We don’t know a lot about Mathew Shea yet, except that he’s anxiety-prone enough to shirk his responsibilities when over-whelmed. The Below Deck Mediterranean chef feigned a knee injury to get out of cooking for the first charter. And that’s just Mathew professionally, though when he sticks around long enough to prepare a meal, it’s fantastic. First impressions of him during the crew night out brought on a “creepy uncle” vibe for Third Stew Courtney Veale. Then there was that “throuple” comment.
So Mathew isn’t invoking the best first impressions in any sense of the word. But it’s early in the season. We don’t know what kind of man he is, but he is one to call out another one to step up to his responsibilities. It’s interesting how these yachties’ lives tend to intertwine.
Mathew voiced his opinion on the drama between former Below Deck Sailing Yacht couple Dani Soares and Jean-Luc Cerza Lanaux. Referring to the paternity of Dani’s daughter Lilly, Mathew quipped to Us Weekly, “man up if its yours. Come on, Daddy.”
Jean-Luc has gotten a lot of negative backlash since the BDSY Season 2 Reunion when Dani revealed that she believed him to be the father of her child. She claimed he had not cooperated with getting a paternity test. “Let’s put it this way. This baby was made during the season while we had cameras 24/7 with us and I only slept with one guy,” Dani explained during the Reunion. “He hasn’t supported me at all in any way. He thinks it is not his child and he doesn’t want to have anything to with it.”
For his part, Jean-Luc said he was indeed cooperative, and that he hoped he and Dani can “co-parent together.”
RELATED: Dani Soares Wishes Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux Filmed Below Deck Sailing Yacht Reunion With The Cast Instead Of Taping His Portion Separately
Dani noted that she “did not plan” her pregnancy, adding, “Obviously, I say during the whole season that I want to be a mom and have a family, but I wanted a family. That was my plan. That was my vision. I would not choose to move to a new country where I don’t know anybody and choose to have a child with a 24-year-old boy that I barely knew.”
So how did Mathew get involved in all this drama? Apparently he and Dani have become acquainted since he was cast for the show. She “reached out” to Mathew when he was announced as a crew member for Below Deck Mediterranean Season 6.
Mathew explained, “we’ve messaged a little bit. She said, ‘If you need anything, [I’m here]. She was really kind. Her, Rachel [Hargrove] and Alli [Dore], I’ve spoken to the three of them in private messages. It’s nice to hear from them.”
RELATED: Below Deck Star Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux Defends Himself For Not Getting Paternity Test
Fellow chef Rachel also abandoned her crew before returning for redemption. At least she left Captain Lee Rosbach and the entire Below Deck crew on Season 8 between charters. So who better to advise Mathew on what to expect?
After a rough start, Mathew seems to be taking his responsibilities in stride and building confidence. He told Us Weekly, “in the moment, it was the best thing I could have done for my mental health. I was in pain and having a full-blown panic attack, you now? And there were cameras in my face. It’s just a lot. It was all a lot.”
While Mathew’s luck is turning, will he be asked back for another season? Captains, chefs, and chief stews are the only cast with any longevity on the series. For her part, Dani said she doesn’t plan on returning “anytime soon.” Though she also added, “never say never.”
RELATED: Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux Wants To Know If He Fathered Dani Soares’ Baby; Below Deck Stars Slam Him For Not Taking Paternity Test
