Below Deck’s Aesha Scott reveals ‘challenging’ role as Chief Stew – but how she turned ‘passion’ into new career venture

BELOW Deck star Aesha Scott has added another field to her resume, in addition to her reality TV routes and yachting expertise, as she launched her new passion project.

The reality star exclusively spoke to The U.S. Sun about her new beverage brand, DROP, released on Friday, and its connection to her role as Chief Stew on the latest season of Below Deck: Mediterranean.

While Season 9 of Med has had fans glued to their television screens with returning cast member Captain Sandy Yawn, 59, trying to whip her somewhat experienced crew into shape, Aesha, 31, has been focusing on another big career move off of The Mystique.

During her interview with The U.S. Sun, Aesha admitted that her job on the vessel is even harder than it appears on TV, as she's struggled to keep her crew in line.

"I'm finding it a challenge being on a new boat, as someone that has been in the industry for nine years," Aesha said about her promotion as the head stewardess on the boat.

However, the role has prepared her exponentially to take charge of her new business venture as the owner of her alcoholic drink, DROP.

FINDING HER PASSION

The New Zealand native divulged how the brand came to fruition, though it almost was a completely different product.

"At the time, I was planning with some people in the States; we were in the process of working on a bikini line and activewear line, and there's a part of me that's just so not into it," the Bravo star confessed about the moment she was first approached about launching a drink brand last summer.

"Because I'm like, Oh my God, every f**king vanilla influencer does that s**t. It was something that I wasn't that passionate about," Aesha further said of the clothing lines.

Despite the encouragement from others to stick to the initial plan, Aesha was finally swayed in the other direction after being confronted by an Australian craft brewery, Moon Dog, to collaborate.

Moon Dog produces what soon became 8% alcoholic coconut water—the only type of this beverage currently on the market in Australia—and Aesha was immediately sold on being a part of it.

"They approached me and were like, 'Hey, have you ever been interested in creating your own drink?' And as soon as I read that, I was just like, 'Oh my god, yes, because I love it!'" the TV personality recalled.

"I love to sit in the sun with my friends, sip on something delicious, laugh, and have a good time. And as soon as I read that, it just stuck out to me so much more than bikinis and activewear because this was something that I felt like I could pursue and I would genuinely be passionate about," Aesha added.

The I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here alum gushed to The U.S. Sun about her creation with the brewery and what she felt separated herself from other celebrity brands.

"I didn't want to do like a seltzer or anything where there's already a billion of them. I wanted to do something kind of new," Aesha explained.

The socialite also touched on the high percentage of alcohol in each can, saying, "I wanted something where I could buy a four-pack, and all I need is a four-pack, and that will last me like the whole afternoon."

Although a drink brand isn't the move some fans expected from the Below Deck star, who rose to stardom after debuting on the franchise in 2021, it isn't too farfetched from her responsibilities at sea.

Aesha started as a third stew on Med before making her way up to chief and became the first chief stew on Below Deck Down Under, which premiered in March 2022.

"I've been a stewardess my whole career so far, making drinks for other people and serving drinks, and [my fiance] Scott as well. He's been a bartender. He's spent all of his 20s serving drinks. And so, it's just this awesome moment of, like, how cool if we got to serve people our very own creation?" Aesha said.

DROP LAUNCH

Aesha's dream came true over the weekend when she hosted a star-studded launch party for DROP at the Moon Dog in Abbotsford, Melbourne, Australia.

The event featured 350 guests, including multiple Aussie celebs, such as radio personality Woody Whitelaw, stand-up comedian Lizzie Hoo, actress Debrah Lawrence, and professional athlete Adam Cooney.

Photos from the bash showed Aesha's bubbly side that fans are familiar with, as they captured her smiling and laughing with her guests.

She also visited a local store that carries DROP and posed for a photo alongside a display of the beverage's two flavors: original and peach.

The brand is currently only available in Australia, but Aesha is already looking ahead and hopes to bring it to the United States soon.

"It's just something that I'm genuinely, really proud of. And I'm so passionate about it. And this is something that I want to go shout from the rooftops how amazing it is!" Aesha shared.