Jeremy Hartwell, a contestant from the second season of Love is Blind is suing Netflix for breaching labor law. Here’s more on the lawsuit.
Love is Blind contestant sues Netflix
Jeremy Hartwell is alleging that producers were encouraging the cast to consume alcohol and limiting access to water and food in addition to underpaying them. In Love is Blind, contestants meet their dates but, cannot see each other. Instead, they have to converse through speakers. The candidates then couple up but, must get engaged before they can meet up face-to-face. Some couples on the show ended up marrying on-screen while others decide to break up.
In an interview with CNN, Hartwell told he was trying to fight the effects of sleep deprivation after filming for long hours under bright lights. He shared that he could not access water and food. However, alcohol was available and it was encouraged on an empty stomach. Additionally, he added that the cast’s luggage was searched as though they were on a “Bootcamp”. As per the lawsuit, they”regularly refused timely food and water. While on set severely restricting the availability of hydration opportunities. Even in the hotel living quarters, food was restricted to the point of severe hunger”.
More on the lawsuit
The lawsuit, obtained by People claims that contestants should have been treated as employees and not independent contractors under Californian law. This is because producers made all decisions on the nature of the cast’s work and hours. Hartwell’s lawsuit is seeking unpaid wages in addition to financial compensation. He is also claiming unspecified monetary damages for the unfair civil penalties for labor code violations and business practices followed. Love is Blind was nominated for an Emmy last week.
The lawsuit is filed in California Superior Court in Los Angeles and names Netflix and Kinetic Content, a production company as the defendants. Kinetic’s casting company Delirium TV is also mentioned as the defendant.
“While we will not speculate as to his motives for filing the lawsuit, there is absolutely no merit to Mr. Hartwell’s allegations, and we will vigorously defend against his claims,” stated Kinetic. According to the production company, he was on the show for less than one week since “he failed to develop a significant connection with any other participant”.