"Breaks my heart"— Below Deck Mediterranean fans react to news of Nathan's friend passing away from Cancer

Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 returned to screens this week with a brand new episode on Monday, September 2, 2024. During the segment, Nathan received bad news from a friend via text message.

The cast member found out that one of his friends passed away from cancer, but he didn't share the news with the group. However, once the cast went out drinking, his emotions came pouring out, and he opened up about his loss while talking to Aesha and Gael.

Fans of the show took to social media to react to the segment and supported Nathan through the difficult time. One person wrote on X:

"It breaks my heart that Nathan had a friend pass away and he still went out with the crew knowing he was hurting"

"Nathan losing one of his close friends to cancer but still powering through the charter is admirable," a fan commented.

"Nathan heartbroken and needing to talk to his mom after his friend died of f**king cancer," a tweet read.

Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 fans complimented Aesha and Joe for being there for Nathan.

"Heartbreaking that Nathan lost his friend to cancer!! Props to Aesha for comforting him as well!!" a person wrote.

"Aesha immediately comforting Gael when she was upset and then comforting Nathan after he opened up about losing his friend is so sweet. Aesha has such a pure heart," a fan commented.

"Joe comforting Nathan shows they have a strong bond with each other!!" a tweet read.

Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 fans further said:

"Can men stop thinking they’re not allowed to be sensitive? The fact that Nathan is over here saying he’s being too sensitive from losing his friend makes me so sad. Men are allowed to be sad and cry," a person wrote.

"Maybe Nathan's mom didn't want to tell him about his friend passing away while he was on charter so he would stay focused on work," a fan commented.

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Nathan opens up about loss and grief in Below Deck Mediterranean season 9

In the latest episode of Below Deck Mediterranean season 9, Nathan got drunk and told Aesha and Gael that his friend Tommy passed away the previous day. The female cast members were there for him and supported him as they returned to the yacht after a night of drinking.

As they reached, Nathan told the two he needed to talk to his mother. While Gael and Nathan were outside, the Below Deck Mediterranean chief stew told Joe about what had happened. She said he needed to "support" his friend.

Meanwhile, Nathan told Gael he didn't know why he was so "sensitive" and "so sad." Gael Bravo star assured him that he was allowed to be "sad." He confided in her and said he was "struggling to cope" with it, and Gael hugged him.

"My mom was going through tests for cancer recently. She's been cleared now, thankfully. I found out through my sister. My mum didn't tell me directly. Grief and things like this isn't something that we talk about," Nathan said.

The Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 star explained that he was doing what his mother and sister are used to doing. Nathan entered his bunker, and Joe asked him how he was doing.

"I'm sad. How does that happen?" he said.

Joe offered comfort to Nathan and later elaborated on the same in a confessional. He said that it must have been "so hard" for Nathan to deal with the situation. Joe said he couldn't imagine being in his shoes and wanted to let his friend know that he was there for him.

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Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 will air episode 15 next week on Bravo at 9 pm ET.