Barbie Pascual's Insight on Cat Baugh's 'Below Deck' Journey: A Mismatch for Her

Cat Baugh from Below Deck admitted that she had doubts about choosing to work on the St. David. Her fellow stew, Barbie Pascual, shared the same sentiment. Barbie expressed her opinion exclusively to We on Thursday, February 29, after wrapping up filming for season 11 with Cat. She believes that this line of work may not be the right fit for Cat.

Barbie observed that Cat may have needed more experience before joining a large vessel. She mentioned, "I think yachting might be more suitable for her on small yachts or potentially mega yachts. She could work her way up there one day, but this current environment is not the right fit for her. That's okay. It can be overwhelming."

During an earlier part of the season, Cat confided in chief steward Fraser Olender about feeling overwhelmed when she was tasked with assisting the entire interior team. Although she eventually found her rhythm, the lack of defined ranks among the stews made Cat question her role on the boat.

"It was like an umbrella that covered everything for her. Barbie mentioned that the pressure of being on St. David was unlike any other boat. She emphasized that the pressure was immense, requiring long hours of work that may not be suitable for everyone. Barbie expressed understanding and admiration for her because she acknowledged that it was truly a challenging experience."

Below Deck Barbie Pascual Thinks Cat Baugh Shouldnt Have Signed Up for the Show

Barbie Pascual, Cat Baugh Charles Sykes/Bravo; Fred Jagueneau/Bravo

During season 11, viewers witnessed Barbie and Cat clashing, with Fraser caught in between. Barbie believed she had more leadership experience, while Cat's efforts to voice her opinions led to arguments. Fraser tried to help mediate, but it only strained his working relationship with Barbie.

While chatting with us, Barbie mentioned some changes she would have made in her conversations with Cat.

She expressed, "I realize now that I should have shown more compassion. At that time, I was focused on completing tasks efficiently. Additionally, I wasn't aware of her background because she never shared it with me directly. Instead, she confided in Fraser, which prevented me from offering my support and understanding."

Cat had shared with Fraser about the "trauma" she went through during her time in a religious cult.

In a February episode, she revealed, "I was in foster care. My dad died when I was nine from Multiple Sclerosis. Then my mom passed away when I was 13 in her sleep, suddenly and unexpectedly. So my brother and I were placed in the system and separated."

Cat was later adopted by a family who didn't want her to have any contact with her brother.

"The family I used to live with, I don't keep in touch with them because they were like a cult. We were in the same state, but they wouldn't even allow me to talk to my brother because he didn't share their religious beliefs. The religion they followed was so extreme that they wouldn't even let me communicate with my own biological brother."

Cat decided to reestablish a connection with her sibling as she grew older. Despite facing opposition from her family, she made the choice to prioritize her relationship with her biological brother. Upon turning 18, Cat decided to prioritize her own happiness and independence, leading to a close bond with her brother, who is now her best friend.

In a confessional, Cat reflected on how her upbringing shaped her strong work ethic.

Growing up with a lot of trauma can make you feel very insecure about yourself. The foster family I was with did things that made me feel like I was not perfect. I always felt like I had to be perfect, so how people perceive my work ethic is extremely important to me. I don't want to be seen as weak, and it often causes me a lot of anxiety.

Below Deck season 11 airs on Bravo Mondays at 9 p.m. ET. New episodes will stream the next day on Peacock.

Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the challenges faced by Cat Baugh during her time on "Below Deck." Barbie Pascual, her fellow stew, expresses concerns about Cat's suitability for working on a large vessel, highlighting the overwhelming nature of the environment. Cat's own admission of feeling overwhelmed and questioning her role on the boat, despite eventually finding her rhythm, reveals the emotional toll that can accompany working in such a demanding field.

Barbie's reflections on her own interactions with Cat emphasize the importance of compassion and understanding in the workplace. Her realization that she could have shown more support to Cat, who had confided in Fraser about her traumatic past, highlights the need for open communication and a willingness to listen to and empathize with others.