A reality TV lawsuit was recently filed in California Superior Court against Netflix, Kinetic Content, and Delirium TV (“Defendants”), the producers of the hit reality series Love Is Blind. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of all reality show contestants who participated in the show within the past four years, as well as others involved in similar reality television productions.
The complaint alleges that Defendants failed to pay contestants legally required wages and subjected them to “inhumane working conditions.” According to the filing, Defendants intentionally misclassified cast members as independent contractors to avoid paying minimum wage, overtime, and providing other labor protections guaranteed under California law. The lawsuit asserts that the production exerted “excessive control” over contestants’ schedules, movements, and communications, amounting to complete domination over their time and working environment.
The reality TV lawsuit further claims that Defendants restricted contestants’ ability to contact the outside world and imposed unsafe working conditions while maintaining strict control over their conduct during filming. The complaint seeks damages for unpaid wages, penalties, and other relief available under California’s labor laws.
In addition to wage and hour violations, the lawsuit alleges that Defendants required contestants to sign non-disclosure agreements that threaten severe financial penalties up to nearly $100,000 for speaking out about their experiences. The case follows earlier claims made by another former cast member who alleged emotional distress and labor law violations, further highlighting the growing scrutiny of labor practices within the reality television industry.
Both lawsuits are part of a broader push for accountability in reality TV, which has faced increasing criticism for exploitative working conditions and lack of labor protections for participants.
If you or someone you know has appeared on a reality TV show and experienced unfair pay or unsafe working conditions, call us at (212) 300-0375 for a free consultation to learn more about your rights.