Below Deck Med's Kyle Criticizes Max for Claiming LGBTQIA+ Identity
Below Deck Med's Kyle criticizes Max for inappropriate remarks and Natalya for defending them, creating tension on the show
Kyle Viljoen, Max Salvador Fred Jagueneau/Bravo(2)
In the latest episode of Below Deck Mediterranean, Max Salvador found himself in a controversial situation when he confessed to Kyle Viljoen that he identifies as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, even though he is straight. The crew had a wild night out and, while returning to the boat, Kyle and Max had a conversation about Max kissing a previous charter guest and the potential for a future relationship.
"I'm willing to wager all the tip money I've earned this season that you and Leni will never have a successful relationship," Kyle stated confidently to Max. Max accepted the bet by shaking Kyle's hand. "You're only 23, while she's a mature businesswoman."
Kyle, who is currently engaged to Dr. Zachary Riley, broached the subject of sexual orientation as he added, "Don't flaunt your heterosexual identity around here." Max clarified that he identifies as "LGBT plus S," prompting Kyle to inquire, "What does the 'S' stand for?"
Max's confirmation that he is "straight" led Kyle, who is gay, to dismiss the assumption that Max is part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
"You have your own category of 'straight.' You cannot identify yourself as part of the LGBT community, that's absolutely absurd," Kyle emphasized. "Instead, stand by your heterosexuality and demonstrate your support as an ally to us. That's all there is to it."
Max, in the midst of his drunken state and evidently disoriented by Kyle's remark, inquired, "Are you saying that I, being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, bothers you?"
Despite Max's question, Kyle stood firm in his initial response, asserting, "Straight individuals, including allies, are not encompassed by the LGBTQIA+ acronym. It is exclusive to our community. While I appreciate your support, I cannot accept you identifying as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community."
Max found that using the LGBTQIA+ label enabled him to become part of a supportive community, as he expressed to Kyle. However, Kyle disagreed and tensions escalated as he argued that Max did not belong in his community, stating, "You may accept me, but you cannot be a member of my community since you are not gay or bisexual."
Natalya Scudder aggravated the situation further by attempting to clarify Max's perspective. She inquired if Max had any interest in engaging in a threesome with both a man and a woman, erroneously assuming his consent as an indication of his identification as "bi-curious."
"In order to be a part of a community, one must embrace and accept all individuals within it," she remarked to Kyle in an attempt to defend herself. However, Kyle quickly counterattacked, asserting, "This doesn't concern you. Step back. It's about him, not you."
In the previous episode, Kyle began to doubt the authenticity of his friendship with Natalya. During the seventh season, they had a disagreement over their respective workloads, with Natalya feeling she was doing more than Kyle. Despite joining the Mustique to start anew, their efforts to rebuild their friendship quickly unraveled.
As Kyle observed the strained dynamics within the interior team, he couldn't help but wonder if Natalya was at the root of the problem. He highlighted Natalya's ongoing feud with chief stew Tumi Mhlongo and how she seemed to manipulate stew Jessika Asai into doubting Kyle's motives.
Natalya's support of Max's ignorant stance only exacerbated Kyle's frustration towards her.
"I will speak to you however I choose. You have no power over me. You will never have power over me," he declared to Natalya. "I don't require you to manipulate everyone's opinion. Sort out your own messed-up life before interfering with ours. She will betray you."
Natalya was deeply shocked by the insults, stating that she had never experienced such verbal abuse before. In contrast, Kyle seemed unfazed by his actions, bluntly declaring his indifference towards their friendship. He expressed his belief that their connection had always been fake and accused Natalya of being insincere and gossiping ever since they first met. Clearly, Kyle wanted nothing to do with her and wanted her to stay away.
Prior to the episode being broadcasted, Natalya opened up about her current relationship with Kyle following the intense season of Below Deck Med.
"He is the devil," she revealed exclusively to us on November 3rd at BravoCon in Las Vegas. "It's frustrating because he deliberately created a hostile situation for both Tumi and me, setting a negative tone for the season. However, Tumi and I have managed to overcome it and find common ground. We acknowledge that there was indeed one person who instigated the drama, but we have managed to resolve our differences."
Don't miss Below Deck Mediterranean airing on Bravo every Monday at 9 p.m. ET.
