Tumi Mhlongo was the chief steward on Below Deck Mediterranean season 8, her second season in the franchise, but what’s she up to today?
SUMMARY
- Tumi lives in NYC and enjoys low-key days indoors making cocktails.
- Tumi has been socializing with other Bravo stars post-Below Deck Med.
- Tumi’s return to the yachting industry, and potentially Below Deck Med, remains uncertain.
Tumi Mhlongo was the chief steward on Below Deck Mediterranean season 8, but what is she up to now? While Tumi was the chief stew on Below Deck Med, this wasn’t her first introduction to the Below Deck franchise. She first appeared in Below Deck Down Under season 1 as the second stew to Aesha Scott, the chief stew. Tumi clearly learned a lot from Aesha and was ready to take her career to the next level: becoming a chief stew herself. After a season in Australia as a second stew, Tumi finally entered her chief stew era on Below Deck Med.
However, Tumi’s leadership skills didn’t go over well with her team or fans watching at home. Natalya Scudder, Tumi’s third stew, didn’t love how her chief stew would often talk down to her or give her attitude, which the viewers noticed. While Tumi was simply trying to assert her role on the boat, it came off as mean and condescending, causing Natalya to disrespect Tumi. Both Natalya and Tumi were in the wrong, but at least Tumi saw her faults and did her best to make things right. Her first time as chief stew didn’t go as planned, but Tumi did her best.
Tumi Lives In New York City
Even though Tumi is from South Africa, the Below Deck star seems to live in New York City currently. While it’s unknown how long or when she moved to NYC, Tumi is definitely enjoying herself there. On March 23, Tumi shared on her Instagram page a video of herself in her NYC apartment making herself a cocktail.
Tumi made herself an espresso martini since NYC was too rainy and gloomy for her to go outside. She wrote in her caption, “Embracing the cozy vibes with my go-to Espresso Martini recipe on this rainy Saturday in NYC.” Tumi made the most of her low-key day in NYC by throwing back a delicious cocktail, something she couldn’t do every day on Below Deck Med.
Tumi’s Been Spending A Lot Of Time With Fellow Bravo Stars
Since joining the Below Deck franchise, Tumi has become acquainted with several other Below Deck stars and Bravo stars in general. Tumi appeared at BravoCon 2023 in Las Vegas, where she was not only on a panel with several of her Below Deck castmates, but she became friendly with them. She did a photo-op with her former Below Deck Down Under costars, Captain Jason Chambers and Aesha, and she was on a panel with Below Deck‘s Fraser Olender, Below Deck Sailing Yacht‘s Daisy Kelliher, and Alex Propson.
In February, Tumi was also seen hanging out with other Bravo stars who weren’t from the Below Deck franchise. She did a photo-op with The Real Housewives of New York City stars Erin Lichy and Ubah Hassan, as well as Jordan Emanuel from Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard. Tumi has been keeping busy since Below Deck Med season 8.
Tumi May Not Be Working In The Yachting Industry Anymore
Since Below Deck Med season 8 aired, it’s unclear whether or not Tumi still works in the yachting industry. There is no evidence on her social media that she is back working on boats; however, she could be keeping that secret until Below Deck Med season 9 airs. Tumi was starting her career as a chief stew, so she is likely just taking a break from the industry due to her newfound reality TV fame. However, if she is done for good, this could mean Tumi isn’t returning for Below Deck Med season 9.
Will Tumi Return To Below Deck Med?
There is a high possibility that Tumi will return to Below Deck Med next season. Even though she made a few mistakes during season 8, Tumi deserves another chance to prove herself. Below Deck Med needs a mainstay chief stew after the departure of Hannah Ferrier, and Tumi can and should be that person. While there has been zero confirmation on the cast of Below Deck Med season 9, Tumi could be making a return. Overall, Tumi was a great cast member on the show and should be considered for next season.
