Peter “Pete” Hunziker, initially introduced as a deckhand in season 5 of Below Deck Mediterranean, quickly became a controversial figure before his abrupt departure from the show. While some viewers might recall Pete for his perceived arrogance and disrespectful behavior towards women on board, the real reason for his exit was a resurfaced racist social media post that led to his immediate firing. This article dives into what happened to Pete on Below Deck, exploring his journey on the show, the incident that triggered his firing, and what he has been up to since leaving the reality TV spotlight.
From the beginning of season 5, Pete’s interactions on the superyacht were marked by problematic behavior. As lead deckhand, he often displayed a sense of superiority, particularly towards Bosun Malia White. Despite Malia being his superior in rank, Pete frequently addressed her as “sweetheart,” a patronizing term that undermined her authority and showcased his disrespect for the chain of command. This condescending attitude didn’t sit well with Malia, who eventually demoted him to a regular deckhand, replacing him with the more amicable Alex Radcliffe, who quickly became a fan favorite.
Beyond his issues with Malia, Pete’s behavior extended to other female crew members. He made unwelcome advances towards Bugsy Drake, who was then the Second Stew and later became Chief Stew. Despite Bugsy’s clear lack of interest and discomfort, Pete persisted in his flirtatious pursuit, creating an uncomfortable environment. Interestingly, Lara Flumiani, another stew who had a brief and tumultuous stint on the yacht, seemed to be the only woman who initially got along with Pete. However, after the season concluded, Jessica More, another stew from season 5, developed a closer relationship with Pete, even following each other on Instagram. Despite these connections, Pete’s overall demeanor on the show was already raising eyebrows, and the resurfacing of a racist social media post proved to be the final straw.
The incident that led to Pete’s firing occurred mid-season while Below Deck Mediterranean season 5 was airing. In June 2020, an old, deeply offensive Instagram post from Pete’s account resurfaced online. The post was widely condemned as both racist and misogynistic, sparking immediate outrage among viewers and prompting a swift response from Bravo and 51 Minds, the production company behind the Below Deck franchise. Facing public backlash and recognizing the severity of the post, Bravo and 51 Minds took decisive action. They promptly fired Pete Hunziker and released a public statement on Instagram to address the situation. The statement read, “Peter Hunziker of ‘Below Deck Mediterranean’ has been terminated for his racist post. Bravo and 51 Minds are editing the show to minimize his appearance on subsequent episodes.”
The announcement of Pete’s firing was met with widespread approval from Below Deck fans, many of whom felt his on-screen behavior already warranted consequences. However, questions arose about Pete’s continued presence in the episodes that had already been produced and were airing. It became clear that while Bravo couldn’t retroactively remove him from already aired episodes, they took measures to significantly reduce his screen time in the remaining episodes of season 5. Moving forward, Pete was noticeably absent from the rest of the season, effectively erasing him from the narrative as much as possible post-production.
Approximately six weeks after his firing and the initial uproar, Pete issued a public apology via his Instagram account. In his statement, shared by People, Pete explained that he had reposted a meme on social media without fully considering its implications. He stated, “A little over 3 months ago someone sent me a meme on social media and I thoughtlessly reposted it […] I now realize how painful the imagery and symbolism is and, upon deeper consideration, I realize that the implicit bias that exists in the brief text written in the meme is offensive.” Pete went on to express remorse for the hurt and offense caused by his actions, claiming to be a supporter of equal rights and opportunities for all.
Despite his apology, Pete’s career with the Below Deck franchise came to an end. He was not invited to the season 5 reunion, further signaling his permanent separation from the show and the network. While some might argue for forgiveness and second chances, bringing Pete back to Below Deck would have been a controversial move for Bravo, potentially alienating a significant portion of their audience.
Since his departure from Below Deck Mediterranean, Pete has maintained a relatively low profile but has remained active on social media, particularly on Instagram. While he has returned to public life to some extent, he appears to be consciously avoiding the intense spotlight of reality television. Post-Below Deck, Pete reportedly resumed working on boats in Florida and prioritized spending time with his family and friends.
In 2023, Pete disclosed that he was facing health challenges, mentioning issues related to his spine or back. While he hasn’t provided extensive details about his condition, his former Below Deck Med co-star Jessica More publicly offered supportive messages on his Instagram posts, wishing him well. As of 2024, Pete continues to update his Instagram account and has been sharing more about his life, including spending quality time with his son. He has mentioned in past posts about the difficulties of balancing yachting with fatherhood, suggesting that his current job allows him to be more present in his son’s life. Interestingly, Pete’s Instagram bio mentions “Body by PeteHunz,” hinting at a personal training venture, and his Linktree also leads to an OnlyFans page, indicating alternative income streams since his reality TV career ended.
Looking ahead, the prospect of Pete Hunziker returning to the Below Deck franchise seems highly improbable. Even if Bravo were to consider it, the negative public reaction to his past actions and the potential damage to the show’s reputation make it a risky proposition. Moreover, it’s plausible that Pete himself might not be interested in returning to the demanding and often scrutinized world of reality TV, especially given his health concerns and newfound priorities, such as spending time with his son. For Pete, moving on from Below Deck appears to be the most likely and perhaps the most beneficial path forward. He has seemingly taken steps to learn from his mistakes and is now focused on building a different life outside of the reality television bubble.
Below Deck Mediterranean remains available for streaming on Peacock for those interested in revisiting season 5 and the events that unfolded.
Sources: Bravo/Instagram, People, Peter Hunziker/ Instagram
