{"id":182095,"date":"2025-07-22T00:59:23","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T00:59:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/22\/below-deck-recap-hugo-ortega-recalls-leaving-jehovahs-witnesses-at-17\/"},"modified":"2025-07-22T00:59:23","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T00:59:23","slug":"below-deck-recap-hugo-ortega-recalls-leaving-jehovahs-witnesses-at-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/22\/below-deck-recap-hugo-ortega-recalls-leaving-jehovahs-witnesses-at-17\/","title":{"rendered":"Below Deck Recap: Hugo Ortega Recalls Leaving Jehovah’s Witnesses\u2019 at 17"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Below Deck<\/em><\/a>\u2019s Hugo Ortega<\/strong> recalled his complicated relationship with religion \u2014 and his family \u2014 after being a Jehovah\u2019s Witness.<\/p>\n

During the Monday, July 21, episode of the hit Bravo series, Hugo opened up about his childhood, sharing, \u201cI got into yachting probably like a lot of other people. I was traveling and getting away from the life I had before.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bosun revealed he \u201cgrew up as a Jehovah\u2019s Witness\u201d before leaving it behind.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t celebrate birthdays or Christmas. But I left when I was 17,\u201d he explained. \u201cMe leaving the religion is a huge point of conversation with my parents. I know for them there is a lot of guilt and they think they didn\u2019t instill things in me properly. It is a sore topic.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>‘Below Deck’ Franchise Stars That Dramatically Left Throughout the Years<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tNot always the perfect fit. Over the years, the Below Deck franchise has shocked viewers with dramatic exits, including firings and resignations. Mathew Shea set a record for Below Deck Mediterranean when he made several departures during season 6. The chef initially left the boat when he suffered a knee injury that required medical attention. [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Hugo continued: \u201cBut I don\u2019t think there is anything wasted. What would have been wasted if I had stayed in that life that I didn\u2019t like.\u201d<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t the first time a Below Deck<\/em> cast member discussed<\/a> their tense history with religion. Below Deck<\/em> stew Cat Baugh<\/strong> previously shared on an episode of the show about her \u201ctrauma\u201d from her time in a religious cult.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was in foster care. My dad passed away when I was 9 from Multiple sclerosis. And then my mom passed away when I was 13 just in her sleep. It was very sudden and no [they don\u2019t know what it was],\u201d she said in a February 2024 episode. \u201cSo me and my brother were thrown into the system and separated.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Cat, she was cared for by a controlling group of people, adding, \u201cThe family I lived with I don\u2019t talk to because they were like a cult religion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cat\u2019s foster family wouldn\u2019t allow her to remain in touch<\/a> with her brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were [in the same state]. But they wouldn\u2019t even let me talk to him because he wasn\u2019t religious,\u201d she continued. \u201cIt was that extreme of a religion that they wouldn\u2019t even let me speak to my own biological brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a confessional, Cat offered more details about her difficult home life, sharing, \u201cSo I grew up in Orange County, California, with a foster family in a place called Yorba Linda. From 13 to 18, I was a part of this family\u2019s culture and life and dynamic.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Below Deck’s Biggest Drama Through the Years<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tThe Below Deck franchise has had its fair share of chaos over the years, but there were some moments that stood out more. During season 7 of the Bravo show, chief stew Kate Chastain and bosun Ashton Pienaar had a scary confrontation when the latter was drunk after a night out. Ashton ended up punching [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

It wasn\u2019t until Cat turned 18 that she was able to take control<\/a> of her life.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I wanted to continue a relationship with my biological brother, they were like, \u2018No. We don\u2019t support that,’\u201d she continued. \u201cOnce I turned 18, I decided to choose my brother and choose my life. I decided to live for myself and that\u2019s when I became the most independent. Now me and my brother are so close. He\u2019s like my best friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

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