Former ‘Below Deck’ star Emile Kotze has taken legal action against NBCUniversal, alleging serious misconduct during his time on the reality series. In a federal lawsuit filed in June 2025, Kotze claimed he experienced “sexual harassment, manipulation, and degrading treatment” while filming the show’s third season in 2015. His allegations raise significant concerns about the ethical practices of reality television production.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Emile-Kotze-030626-tout-b2c776ed54904bf2918736f291febfd1.jpg)
Kotze’s original complaint, which he submitted to the Southern District of New York, sought damages amounting to $850 million. Following this, he submitted a first amended complaint just days later. NBC attempted to dismiss the first amended complaint in October 2025, but a judge ruled in January 2026 that the motion was moot, allowing the case to proceed.
In his second amended complaint, filed in October 2025, Kotze expanded on the hostile working environment he claims he endured. He described it as “rife with sexual harassment, manipulation, and dangerous conditions,” all allegedly orchestrated to bolster the show’s ratings. The former yachting deckhand explained that he was initially led to believe the series would depict a realistic portrayal of life on a yacht, thus hoping it would advance his career.
Kotze asserted that producers coerced him into a romantic involvement with fellow cast member Raquel “Rocky” Dakota, despite his clear reservations. He alleged that the production team would create scenarios to force the two together and supplied him with alcohol to lower his inhibitions. During one particular incident, he claimed he was instructed to use a “cheesy pickup line,” which he would not typically say. This behaviour, he alleges, was later edited to make him appear as though he was a “lust-driven youth chasing after Rocky.”
Beyond the claims of manipulation regarding his romantic narrative, Kotze accused the producers of deceitful editing that distorted his portrayal on the show. He cited an instance where a sarcastic comment about potentially marrying Dakota was spliced together with footage of her rejecting him, leading to an erroneous narrative that has since affected his personal and professional reputation.
In a troubling part of his complaint, Kotze revealed how the show’s depiction of minor errors contributed to him being “blacklisted” in the yachting industry. He lamented that his capable work was overlooked, and the series largely focused on trivial mistakes, severely impacting his livelihood. This misrepresentation, he argued, has global ramifications on his career prospects in an industry known for its competitive nature.
Kotze further alleged that when he attempted to raise concerns with the show’s production team, he encountered a “cover-up and retaliation campaign” intended to silence him. He now reports suffering from clinical conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression, which he attributes to his experiences during the filming of ‘Below Deck’.
The timing of Kotze’s lawsuit, nearly a decade after his appearance on the show, has prompted questions. In his second amended complaint, he expressed a desire to reveal the truth and seek justice for himself. He hopes that his actions will establish accountability for exploitative practices within the reality TV framework.
As this legal battle unfolds, it raises significant discussions about the treatment of individuals involved in reality television productions. The case will not only examine Kotze’s allegations against NBCUniversal but also probe deeper into how reality shows handle their participants’ narratives and the ethical implications therein.
This lawsuit serves as a reminder of the potential psychological toll and the long-lasting effects that participants in reality television may endure, often in silence and without recourse. Kotze’s courageous choice to confront his past could pave the way for broader scrutiny of industry practices, potentially leading to improvements in how cast members are treated in the future.