Two “Love Is Blind” alumni – Nick Thompson from season 2 and Jeremy Hartwell from season 1 – have both spoken out about the abuse they claim to have experienced on the set of the Netflix show.
The two created a foundation called the Unscripted Cast Advocacy Network (UCAN) to “provide mental health and legal support to past, current and future reality TV cast members.”
Shortly after the season 5 premiere, Nick took to Instagram to sign a petition demanding Netflix add a disclaimer before their reality shows to explain the “manipulation” he claims occurs when producers build a narrative around each couple.
‘Love Is Blind’ Alums Nick Thompson and Jeremy Hartwell Gather Nearly 20,000 Signatures Asking Netflix to Add Petition to Reality TV Show
Instagram | Nick Thompson
The duo’s MoveOn petition has more than 17,000 signatures as of Tuesday morning and is growing in popularity.
“Unscripted reality and television is often anything but,” they wrote in their appeal. “Join us in demanding that publishers add a mandatory disclaimer before and after each episode, emphasizing that episodes are for entertainment purposes only and content may be edited, manipulated and presented in any order for storyline purposes.”
They then detailed the importance of the petition, writing, “Over the past decade there has been an increase in reality and unscripted television due to low production costs and high profit margins. But behind the scenes, reality television producers and networks make millions while exploiting cast members and manipulating reality. And these tactics can distort people’s perspectives and have a negative impact on mental health—both for the audience and the cast members.”
Instagram | Nick Thompson
“It is important that people understand the truth behind reality television—that it is not an accurate representation of reality and instead often features forced reactions, confusing editing and contrived plots,” they continued. “In fact, many of these ‘unscripted’ shows are highly scripted, and the lack of transparency creates a distorted reality that can harm everyone involved.”
“It’s not just the producers who profit from this lie—streaming companies benefit from it as well,” they claim. “Netflix, for example, not only has a vast library of reality television but also produces original content. Demand that major streaming companies and reality television producers take accountability and prioritize public transparency.”
They concluded: “Require that all reality and unscripted television include a disclaimer: ‘Episodes are for entertainment purposes only, and their content may be edited, manipulated and presented in any order for storyline purposes.'”
Fans Show Support For Petition: ‘It’s About Time’
Instagram | Nick Thompson
Many fans supported the petition, with one fan writing, “It’s about time.” Other users provided a more detailed explanation of why they decided to sign the petition.
“People really don’t know that these ‘reality’ TV shows are edited to tell stories and the contestants are, sometimes, manipulated into their behavior. These people are usually unpaid, and the ‘reality’ they represent is not what you see. It is only fair to the public and participants to understand the true reality,” wrote Nancy B.
“The audience has the right to transparency and the cast members have the right not to have their appearance misrepresented by masking reality for the sake of entertainment. Actors at least have the right to agree or disagree with the content about them that is considered fact,” asserted Kymber B.
Instagram | Nick Thompson
“I personally know people who participate in reality tv productions. A business, as well as several individual lives, have been destroyed after participating in what the network advertises as one thing and what is actually ‘reality’ is skewed melodrama and does not reflect reality in any way,” Eileen A. commented.
“As someone who worked for years as a makeup artist and hairstylist, behind the scenes for various reality shows on MTV, CMT, E & Style Network, I 100 percent agree that everything is manufactured and the producers manipulate the cast members so they can look more attractive for the audience,” added Mary G.
Nick Thompson Explains Why The Petition Is So Important
In an Instagram video that has been viewed over 13,000 times, Nick discusses the importance of his petition. In the caption, he wrote, “We’ve partnered with MoveOn.org to launch a petition demanding Netflix and other reality TV producers add a disclaimer to every unscripted show stating; ‘Episodes are for entertainment purposes only, and their content may be edited, manipulated and presented in any order for storyline purposes.’”
“We all know these shows are largely produced through manipulation and deceptive editing tactics that expose cast members to dangerous public ridicule and mental health challenges,” he continued. “Let’s take steps to produce moral and ethical reality TV by reminding viewers that shows are for entertainment purposes only and what you see is not an accurate representation of reality.”
Instagram | Nick Thompson
“Please sign and share our petition to show your dedication to supporting cast members against defamatory edits,” he added. Many fans thanked her for her hard work and dedication to her cause, with one fan commenting, “Confused edit, so nice Nick!! I wish that was how it could be written into the contract, because cheating is synonymous with editing in the world of ‘reality’ TV! I continue to admire the hard work and dedication you put into this cause.”
“Thanks for sharing! People wouldn’t know about it if people like you didn’t share this information,” another follower shared. “So true. I’ve talked to so many people who have been edited in such a defamatory way that they suffer personally, professionally and their mental health,” replied Nick. “It’s bad. At least we start with this.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
