Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: Netflix
Anish Vij
A Love Is Blind contestant is suing Netflix over alleged 'inhumane working conditions'.
Jeremy Hartwell, who features in season two of the show, claims that producers encouraged the cast to drink alcohol on empty stomachs.
The star also alleges that the cast of workers were also deprived of water and food, all while being allegedly underpaid.
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Production company, Kinetic Content, strongly denies the claims.
The lawsuit was filed in California Superior Court in Los Angeles.
Hartwell told CNN: "It’s a matter of justice and it’s not about the money for me.
"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."
Speaking about his first experience on the show – which sees contestants meet their dates while conversing solely through speakers – he added: "They had told us they were going to take our cell phones, so that was expected, but taking our wallets, our passports, any identifying information, that was very unexpected.
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"They went through all of our baggage - if you've ever seen a military movie, a boot camp, where they just go through the recruit's baggage, but that's exactly what it was like.
"They went through every single one of our personal belongings, presumably to make sure we didn't have some sort of contraband."
Hartwell’s attorney Chantal Payton also claimed that 'cast members hungry for social connections and altered their emotions and decision-making'.
“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.
In response to Hartwell's complaint, Kinetic Content and Delirium TV wrote: "Mr. Hartwell's involvement in Season 2 of Love is Blind lasted less than one week.
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"Unfortunately, for Mr. Hartwell, his journey ended early after he failed to develop a significant connection with any other participant.
"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."
LADbible has contacted Netflix and Kinetic Content for further comment.