Entertainment
Below Deck’s Heather apologises after using N-word during shocking Rayna scenes as viewers call for her to be fired
Heather Chase said she was ‘ignorant’ for using the N-word (Picture: Bravo)
Below Deck star Heather Chase has apologised for using the N-word during the latest episode of the Bravo reality series.
The chief stewardess, who is white, was heard repeating the racial slur after it was first used by Rayna Lindsey, a Black deckhand, during a crew night out in episode eight of season nine.
It took place when the two had finished a trip to the bathroom, and Rayna said in reference to Jake: ‘This n***a.’
Heather, who followed closely behind her, then repeated the comment.
Rayna laughed it off at the time but pulled the chief stew up on it when she rapped to a song with Jake in the crew mess.
‘You cannot say [N-word], you’re white as f**k. That’s cancel culture, you better be careful with certain words,’ Rayna informed her, believing Heather had repeated the slur for a second time.
Rayna was praised for handling the uncomfortable situation well (Picture: @raynalindsey, Instagram)
Heather appeared stunned and asked: ‘Did I say it? I didn’t think I said it, I’m sorry.’
Rayna graciously warned: ‘I like you but you gotta be careful. You know how people are. 2021 is… it’s not 2002 anymore. I still love you, I’m telling you just be careful.’
Heather replied: ‘I can respect that, thank you.’
However, viewers were shocked as Rayna voiced her frustrations about Heather to First Officer Eddie Lucas, but was brushed off. Instead, Rayna was criticised for her ‘attitude’ towards Jake who is her line manager.
Viewers took to social media in their droves to slam Bravo for appearing to not take action at the time of the incident, while questioning whether Captain Lee was made aware of it.
After the episode aired, Heather shared an apology to her Instagram page, and said: ‘I am sorry for the hurt my ignorance caused Rayna in tonight’s episode.
‘While I apologised to Rayna throughout the season, I cannot express enough how truly remorseful I am. Part of my responsibility as Chief Stewardess is to provide a welcoming, safe environment for the crew and I fell short.’
She added: ‘Over the past nine months since this episode was filmed, I have learned how my words and actions can affect others and I vow to do better in the future.’
Rayna addressed the shocking scenes during a Q&A in her Instagram stories, and told one follower: ‘Girl I tried so hard to not act a foo [sic]. I won’t give these people a reason to call me that angry Black woman. I refuse.’
She replied to another fan: ‘Thanks babe. I hope @bravotv learns from this and starts really diversifying their cast.’
In another comment, the TV star said: ‘It’s sad. BLM is more prevalent than ever. It’s time to shine a light on what’s going on. Hopefully I get my own show so I can educate the @bravotv community.’
Reacting to the scenes, one viewer tweeted: ‘So Hannah got fired for using prescribed medication but Heather says the N word on camera & @BravoTV does nothing?! Wtf.’
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Another questioned: ‘Below Deck med fired a deckhand for posting a racist meme once. why does Heather still have a job?’
‘Did Heather really get mad because she said the N word and she was upset because she called out on it? And now she’s the victim,’ another said in reference to Heather saying she was made to ‘feel bad’ after Rayna called her out.
It’s not known whether the incident will be fully addressed by the network or Captain Lee in the next episode.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to Bravo via Hayu for comment.
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