“Love Is Blind” creator Chris Coelen has hit back at claims that contestants were deprived of food, water and sleep while filming the popular Netflix reality show.
Former season two contestants Nick Thompson, Danielle Ruhl, and Jeremy Hartwell have all spoken out about the mistreatment they allege took place during filming, with the latter filing a lawsuit against Netflix claiming they were denied sleep, water and food while on set.
‘Love Is Blind’ Creator Responds To Netflix Claims From Former Contestants
Instagram | Nick Thompson
After Jeremy Hartwell filed a lawsuit against Netflix and production company Kinetic Content in 2022, Danielle Ruhl and Nick Thompson alleged further mistreatment in an interview with Business Insider, with Danielle even saying she was denied medical attention after coughing. blood.
In a statement to Entertainment Weekly made at the time, Kinetic Content responded to the Business Insider report, saying, “The well-being of our participants is extremely important to Kinetic.” The company added, “We have strict protocols to take care of everyone before, during and after filming.”
Kinetic also claimed that Jeremy’s claims had “absolutely no merit” and vowed to “vigorously defend his claims.”
Instagram | Nick Thompson
In a September 2023 interview with Variety, “Love Is Blind” creator Chris Coelen also slammed the allegations. Although Hartwell claimed in his lawsuit that participants were locked up alone for hours “without access to phones, food, or any other type of contact with the outside world,” Chris insisted that the idea that he was being held “prisoner” was “absurd.” because of the production “completely transparent about the details of what it takes to join Love Is Blind.”
“We told them they wouldn’t be able to travel freely while they were in the pod,” Chris explained. “We tell them that they will not have a phone or TV or internet service in the pod or in their hotel room where they are staying or on a romantic getaway. You are asked to stay in your hotel to protect the integrity of the experiment. We cut their phone and internet connections so they can’t go online because people are tempted to find people.”
Jeremy Hartwell Stands By What He Claims In His 2022 Lawsuit
Instagram | Jeremy Hartwell
Chris also insisted that they never lacked food, water, and sleep on set. Although Jeremy claimed that they worked twenty hours a day, Chris insisted that the contestants never filmed more than sixteen hours a day. He also said that participants are allowed to sleep in the lounge if they feel tired and can take a shuttle back to the hotel at any time.
The “Love Is Blind” creators also slammed claims that they were denied food while filing. He said that the production team provided meals to the set and included free bottled water in the break room for participants to drink at any time. Although Jeremy insisted that there was “excess alcohol” on set, Chris said that they had actually encouraged the contestants not to drink before making the big decision.
Instagram | Jeremy Hartwell
“Every season, I say … ‘I personally recommend that you don’t drink too much, because I personally don’t think that’s a good way to connect with your potential partner – especially through a wall,'” Chris claimed. “‘Whether you want to drink or not, that’s up to you.'”
In a statement to Variety, Jeremy Hartwell insisted that he stands by what he said in his lawsuit, adding, “I will continue to act in the best interests of the class in the pursuit of truth and justice. I do not have any further comment on this matter as the evidence and the outcome of the lawsuit will stand on its own merits.”
‘Love Is Blind’ Creator Addresses Danielle Ruhl’s Mental Health Allegations
Instagram | Danielle Ruhl
Chris also spoke about Danielle Ruhl’s claims about her mental health. Although he claimed he had a panic attack in Mexico and asked to leave, Chris insisted that not everything he said was true. “He did not inform the production team that he had any thoughts of harming himself. If he is there, we will not continue filming with him,” he said.
“He never asked anyone in the production to leave the show. He is free to leave the experiment at any time, as many participants have done in the past,” he continued. “I urge all potential participants to always prioritize their own well-being, rather than being on TV, or participating in this trial, no matter how great the potential improvement.”
Instagram | Danielle Ruhl
Chris Coelen also denied claims that he did not provide mental health support to Netflix participants. He said that psychologists are on set while contestants are in pods. Later during filming, when the couple moved in together, she said that contestants were given a hotline to call where mental health support was available 2/7.
Chris also said that producers actively encourage contestants to go to therapy after the show, because Netflix will cover the cost of their mental health treatment. Regarding the alleged $50,000 fine that the contestants had to pay if they left the show, Chris said that it was removed from the contract for the show’s fifth season.
Instagram | Danielle Ruhl
“We never enforced it. We’ve never threatened to enforce it,” Chris said, adding, “Frankly, it goes against everything we do on any of our shows.”
The “Love Is Blind” season 5 finale will be available to stream on Netflix on October 13.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
