Peter “Pete” Hunziker was a sailor on Below Deck Mediterranean Season 5, but was immediately cut from the show after a racist post resurfaced online. Anyone who watched the season may remember Peter as a bit of a misogynist, as he always believed he was the best on the deck team, as he was the lead sailor. The bosun at the time, Malia White, quickly noticed Peter’s disrespect and immediately demoted him from leader to regular deckhand, replacing him with the fan favorite. Below Deck Mid cast member Alex Radcliffe.
Before Peter was dropped by Bravo, he made some inappropriate comments to the women on board. He constantly referred to Malia as a “dear“which she didn’t like, seeing as she was the boss and he was below her in terms of yacht rankings. Peter was also creepy towards Second Stew who became Chief Steward Bugsy Drake by hitting on her uncomfortably. He wouldn’t give up despite Bugsy being discouraged by him From the start, Peter was problematic, and the racist post was just the nail in the coffin.
Peter’s Journey Below Deck Season 5
He wasn’t liked from the start
Peter was new to the franchise when he arrived as a sailor in Below Deck Mid season 5. At first, Peter got along well with most of his crew, especially sailor Alex. The two became fast friends and, side note, are still friends as of November 2024. Despite their close friendship with Alex on board, Peter often butted heads with Bosun Malia. He always irritated her by the way he spoke to her in a patronizing manner, so much so that she deported Peter from lead sailor to regular sailor; she had Alex replace him.
Malia isn’t the only woman who has had issues with Peter. Bugsy also didn’t like the way Peter spoke to her. He often flirted with Bugsy, although she showed no interest in him. Lara Flumiani, a stew on board who didn’t last more than a few episodes, was the only woman on board who seemed to actually like Peter.. However, Jessica More, another stew, became close to Peter after the show finished filming. They have even been following each other on Instagram since November 2024.
As if Peter wasn’t problematic enough, his racist post was the nail in the coffin. Although he was not fired from the show during filming, he was fired mid-season while it was on air. It’s shocking that this post was necessary for him to be fired, as he was already showing worrying behavior on screen. However, after more than four years, Peter left his time as Below Deck Mid star.
Peter Was Fired By Bravo From Below Deck Med For Racist Post
He was fired while the show was on air
In June 2020, while Below Deck Mid season 5 was on air, Peter was fired by Bravo and 51 Mindsthe producer that produces Below Deck, after a racist and misogynistic post on his Instagram account resurfaced. Soon after the image surfaced and began to be discussed online, Bravo took action by immediately firing Peter and posting an Instagram explaining why. “‘Below Deck Mediterranean’ Peter Hunziker was fired for his racist post. Bravo and 51 Minds are editing the show to minimize his appearance in subsequent episodes,” the Bravo account wrote at the time.
While the comments section was filled with fans happy to see Peter get the firing he deserved for posting something inappropriate, many were wondering why he was still being shown in episodes. It’s likely these episodes had already aired and Bravo couldn’t do much about them at the time. However, moving forward Below Deck Mid 5th season, Peter was no longer shown in the season.
Peter apologized for the racist post
He took responsibility
About six weeks after Peter’s post resurfaced and he was fired Below Deck Mid, he issued an apology on his Instagram account. Pedro wrote (via People), “Just over 3 months ago someone sent me a meme on social media and I forwarded it without thinking […] I now realize how hurtful 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.” He continued to say he was deeply sorry for anyone he hurt or offended and that he “has always fully supported equal rights and opportunities for ALL people.”
Although Peter apologized for his mistakes, he was never present. Below Deck Mid or the Below Deck franchise in general. It was great that Peter saw where he went wrong, but having him back would have been a bad look online. Peter wasn’t even invited to the Below Deck Mid season 5 reunion.
What has Peter been doing since appearing on Below Deck Med?
Peter has been through some ups and downs
Since I was fired from Below Deck Mid 5th season, Peter is back in the public eye, but remains low profile. He has an Instagram account that he has been updating more since his controversial dismissal. After filming the show, Peter continued to work on boats in Florida and apparently spent more time with family and friends.
However, in 2023, Peter revealed he was experiencing some health issues. Although Peter didn’t go into depth about what his health problem is, it has something to do with his spine or back region. Even Jessica More, his ex- Below Deck Mid season 5 co-star, sent her sweet messages in several of her Instagram posts, wishing her good luck.
Even in 2024, Peter has continued to be consistent with updating his Instagram accountt. At the end of 2023, Peter started posting a lot more with his sonwhich he mentioned in Below Deck Mid season 5. He continued to spend more time with him in 2024. Peter mentioned in a recent Instagram post that he hadn’t been able to see his son as much before, likely due to his yachting career. Now that Peter has a job closer to his son, he sees him much more often.
Peter also has a new job since appearing on Below Deck Mid. He currently makes a living driving boats and has Body by PeteHunz in his Instagram bioprobably a personal training program. However, Peter also has a Linktree in his bio which links to his OnlyFans page from where he also makes a living.
Will Peter ever return to the franchise?
He will probably never return
As for Peter’s career in Below Deck franchise, that’s probably gone for good. After his racist post four years ago, it would be ugly for Bravo to bring him back at any time. Below Deck series. Even though Peter seems to have learned his lesson and become a better person for it, viewers wouldn’t want to see him on the show again.
However, Even if Peter was called back, he would definitely turn down the opportunity. Peter has gone through some health issues since appearing on the show and it appears he’s still dealing with them. More, Peter has a great job and gets to see his son more often. That’s all he ever wanted, and he wouldn’t want to give that up for a role on a reality show.
Although Peter has been through a lot following his post-racist controversy in Below Deck Mediterraneanhe apparently got over his mistake. Even though Peter deserved to be fired, he clearly wants to put the past behind him and focus on improving. This doesn’t mean a return to the franchise, as Peter will likely never return to reality television again.
Sources: Bravo/Instagram, People, Peter Hunziker/ Instagram