{"id":226921,"date":"2026-03-06T23:16:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T23:16:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/06\/former-below-deck-star-sues-nbcuniversal-for-850-million\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T23:16:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T23:16:35","slug":"former-below-deck-star-sues-nbcuniversal-for-850-million","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/06\/former-below-deck-star-sues-nbcuniversal-for-850-million\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Below Deck Star Sues NBCUniversal for $850 Million"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Former Below Deck<\/em><\/a> star Emile Kotze<\/strong> is suing NBCUniversal for $850 million after claiming the network perpetrated a \u201ccoordinated campaign of exploitation, harassment and deceit\u201d during his time on the show.<\/p>\n

Kotze, who appeared on season 3 of the Bravo series<\/a>, was 23 years old when he worked as a deckhand on the reality show. Now 34, Kotze has been embroiled in a legal battle with Bravo\u2019s parent network since June 2025, Us Weekly<\/em> can confirm.<\/p>\n

Kotze claimed in his initial lawsuit that he was \u201csexually harassed<\/a>, manipulated and subjected to degrading treatment\u201d during and after he filmed the show in 2015.<\/p>\n

The yachty filed a first amended complaint on June 13, 2025, less than two weeks after he initiated the lawsuit in the Southern District of New York.<\/p>\n

In October 2025, Kotze filed a second amended complaint, claiming that after he was cast on Below Deck,<\/em> the showrunners decided they wanted him to be part of a \u201cshowmance\u201d with female crew member Raquel \u201cRocky\u201d Dakota<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

One executive allegedly pointed to Kotze\u2019s South African background and possible \u201ctraditional values\u201d as something that would help with the story line.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can get some fish-out-of-water tension with him. Plus, he\u2019s not union or anything, we can push him harder,\u201d the executive allegedly said, according to the court filing.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Below Deck’s Biggest Drama Through the Years<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tThe Below Deck franchise has had its fair share of chaos over the years, but there were some moments that stood out more. During season 7 of the Bravo show, chief stew Kate Chastain and bosun Ashton Pienaar had a scary confrontation when the latter was drunk after a night out. Ashton ended up punching [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Kotze further claimed that once filming began, production \u201cpiled\u201d him with alcohol during his downtime and was \u201cencouraging him to \u2018make a move\u2019\u201d on Dakota, despite his alleged hesitation about pursuing a romantic relationship with her.<\/p>\n

Kotze alleged that during cast nights out after charters<\/a>, the producers would encourage them to take shots and do drinking games. He claimed that one such night led to Dakota \u201cin a distraught emotional state\u201d climbing the yacht\u2019s mast and jumping overboard.<\/p>\n

Kotze claimed in the docs that he was \u201ctraumatized witnessing this, as he feared for Rocky\u2019s life.\u201d He alleged that production \u201ctreated it as a dramatic plot twist \u2013 cameras kept rolling, and they later used the footage as entertainment.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Courtesy of Emile Kotze\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cAfter filming, Defendants defamed Plaintiff by deceptively editing footage to portray him in a false and damaging light, misappropriated his likeness for continued commercial gain without consent, and engaged in a cover-up and retaliation campaign to silence and discredit him when he sought redress,\u201d the lawsuit read, claiming that Kotez\u2019s alleged mistreatment continued once filming wrapped.<\/p>\n

NBCUniversal had no comment.<\/p>\n

Kotze is seeking between $633 million and $850 million in damages, claiming in his lawsuit that $123 million was lost in future earnings because his \u201conce-promising yachting career was destroyed.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>‘Below Deck’ Franchise Stars That Dramatically Left Throughout the Years<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tNot always the perfect fit. Over the years, the Below Deck franchise has shocked viewers with dramatic exits, including firings and resignations. Mathew Shea set a record for Below Deck Mediterranean when he made several departures during season 6. The chef initially left the boat when he suffered a knee injury that required medical attention. [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

He said he is seeking \u201cno less than $10 million\u201d in damages for emotional distress and proposed for punitive damages he be awarded $500 million.<\/p>\n

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