Kelley Johnson – Below Deck

By starrymag | September 16, 2014

Q) It was touched on a bit during the show, but what got you into yachting?

A) I was pushed by my sister to get into yachting. She gave me the push when I was having bad luck getting into the charter fishing industry. I would say the push was on the the best thing to ever happen to me.

Q) How did you become involved with Below Deck originally?

A) Again, it was all my sister! She was already a cast member on the show. They asked if anyone knew a good deckhand and she recommended me for the position. The rest is all history and I was lucky enough to work with her for six weeks!

Q) Were there certain parts of your life that you deemed off limits to the cameras?

A) There was so much I deemed off limits for the camera, but that didn’t work out so well. I really was trying to lay low and stay out of the cameras way. Or at least that was my goal. But in the end, the stress and my emotions got the best of me and a lot comes out that I didn’t want to. But you will just have to keep watching to see it all!

Q) How has your relationship with your sister, Amy, changed since sharing time together on the Ohana?

A) We have grown so close since working on Ohana together. I am so glad I got this opportunity to work and spend time with her. It gave us a chance to regrow what we had lost from time apart!

Q) We saw you connect romantically with Jennice. What is it about her that drew the two of you together?

A) There are so many things that drew me close to Jennice, but that’s something that is very personal to me! Some you will see on the show and I may talk about it, but I like to keep my love life a secret. No kissing and telling, even if it’s just about what drew me to her!

Q) Do you feel the close quarters (sharing a room and working together) heightened your feelings?

A) No, I don’t think close quarters heightened my feelings, but it does let block out a lot of “grey noise” you have in your normal life on land. You really get to know someone much quicker in close quarters and you get to see a lot about that person in a short amount of time. So, it allows you to learn to like or dislike a person really quick  – or in Jennice and I’s case lets you fall for each other quickly.

Q) Many fans were a bit concerned about the kiss you shared with Jennice because both of you had shared you were in relationships. Why did you choose to act on your feelings?

A) Life is too short not to act. I have let too many things slip past and I decided this was one thing I was not going to let slip past.

Q) We saw some of the charter guests sort of cross a line with you inviting you down the slide. What is your policy on guest interaction?

A) I like to stay away from the guests, basically at all costs. I get everything set up on deck and then hide to the best of my ability. Most guests don’t make too many requests like that, but it does happen. It has happened before this charter and it will happen again. You just have to handle it the best way possible.

Q) In this week’s episode, the crew reunites with former stew Adrienne Gang. What was your first impression of her?

A) She seemed nice, but I had not seen her on the first season. I really don’t judge anyone on first impression, but Eddie [Lucas] did not seem happy so I was definitely on edge!

Q) There was a lot of controversy with Andrew this season and the two of you often butted heads. What went through your mind when you found out he had exaggerated his resume?

A) I was not happy, just like the rest of the crew. It was shocking and I don’t think he understood the risk he put everyone through. He seriously could have gotten someone hurt or killed, but no one is perfect and you just got to push through it and support the Captain’s decision.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming?

A) There are so many I can’t even start to tell you them. All I can say is that I will never forget those six weeks. I grew so much from that tim, and made some really good friends that I will have for the rest of my life.

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you enjoying the instant fan feedback you have begun receiving when the episodes air?

A) It’s definitely been an adjustment that I have still not completely adjusted to! The positive feedback we have received has been overwhelming and I am so thankful for all the loving fans we have.

Q) What do you think it is about Below Deck that has made it a fan favorite show?

A) I think it’s a fan favorite because its real. Period. The end. We work in a really stressful job and the amount of drama that happens without cameras is high, add the cameras and it makes a great show. At least that’s my two cents!

 

Below Deck airs Tuesdays at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo