Former 'Below Deck' Star Sues NBCUniversal, Producers for $850 Million
Emile Kotze, a former cast member of the reality television series "Below Deck," has filed a federal lawsuit against NBCUniversal and the show's producers. Kotze alleges that producers misrepresented the show's nature and manipulated his portrayal on screen.
Lawsuit Details
Kotze is seeking $850 million in damages through the lawsuit, which was filed in New York. He claims he was hired for Season 3 of "Below Deck" in 2015, at the age of 23, as a professional yacht deckhand.
He states that he was initially told the show would be like a documentary. However, he found it to be a "salacious reality TV drama." Kotze alleges he was pressured into a fabricated romantic storyline with fellow castmate Raquel “Rocky” Dakota.
Furthermore, he claims producers encouraged heavy drinking and orchestrated sexually suggestive encounters and pranks.
Kotze asserts that footage was edited in a "highly misleading manner" to create a "false, defamatory portrayal," depicting him as "immature, incompetent, and sexually aggressive."
Alleged Consequences
Following the show's airing, Kotze states he was blacklisted from the yachting industry.
He also claims to have suffered severe psychological trauma, including diagnoses of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, which he links directly to his experience on the show.
Producers' Response
Producers of "Below Deck" are reportedly seeking to dismiss the lawsuit. They assert that their actions are protected under the First Amendment.