Home / Arts and Entertainment / Below Deck Star Sues for $850M Over Harassment
Below Deck Star Sues for $850M Over Harassment
5 Mar
Summary
- Former Below Deck star filed an $850 million lawsuit against NBCUniversal.
- Allegations include harassment, defamation, and coerced appearance.
- Lawsuit claims producers manufactured drama and harmed his career.
A former star of the reality series Below Deck, Emile Kotze, has initiated a significant legal battle, filing a $850 million federal lawsuit against NBCUniversal and the show's producers. Kotze alleges he was coerced into participating in Season 3 of the show in 2015 under the guise of a documentary project, only to find himself embroiled in a reality TV drama.
The lawsuit asserts that producers subjected Kotze to sexual harassment, defamation, and workplace discrimination, while allegedly profiting immensely from the series. He claims producers fabricated storylines, such as a fake romance with a castmate, and staged incidents to increase drama and ratings.
Kotze further contends that the resulting footage was edited misleadingly, portraying him as immature and sexually aggressive, which he states led to him being blacklisted from the yachting industry. The suit also details the severe emotional toll, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
NBCUniversal has denied the allegations, arguing that many claims are time-barred and lack sufficient evidence. The network asserts that the lawsuit improperly seeks to restrict their First Amendment rights regarding creative decisions. A judge denied a motion to dismiss the case on January 3, 2026.
