite, securing her place as one of the longest-standing figures in the Below Deck franchise.

Beyond the cameras, Daisy continues to inspire through her openness about personal topics, including her journey with egg freezing and fertility. Her willingness to share these experiences has resonated with thousands, offering an authentic glimpse into the life of a woman balancing ambition, adventure, and self-care in the public eye.
Recently returning from a five-day trek through Mont Blanc, Daisy embodies strength and curiosity both on and off the yacht. With her Instagram following growing rapidly — gaining over 4,000 new fans in just a few weeks — she continues to connect deeply with audiences around the world.

Now, Daisy is preparing to embark on an exciting new chapter. Teaming up with her longtime friend and world-traveling director Marc MacNamara, she’s set to unveil a confidential new project launching soon — one that promises to showcase a different side of her creative spirit. And that’s not all: Daisy is also confirmed to join Below Deck Down Under in early 2026 as chief stew on her largest superyacht yet, marking another milestone in her ever-evolving career.
Authentic, adventurous, and endlessly driven, Daisy Kelliher remains proof that true leadership shines brightest when it’s real — whether commanding a yacht, sharing her truth, or charting bold new waters.

INTERVIEW

5. You’ve openly shared your journey with egg freezing and fertility. How has this experience influenced your perspective on life and the advice you give to others facing similar challenges?

I think choosing to freeze my eggs made me realize two things. The first was that I took it for granted that I would meet someone, have the white picket fence, and the baby — that is not the reality. I have made choices in my life that didn’t lead to this, and sometimes you can’t have it all. This was something I never really thought about and kind of regret that. The second is that I really needed to sit with myself and reflect on what I wanted for my future, and ultimately, if it’s in my path, I would love a family. This was hard — to really sit there and think about what I wanted. I am somebody who tends to run away from hard decisions, hence going off to yachting, so this wasn’t easy for me. Advice I would give to other people is, no matter how scary it is, we do need to sometimes really look inwards and decide what we would like for our future. I think for many women, ignoring our fertility is easier than facing it. I would face it early on, see where you stand, and what your options are — essentially take control of it. We have so many options out there nowadays; it’s great, so take advantage of it, even if it’s easier to ignore it.

6. You’re now preparing to debut a new, confidential project with Marc MacNamara. Without revealing too much, what excites you most about this next chapter?

I am so excited to work with Marc! I can’t believe this is my next project. I never knew growing up that a job could be so fun, and I just feel so lucky. I am also super excited for my followers to see more of my personality and get to have a deeper look into how I think. Work Daisy is off the clock, and now it’s just pure fun, and that makes me so excited!

7. As one of the longest-standing cast members of the Below Deck universe, how do you reflect on your evolution since your first season, both as a professional and as a person?

God, I hope I have made evolution, but sometimes I’m not so sure! I think the two main things are:

1. I feel I am a better manager — I have become stronger. I think I originally was passive, and that eventually led to problems, so I have learned to back myself more.

2. None of this defines me. I have had to face some hard truths about myself and what people think of me. I am naturally a people pleaser and don’t really like when I am not liked. These were hard moments for me. I have since learned I am human — this is a blip in time, and no matter how bad it seems, people move on and forget. This has really helped me, and it’s something I hope to carry with me through all of my challenges for the rest of my life — it’s all going to be okay, even if at the time it doesn’t seem like it.
   

8. You’re about to join Below Deck Down Under as chief stew on the largest superyacht yet. What are you looking forward to most in this upcoming season?
I’m looking forward to the viewers seeing me interact with a whole new crew, including the captain. It’s going to be a really exciting season, and I’m excited for the viewers to see if I can overcome the challenges I face from BBDU — being my largest yacht to date, a whole new crew, and also being out of my comfort zone. The pressure was on!

9.Your story combines adventure, leadership, and personal openness. How do you hope your journey inspires your fans, especially women pursuing careers in unconventional industries?

I get a lot of messages from women saying that they struggle in the workplace, and seeing my vulnerability and strength has inspired them to be the same, which honestly has been one of the most amazing things to come out of the show. I originally did the show for some fun, but seeing how many women I have helped and inspired has just been the best thing that could have come from it — and one I never expected. I am no expert, but I always knew I had a voice and was never afraid to use it, which often got me in trouble. So to see it being used in a positive way is amazing and something I am sure my parents and teachers would be proud of. I hope women are inspired to stand up for themselves, believe in themselves, but strive to be kind while doing so!

10. Looking ahead, beyond your TV career and new projects, what personal goals or dreams are you most excited to pursue in the next few years?

I hope to be able to continue a career in media, whatever that looks like, and I hope to keep surprising myself. I would love to be able to keep engaging with my audience and keep the community strong and growing! Personal goals would be to possibly find some stability — I still haven’t quite managed that, even though I have been trying. I’m not the biggest goal-oriented person because, for me personally, it restricts me. I prefer to focus on saying yes and embracing opportunities as they come. The last five years have been a whirlwind, and I’m excited to see where the next five years bring me. I’m so excited for the podcast, and I have some eggs in the freezer — after that, YOLO is my motto!