NBC Universal and its subsidiary Bravo are accused of putting their reality stars through “grotesque and depraved mistreatment.”
A letter sent by legal eagles Bryan Freedman and Mark Geragos to NBC’s bigwig counsel, Kimberley Harris, and obtained by A source Friday accuses the networks of making “deliberate attempts” to “manufacture mental instability” by dosing their talent with “alcohol while depriving them of food and sleep,” as well as denying mental health treatment for those displaying “obvious and alarming signs of mental deterioration.”
The letter also accuses Bravo and NBC of “distributing and/or condoning the distribution of non-consensual pornography,” as well as the “distribution of revenge porn,” though no specifics are provided.
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The letter ends with accusations that the networks are “covering up acts of sexual violence.”
Geragos and Friedman, who have represented celebrities including Michael Jackson, Winona Ryder, Gabrielle Union, Mariah Carey, and others, are requesting that NBC keep information about the pornography and alleged sexual abuse.
“As you know, NBC has a pattern and practice of grotesque and depraved mistreatment of the reality stars and crewmembers on whose accounts its coffers swell,” the letter states, with the attorneys alleging that NBC has “threatened [cast members] with ruin should they decide to speak out about their mistreatment.”
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“As a result, the sordid and dark underbelly of NBC’s widely consumed reality TV universe has remained under wraps for far too long,” the letter says, without naming the clients.
“Please be advised that the day of reckoning has arrived.”
NBC and Bravo representatives did not immediately respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.
The devastating letter comes just days after Bethenny Frankel, a former “Real Housewives of New York City” star, pushed reality stars to join the SAG-AFTRA strike.
“I myself have generated millions of dollars in advertising and online impressions while being on reality TV and have never made a single residual,” she revealed last month on Instagram.
According to the letter, both networks “threatened” reality stars with “ruin” if they spoke out about their mistreatment.
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“So, either I’m missing something or we’re screwed as well.”
According to Frankel, reality TV stars are often considered “losers” in Hollywood because they “provided all of the entertainment” during the yearlong strike in 2007.
“It’s complete and total bulls-t,” she added. “It just occurred to me, everyone is talking about actors, and we don’t get paid s-t.”
The Skinnygirl entrepreneur, 52, also urged “Vanderpump Rules” star Raquel Leviss to “get paid” in the aftermath of Scandoval.
“The girl was a punching bag for everybody on every talk show in the entertainment industry,” Frankel said.
“So you get thrashed? “Get paid like Erika Jayne,” she continued. “You’re gonna put me in the ring with [Mike] Tyson, and I’m gonna get paid.”
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