Love Is Blind reaches season 5 with staggering viewership and online engagement. The show that began on the cusp of the pandemic brought entertainment to people during the lockdown.
The intriguing format of the show made up for an exciting reality television. The fact that the contestants can only see each other after they have fully committed as a betrothed couple gave a new dimension to the speed dating format.
Season five of Love Is Blind has been trending ever since it premiered on September 22, 2023. Overall, 15 men and 15 women are invited as participants who date each other through “pods,” not knowing who is on the other side.
Then, the couple goes on a vacation trip after one of them proposes an engagement. This gives them quality time to determine whether they are suitable for each other. By the finale, the show encourages the couple to get married. Marriage At First Sight follows a similar show format, as both shows explore the complexities and compatibility of modern relationships.
Amidst Season 5 already making rounds for its spicy plot and unexpected turn of events, the showrunners found themselves under steaming hot waters.
Tran Dang, a former contestant from season 5, is suing Love is Blind for alleged sexual assault. As per Dang’s side, she was assaulted by her fiancé and fellow participant, Thomas Smith, during the Mexico trip on May 3, 2022. She is also suing Netflix producers, Delirium TV, and Kinetic Content producers for forcing her to continue filming the show even after complaining about the assault. Her lawsuit also includes that her episodes were not even aired.
Why Is Love Blind Getting Sued? Who Complained About Love Is Blind?
Tran Dang was allegedly requested multiple times to be one of the 15 single women on the unique dating reality TV show Love Is Blind. Abiding by the format, Dang met multiple people in speed-dating in the “pods,” where two people cannot see each other.
One of the contestants that Dang instantly clicked with was Thomas Smith. The two bonded over in the pods, not knowing what they looked like. Eventually, as their relationship grew, the couple decided to make it official on the show and got engaged.
Later, the show arranged a trip to Mexico for the couple. However, their relationship took a darker turn during the getaway when Dang alleged that Smith “groped” and later sexually assaulted her on around May 3, 2023. She again complained about Smith harassing her over a call on May 14, 2022.
Tran Dang’s Lawsuit on Love Is Blind Explained
Dang filed a petition against Smith, the showrunners, and the production houses involved in the show on August 16, 2022, after no one paid heed to her complaints. One of the accusations against Kinetic Content and Delirium TV was that she was “falsely imprisoned.”
The petition further states–
“Delirium TV and Kinetic Content producers made attempts to mask the plaintiff’s sexual assault by characterizing it as a lack of attraction on the part of the plaintiff. When plaintiff insisted an assault took place, defendants Delirium TV and Kinetic Content questioned whether the problem was really one of communication and swept aside her concerns.”
However, the makers and the accused producers have denied all allegations against them and issued a joint statement–
“We support and stand with victims of sexual assault, but Ms. Dang’s claims against the producers are meritless.”
“We document the independent choices of adults who volunteer to participate in a social experiment. Their journey is not scripted, nor is it filmed around the clock. We have no knowledge or control over what occurs in private living spaces when not filming, and participants may choose to end their journey at any time.”
Tran Dang and Thomas Smith’s footage was never aired on the show. Dang has alleged that the producers forced her to continue hanging out with Smith and ignored her complaints.
Is Love Is Blind Cast Paid?
According to sources, Love Is Blind contestants do get paid, but not that handsomely. With a decent pay of over $1000 a week and $8000 for the entire show, contestants must commit 20 hours a day, seven days a week.
What are your thoughts on this case? Do you think these allegations hold ground? Do you believe the production team’s statement?
Let us know in the comments section below.
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