Article Title: Reality TV Star Reveals Traumatic Behind-the-Scenes Abuse on Love is Blind
Reality Show Star’s Shocking Allegations of Abuse and Illegal Practices on Netflix’s Popular ‘Love is Blind’
Netflix and Delirium TV Met with Explosive Claim of Faith Violation and Intentional Distress
The popular Netflix reality show Love is Blind, in which participants court each other while kept in individual pods, has seen explosive allegations of drugs, abuse and imprisonment made against it and its production company, Delirium TV. The allegations, made by former contestant Renee Poche, and her Hollywood lawyers Bryan Freedman and Mark Geragos, are the latest in a string of legal proceedings against the reality television industry.
Renee Poche’s Terrifying Experience on the Show
Renee Poche, a Texas veterinarian, was initially approached by a Love is Blind casting agent via Instagram in November of 2021. After a grueling interview process, she began the show’s fifth season in April 2022.
However, as soon as she arrived on set, Fish alleges an intense comprehension regime that kept her phone, passport and driver’s license out of her reach. Not only that, Renee claims she was initially prevented from leaving her hotel room without the presence of a staff chaperone.
Adding another layer of trauma to the experience, Poche says that she was forced to spend long periods with a fellow contestant whom she describes as abusive and addicted to drugs and alcohol. “My experience on Love is Blind was traumatic,” Poche said. “I felt like a prisoner and had no support when I let Delirium know that I didn’t feel safe.”
Is Reality TV an Exploitative Industry?
Renee Poche’s lawsuit falls under a much larger effort by Freedman and Geragos to take on the reality TV industry, which has been accused of exploitative tactics in the past. Bethenny Frankel, a reality TV star and workers’ rights activist, enlisted the lawyers in July in order to obtain workplace protections similar to those in scripted shows.
Freedman and Geragos are now representing hundreds of reality stars and crewmembers who are making claims of false imprisonment and sexual violence. “These so-called reality TV contracts are, in reality, illegal,” said Freedman. “They are designed for an illegal purpose and are void as a matter of law. We have hundreds of clients who are ready to assert their claims.”
Delirium’s Request for Private Arbitration and Legal Implications
Delirium has sought private arbitration against Poche for allegedly violating her non-disclosure agreement, and sought an immense $4 million from her after she only received $8,000 for her appearance on the show.
The lawsuit seeks to nullify her contract with the company and demur even greater implications for the industry, in which non-disclosure clauses are ruefully ubiquitous. Should Poche’s suit be successful, it could open up the reality TV market to numerous contract-related cases.
“Renee’s contract protects Delirium and Netflix from liability for future intentional misconduct and includes ruinous penalties in the millions of dollars for participants who dare to speak out about the unsafe working conditions on set,” said Freedman.
Netflix and Delirium TV have yet to publicly comment on the allegations.
