Below Deck Star Emile Kotze Sues NBC for $850 Million Over Alleged Exploitation in 2015

Below Deck alum Emile Kotze is seeking $850 million from NBCUniversal, claiming producers exploited him during the 2015 season. This is a huge amount compared to typical lawsuit settlements.
By Newsroom | Entertainment, Law |

Emile Kotze, a former participant on the Bravo reality series 'Below Deck,' has filed a federal lawsuit seeking $850 million from NBCUniversal, Bravo Media, and production company 51 Minds Entertainment. Kotze, who appeared on the show's third season in 2015 at the age of 23, alleges a decade-long "coordinated campaign of exploitation, harassment and deceit" during his time as a deckhand.

Former“ Below Deck” Star Emile Kotze Sues NBCUniversal for $850 Million Over Alleged Sexual Harassment - 1

The lawsuit claims producers pressured Kotze into a fabricated romance with castmate Raquel “Rocky” Dakota, manipulated footage to portray him in a false and damaging light, and encouraged excessive alcohol consumption. He asserts that this alleged manipulation led to him being depicted as "immature" and "sexually aggressive," contributing to diagnosed PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Kotze is suing on grounds including sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, defamation, privacy and image rights violations, emotional distress, negligence, and fraud.

Read More: Oscars 2025 Dolby Theatre preparation takes days to make show look easy

Former“ Below Deck” Star Emile Kotze Sues NBCUniversal for $850 Million Over Alleged Sexual Harassment - 2

A motion to dismiss Kotze's initial complaint, filed by NBCUniversal in October 2025, was denied by a judge on January 3, 2026, allowing the case to proceed. Kotze is reportedly representing himself in the proceedings.

Former“ Below Deck” Star Emile Kotze Sues NBCUniversal for $850 Million Over Alleged Sexual Harassment - 3

Claims of Manipulation and Pressure

Kotze's legal filing details instances where producers allegedly orchestrated situations designed to foster a romantic storyline between him and Dakota, despite his expressed hesitance. He claims they would strategically place them together for work and ply him with alcohol to encourage him to pursue Dakota. The lawsuit points to the use of "Frankenbiting"—a technique where audio clips are edited and stitched out of context—to create a narrative of obsessive infatuation on Kotze's part.

Former“ Below Deck” Star Emile Kotze Sues NBCUniversal for $850 Million Over Alleged Sexual Harassment - 4

An alleged incident described in the suit involved producers staging a fire in the ship's kitchen, after which Dakota reportedly jumped overboard, creating a dangerous situation. The lawsuit suggests producers exacerbated drama with Dakota, leading to this event. Kotze also claims producers openly discussed pushing him harder because he was not part of a union.

Read More: Belagavi Law College Hosts National Moot Court Competition Until March 15, 2026

Beyond monetary damages, Kotze seeks to compel the network to remove or delete "intimate images or photos" of him from all platforms and to halt future distribution or streaming of Season 3 episodes containing allegedly defamatory or unauthorized content. Alternatively, he requests that a disclaimer be added to the episodes, clarifying that his portrayal was manipulated.

Background and Network Response

Kotze, a South African deckhand, was 23 when he filmed 'Below Deck' Season 3. The network, in its response to the lawsuit, has denied all allegations and is reportedly fighting the dismissal, citing protection under the First Amendment. Representatives for Kotze and NBCUniversal have been contacted for comment by various outlets. The lawsuit was initially filed on June 2, 2025, with an amended complaint following in October of the same year. The case is currently active in the discovery and motions phase in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Read More: Weinstein Says Paltrow Owes Career To Him, Won't Forgive Her Accusations

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is former Below Deck star Emile Kotze suing NBCUniversal for $850 million?
Emile Kotze, who appeared on Below Deck in 2015, claims NBCUniversal, Bravo, and 51 Minds exploited and manipulated him for a decade. He alleges they pressured him into a fake romance, edited footage to portray him badly, and encouraged drinking, leading to PTSD and anxiety.
Q: What specific claims does Emile Kotze make against the Below Deck producers?
Kotze alleges producers pressured him into a romance with a castmate, used 'Frankenbiting' to create a false narrative, and encouraged excessive alcohol use. He also claims they staged a fire incident and pushed him harder because he was not in a union.
Q: What does Emile Kotze want NBCUniversal to do besides paying $850 million?
Kotze wants the network to remove or delete "intimate images or photos" of him from all platforms and stop showing Season 3 episodes with allegedly false content. He also suggested adding a disclaimer to episodes explaining the manipulation.
Q: Has NBCUniversal responded to the lawsuit filed by Emile Kotze?
Yes, NBCUniversal has denied all allegations and is fighting the lawsuit. They believe they are protected by the First Amendment. A judge denied their initial motion to dismiss the complaint, allowing the case to move forward.
Q: When did Emile Kotze appear on Below Deck and when was the lawsuit filed?
Emile Kotze appeared on Below Deck's third season in 2015 when he was 23. The lawsuit was initially filed on June 2, 2025, with an amended complaint in October 2025. The case is currently active.