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Reality TV Star Rights

Legal Representation for Reality TV Participants

From an outside perspective, reality television seems glamorous and exciting. With the tantalizing intrigue of a guaranteed path to financial success, many participants are left with unmet expectations, and even worse, workers' rights violations.

 

Many individuals who participate in reality TV shows don't realize that they have legal rights as workers in the state of California. Unfortunately, some network producers neglect those rights, leading to workers' rights violations that often go unnoticed.

Although some may not view the set of a reality TV show as a workplace, reality TV stars can and often do perform "work," and in doing so are entitled to many of the protection afforded by California labor laws. However, because employers often classify reality TV participants as "independent contractors" or "volunteers" when in reality these individuals are employees, many individuals are unaware of the rights they have.  At Payton Employment Law, PC, we strongly believe that all workplaces should be held accountable. This is why we take great pride in vigorously fighting for our clients whose rights have been violated.

If you experienced any of the following on the set of a reality TV show, don't hesitate to contact our office for a free evaluation of your case: unpaid wages (including unpaid overtime compensation), denial of interrupted breaks, independent contractor misclassification, unconscionable contract terms, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and other violations of the California Labor Code. The Firm also handles Class Actions and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) cases in which violations of the California Labor Code are widespread and affect multiple employees. 

Recent Reality TV Star Rights Cases

The Firm filed a class action lawsuit against production company, Kinetic Content, distributor, Netflix and casting company, Delirium TV, on behalf of its client Jeremy Hartwell alleging multiple labor law violations on the set of Love is Blind and other non-scripted shows produced by Kinetic for Netflix. The lawsuit alleges that Hartwell and other contestants were forced to work in inhumane conditions, were unlawfully underpaid wages, and misclassified as independent contractors. Read more.

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