Stephen Richardson is the latest former contestant to file a lawsuit against &34;Love Is Blind&34; producers and Netflix. Love Is Blind contestant files classac

Stephen Richardson is the latest former contestant to file a lawsuit against "Love Is Blind" producers and Netflix.

Love Is Blind contestant files class-action suit alleging 'inhumane working conditions'

Stephen Richardson is the latest former contestant to file a lawsuit against "Love Is Blind" producers and Netflix.

By Mekishana Pierre

September 17, 2025 12:50 p.m. ET

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Stephen Richardson on 'Love Is Blind'. Credit:

Adam Rose/Netflix

Stephen Richardson, a contestant from *Love Is Blind*'s seventh season, has joined the growing number of former Netflix reality stars to file a lawsuit against the streamer in connection with its hit reality dating series.

In a proposed class action filed in California state court on Monday and reviewed by **, Richardson is suing the makers of the dating show for a series of alleged labor violations, including subjecting contestants to unpaid wages and creating "inhumane working conditions." The suit names production company Kinetic Content, Netflix, production company Delirium TV, and 1-50 unnamed Does as defendants.

Stephen Richardson on 'Love Is Blind'.

Courtesy of Netflix

But the former contestant isn't going after the named defendants solely for himself — Richardson's proposing a sweeping class-action suit that includes those who were on "including but not limited to seasons 6, 7, 8, and 9 of the series."

The filing claims that Richardson and other contestants should've been classified as employees, but "Defendants willfully misclassified and upon information and belief continue to misclassify Plaintiff, the Class Members, and Aggrieved Employees, including those holding positions as 'Contestant,' 'Participant,' 'Cast Member,' and similar job titles (herein referred to as the 'Cast'), as independent contractors."

It goes on to claim there was a "substantial exercise of control over the manner, means, and timing of their work performed for Defendants' non-scripted content productions, including but not limited to the Netflix reality TV show, *Love Is Blind*." This allegedly included "exerting complete domination over their time, schedule, and their ability to eat, drink, and sleep, and communicate with the outside world during the period of employment."

This, the filing argues, qualifies contestants for protections under California labor law, which would entitle them to minimum wages and overtime pay.

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According to the complaint, at the hotel where cast members resided during shooting, the production directed staff not to provide food. Contestants' IDs, wallets, phones, and credit cards were taken away, "thus eliminating [their] ability to leave the hotel living quarters or production set," the lawsuit says.

The filing also alleges defendants deliberately intoxicated them by only providing them with "alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, energy drinks, and mixers," while water and other "hydrating drinks" were only made available during the day. The suit says they were also encouraged to drink throughout the day without being provided with food or water to mitigate the effects.**

This was done, the claim says, "in order to maintain a heightened degree of control and direct the conduct of the Cast into making manipulated decisions for the benefit of the shows' entertainment value."

Richardson seeks recognition of that proposed class, that all potential members of the class be notified, that the court affirm wage theft, and that the practices of food and alcohol provision are violations of labor laws. His filing also seeks compensation for lost wages and unspecified punitive damages, as well as coverage of legal fees and any other damages the court may find appropriate.

EW has reached out to Netflix, Kinetic Content, and other named defendants for comment.

Renee Poche; Jeremy Hartwell.

The filing comes after the National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint against the *Love Is Blind* production last year. The complaint said that cast members were misclassified as independent contractors, opening the door to possible unionization.

Richardson's suit is one of several from former *Love Is Blind* contestants complaining of unsafe working conditions.

Season 5 contestant Renee Poche filed a lawsuit last year against the production companies behind *Love Is Blind*, accusing them of labor violations. Arbitration proceedings seeking $4 million were later initiated against her for allegedly violating her nondisclosure agreement. Poche's case was moved to confidential arbitration, and the status is unclear.

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Jeremy Hartwell, a contestant on season 2, sued the production in 2022 and alleged that contestants were paid $1,000 per week — an effective wage of roughly $7 per hour for working 20 hours a day and seven days a week. The case settled.

Richardson's suit doesn't disclose if the stipend has increased since then, though he also alleges he should've at least been paid minimum wage and overtime.**

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