Laura Denies Acting Inappropriately Towards Adam Before Getting Fired on Below Deck Down Under
Laura Bileskalne defends herself against allegations of inappropriate conduct with Adam Kodra on 'Below Deck Down Under,' sharing her perspective on their interactions in Season 2
Laura Bileskalne, Adam Kodra. Bravo (2)
Laura Bileskalne discussed her departure from Below Deck Down Under, attributing it to her interactions with Adam Kodra. On the "Miss Understood" podcast episode aired on Monday, November 6, Laura expressed regret over her approach towards her male colleagues on board, especially after watching season 2.
"They cannot fully expose all the flaws attributed to me. I am unable to affirm that. I witnessed it," she stated in reference to her numerous attempts to pursue Adam. "I had to consider my approach, as I did not want to appear excessively forceful, and promptly apologized to Adam."
On the contrary, Laura asserted that she and Adam were mutually interested in each other.
She claimed that the show also exaggerated the situation, implying that he approached her with the same level of interest. Although not in the same manner, he showed a similar amount of interest. On two occasions, she approached him to inquire if she was overwhelming him, giving him the chance to express any concerns. However, he was always considerate and polite, potentially not wanting to upset her.
In August, the Below Deck spinoff garnered attention when Captain Jason Chambers fired Luke Jones for entering Margot Sisson's bed naked during a power outage on the boat. Producers intervened after Luke made advances towards Margot, leaving him visibly upset. He was temporarily relocated to a hotel before being officially dismissed the following morning.
Laura found herself in a difficult situation when she stood up for Luke, causing her co-star Aesha Scott to inform Jason about the inappropriate behavior of the second stewardess towards Adam. The captain then confirmed with Adam that Laura's actions made him uncomfortable, ultimately resulting in her dismissal.
As Laura looked back on the incidents of season 2, she began to doubt the validity of Adam's remarks, as their friendship supposedly continued even after she left the boat.
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She insisted that "[The confessional] was not during the show. That was after [the consent incident] was already a thing, and they required his input on it." She added, "Adam and I never had any issues and we talked after the show. I apologized for how it appeared and he reassured me, saying 'Don't worry about it.' We're on good terms. Though we don't communicate much, he did accept my apology. I gained valuable lessons from that experience."
Laura proceeded to provide her perspective on the incident involving her being asked to leave Adam's room. This incident coincided with the night when Luke entered Margot's cabin without permission. According to Laura, she engaged in a conversation with Adam in the hot tub regarding his back pain, and he consented to her giving him a massage.
"We both entered his cabin willingly. It was not a situation where someone entered without permission," she asserted. "However, I did not end up giving him the massage."
Laura explained that she had planned to give Adam a massage in his room but was interrupted by events on the boat. She mentioned that while she was in his cabin, she was asked to return to her own cabin. In the footage captured, it was evident that Laura and Adam were in his room when the producers intervened. Despite the interruption, Laura insisted that she was permitted to be there and expressed regret that it happened precisely when she was in the cabin and Adam desired a massage, which she chose not to provide.
Adam, on the other hand, has not addressed his interactions with Laura since the show was broadcasted. In a sincere conversation with Jason prior to Laura's departure, Adam admitted that he did not always welcome her advances.
"Adam is uncomfortable with certain moments between the two of you and he has expressed his desire to establish boundaries," Jason informed Laura. "Despite my repeated discussions with the crew regarding boundaries and respect, did you not approach Margot and express your disappointment that Luke did not witness your encounter? You have blatantly disregarded the very intentions I sought to establish."
Adam recently took to social media to express his thoughts on his Below Deck journey. In a heartfelt Instagram post in September, he revealed his disbelief at all that had transpired. Working alongside some of the most exceptional individuals in the world was an incredible opportunity he never saw coming. Initially, he found it hard to trust the kindness shown to him, considering his typical Brooklyn mindset. However, he soon realized that this experience would be one of the most memorable moments of his life. Venturing into a completely different realm of the maritime industry was a jolting revelation, but he was fortunate to have incredible mentors who guided him and helped him grow. Admittedly, he acknowledges that he may not have always been the easiest person to work with. Nonetheless, through constant humility and lessons in checking his ego, he has come to understand that personal growth stems from such experiences.
He expressed his gratitude to the producers, captain, crew, and all those involved in bringing the show to life behind the scenes. He wanted them to understand the immense appreciation he and others had for their contributions. He acknowledged that this was an unforgettable experience for him.
