Joe Bradley Addresses ‘Sheetgate,’ Season 11 Scandals & More

When Joe Bradley returned to Below Deck Mediterranean for Season 11, not everyone was happy. His former friend Nathan Gallagher had some hostility carried over for how he thought Bradley carried himself last year. These feelings bubbled to the surface right out of the gate during a crew night out. Gallagher confronted his deckhand about mentioning his girlfriend Gael Cameron. She didn’t quite get along with Bradley, who was categorized as a womanizer for the way he treated Victoria “V” SanJuan while messing around with Kizzi Kitchener. 

The 29-year-old came aboard the M/Y Akira One looking to stay out of the drama and concentrate on work this time around. Gallagher did promote him to Lead Deckhand, despite his misgivings. Bradley hadn’t totally ventured away from the boatmance waters, building a connection in recent episodes of the Bravo series with Second Stew Kayley Smith. However, he was merely a bystander while his colleague Luke Brumer got into his own love triangle with stew Gen Lillie and Chef Joy Lefaucheur. Brumer’s problems only seem to be getting worse as he left semen in his boss Nathan’s bed from a roll in the hay. 

With things starting to unravel, Bradley checked in to talk about what we’ve seen so far and “Sheetgate.” 

BELOW DECK MEDITERRANEAN — Pictured Joe Bradley — (Photo by: Fred Jagueneau/Bravo)

What did you make of Nathan initially not wanting to choose you as Lead Deckhand despite your experience? 

Joe Bradley: This is all new to me. I didn’t know that was going on the backburner. When I watched it back I was like, “That cheeky little rat.” That was out of spite and pure emotion. I was actually giggling to myself. I don’t want to blow my own trumpet, but I’ve worked really hard to get in the position I’m in now. Even contemplating putting Luke as Lead Deckhand knowing the lack of experience he has against me and that I’d worked for Captain Sandy [Yawn] two years prior. That was acting out of pure emotion. That’s not being a true leader. I didn’t respect that, but it was entertaining. 

Did you have any trepidation returning this season after the backlash you faced last year? 

I’m changing. I’m maturing in a lot of ways and focusing on my job. Like I said, I’m learning every single day. I’ve done my engineering course, yacht master, I’m in it to win it. What is my fault is the opposite sex. I’m learning. I just like to have fun, but I like to have too much of it. If I can just sit back and know what I’m doing, and know where my mistakes are, I think I can do a pretty good job. I’m learning my lesson now. I don’t want to hurt feelings anymore. The situation with Victoria is one of my biggest regrets in life. That’s not going to happen again. I can give you my honest word about that. 

Luke has put himself in a similar situation this season with his own love triangle. Does it give you more perspective looking from the outside in? 

I just want to get him by his collar and go, “Listen mate, where you’re going into, there is no way out. It’s not going to work out in your favor because I’ve lived it twice before.” I just want to get him and go, “Listen, just focus on your job,” But when you have your horn on, you just see black and see two people, which is the triangle. I just want to say it’s not going to work out in your favor, trust me. 

We witnessed you getting the news about your mom being diagnosed with breast cancer. How was it for you to have that captured and seeing everyone band together to support you? Not only Nathan, but even Captain Sandy, who went out of her way to reach out to a contact she knows to help. 

That was the toughest day of my whole entire life. I was ready to leave that boat right then and then. But my mom knows that with the life we live, we’ve got to work to provide. I’m working to provide for my mom, so if I were to leave that season it would put myself in financial difficulty. So I thought, “Okay, I’m going to finish the season. Or at least try to.” I got such help. I got moral support, every kind of support that I needed during that moment in time. Captain Sandy, even to this day, still checks in to ask how my mom is. It’s so refreshing to have people out there to help. In this life, I’m on my own and have to try to figure it out. Knowing that I’ve got such strong people behind me that has my back, it’s so reassuring. Nathan even said, “Bro, if you need anything.” Then he kind of went back on that during the night out, but that’s another topic. Even Kayley, she is even giving me hugs and asking about my mom. It’s lovely. I’ve got such good people around me. 

How is your mom doing today? 

In this present day, she is doing very well. 

BELOW DECK MEDITERRANEAN — Pictured: (l-r) Nathan Gallagher, Joe Bradley — (Photo by: Fred Jagueneau/Bravo)

That’s good to hear. Speaking of Kayley, how was it getting to know her this season? She had a similar mindset going in where she didn’t want anything serious.

Stepping on Akira One, I wanted to focus on my job. If the girl comes in and is on the same wavelength. I mean it. I’ve made some big mistakes in the past. If you have an inkling about wanting something serious, I’m not even going to look you in the eye. Then she says to me without me even saying anything that she didn’t want anything serious. My body started to tremble. I was like, “Wow, this is a gift.” I was like, “This was perfect.” I was going to become Lead Deckhand and then I have a girl who says she doesn’t want anything serious. She even looked me in the eye to say, “I don’t want anything serious. I hope you don’t get feelings.” I’m like, “Girl, you don’t even know who you’re talking to.” 

We’ve seen some fun charters already this season. One where you’re channeling your inner Game of Thrones character. What can you tell us about the ones coming up? 

The ones you’ve seen, put it this way, guests were out to have fun. They spend a lot of money. So they have high expectations, not only from command from Captain Sandy, but the chef who has to give you Michelin food. Then it’s down to service. You’ve got to be the seven-star service. Then we’re the fun factor. We’re the smile people. These guests expect this. Not only the ones who are bad, but the ones who are good. We’re in the Mediterranean. This is a high class environment. You have to be one hundred percent. If we’re having a bit of a battle among the crew, we’ve got to hide that emotion and focus on getting the job done. The guests that are coming honestly, well done to those who got them. These guests really wanted to be involved in a yacht. The level of expectation we provided. 

BELOW DECK MEDITERRANEAN — Season:11 — Pictured: Chef Joy Lefaucheur, Luke Brumer, Gen Lillie — (Photo by: Fred Jagueneau/Bravo)

What’s your take on “Sheetgate” where Luke left an unwanted little present for Nathan in his sheets. 

When I got the news, I couldn’t believe what was going inside my head. Like what? You find out how it filters through to Nathan. When I found out I was like, you what? Straight away, alarm bells were going on in my head because of hygiene issues. We signed certain parts of our contract that relates to hygiene. That’s my biggest worry. Bro, not only have you done your Bosun over, but you’ve gone against your contract. There could be a potential conversation with Captain Sandy, your Bosun. Just put the sheets in the washer, man! Or hide them! If that were me, they would be off the boat. I’d say to the interior, “Listen man, we’re missing some bedsheets here. I don’t know where they’ve gone.” 

Just dispose of the evidence. 

Dispose of the evidence! Even leave the boat with them. Luke navigated those waters every step of the way wasn’t the right step, God bless him. He could have done better. 

How is the OnlyFans business? 

It’s going day-by-day. I absolutely love it! You get to talk to different people every single day. I love chatting and getting to know people. As soon as you mention those two words, you automatically think of spread eagle or whatever. I just talk to people, and it’s lovely. 

Making some good money? 

You know it baby! 

What do you want to say to people about what’s to come this season? 

I will say this every single year, but I really do mean it. I was speaking to Aesha [Scott], and we thought it was the best season of Below Deck. Nobody gets off easy, not even Aesha. Everybody has a story, and we tell it very good. It’s drama, entertaining. We’ve only just started, and what a start. I know we made the finish line, but at that moment in time, I’m surprised I made the finish line. What happens on Akira One should stay on Akira One. Let’s put it that way. On a personal level, I’m just happy I can showcase my level of growth. I’m focusing on the job. Every day is a learning day for me. I’m a chase boat captain and learning every day and want to go further. I don‘t know how far I’m going this season, but it was going to be far. Like Captain Sandy, watch your back because I’m coming for you. You can show growth personal and professional.  I am young. I will not use that as an excuse. I love to have a bit of playdate. You see it with Kayley, but I’m trying to be better. 

Below Deck Mediterranean, Mondays, 8/7c, Bravo