NLRB says contestants on ‘Love is Blind’ should be counted as employees

[KENNEDY FELTON]

A hit reality show is under fire for allegedly violating labor laws, prompting the National Labor Relations Board to step in and possibly bringing sweeping changes to the reality TV industry.

The NLRB filed a complaint against the show’s production companies, Kinetic Content and Delirium TV, this week. They’re accused of several labor violations, including unlawful confidentiality and noncompete clauses in cast member contracts.

The complaint also pushes to classify the show’s contestants as employees instead of independent contractors. A legal expert tells CNN this case could bring more transparency to an industry that has faced accusations of exploitation for years.

Several “Love is Blind” contestants have come forward in the past in lawsuits with complaints about the restrictions in their contracts.

In 2023, two contestants, Renee Poche and Nicholas Thompson, filed their own unfair labor practices charges with the NLRB.

Nicholas Thompson stated, “Employees have important legal protections and rights that contractors don’t have, like minimum wage, overtime, the right to speak freely about your working conditions, and the right to organize and form a union. All of this is prohibited in the ‘Love is Blind’ participants’ contracts.”

Reality TV stars are often paid stipends. Poche received $1,000 per week for her participation, but there are few standards because there isn’t a union to negotiate it.

Additionally, “Love is Blind” puts thirty singles in pods, where they can only talk through speakers and decide to propose without seeing each other face to face.

During Poche’s season, she claims the situation with her partner, who was unemployed and financially unstable, was distressing for her and she spoke out about it. Delirium TV initiated arbitration proceedings against her, accusing her of violating a nondisclosure agreement. The company sought $4 million.

Amid separate complaints last year, the show’s creator told People Magazine they simply document the independent choices of adults who volunteer to participate in the experiment. However, the NLRB argues that restrictive contract terms, like a $50,000 fine for leaving without “legitimate” reasons, are unlawful.

According to Deadline, Poche’s lawyer says, “Mark Geragos and I, along with our legal teams, have been working closely with the NLRB for over a year and are thrilled that this collaboration has resulted in a monumental filing that promises to change the reality TV industry forever.”

This move is just months away from the premiere of season 8 of “Love is Blind,” with new episodes launching February 14th.

Straight Arrow News reached out to Kinetic Content and Delirium TV for comment but has not received a response.