Jeremy Hartwell, a contestant on the second season of the popular Netflix show, Love is Blind, is suing Netflix for multiple violations of labor laws.
The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing Netflix of “inhumane working conditions.”
Hartwell said there was an abundance of alcohol on set, but staff failed to provide enough food, water, or pay.
“It’s a matter of justice and it’s not about the money for me,” said Hartwell, per CNN. I strongly feel that these practices are wrong and they need to change. And the reason why I am making these efforts with this lawsuit is I’m hoping this becomes a catalyst for these changes, so that future reality TV cast members don’t have to go through this.”
The show classified contestants as independent contractors in order to avoid paying them overtime and minimum wage. The contestants worked 20 hours a day for 7 days a week but were only paid $1000. This means they only earned $7.14 per hour, less than half of Los Angeles’s $15 minimum wage.
Hartwell’s attorney Chantal Payton said staff withheld food to make “cast members hungry for social connections and altered their emotions and decision-making.”
Hartwell says wallets, IDs, passports, and cell phones were confiscated when arriving. Contestants were locked in their room for 24 hours, food, and water were scarce and given infrequently, though Hartwell says alcohol was freely available.
“The combination of sleep deprivation, isolation, lack of food, and an excess of alcohol all either required, enabled or encouraged by defendants contributed to inhumane working conditions and altered mental state for the cast,” the lawsuit read.
Kinetic Content said the lawsuit was baseless. “Mr. Hartwell’s involvement in Season 2 of ‘Love is Blind’ lasted less than one week,” a representative for the production company said. “Unfortunately, for Mr. Hartwell, his journey ended early after he failed to develop a significant connection with any other participant.”
The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing Netflix of “inhumane working conditions.”
Hartwell said there was an abundance of alcohol on set, but staff failed to provide enough food, water, or pay.
“It’s a matter of justice and it’s not about the money for me,” said Hartwell, per CNN. I strongly feel that these practices are wrong and they need to change. And the reason why I am making these efforts with this lawsuit is I’m hoping this becomes a catalyst for these changes, so that future reality TV cast members don’t have to go through this.”
The show classified contestants as independent contractors in order to avoid paying them overtime and minimum wage. The contestants worked 20 hours a day for 7 days a week but were only paid $1000. This means they only earned $7.14 per hour, less than half of Los Angeles’s $15 minimum wage.
Hartwell’s attorney Chantal Payton said staff withheld food to make “cast members hungry for social connections and altered their emotions and decision-making.”
Hartwell says wallets, IDs, passports, and cell phones were confiscated when arriving. Contestants were locked in their room for 24 hours, food, and water were scarce and given infrequently, though Hartwell says alcohol was freely available.
“The combination of sleep deprivation, isolation, lack of food, and an excess of alcohol all either required, enabled or encouraged by defendants contributed to inhumane working conditions and altered mental state for the cast,” the lawsuit read.
Kinetic Content said the lawsuit was baseless. “Mr. Hartwell’s involvement in Season 2 of ‘Love is Blind’ lasted less than one week,” a representative for the production company said. “Unfortunately, for Mr. Hartwell, his journey ended early after he failed to develop a significant connection with any other participant.”
