A federal judge has ruled that a former reality television star can proceed with the core of her lawsuit against a major network and its production company. The suit alleges she was harassed and coerced regarding her struggles with alcohol while filming.
In a detailed ruling issued this week, the judge dismissed certain elements of the case but allowed the primary claims to move forward. Central to the case are allegations that producers engaged in a pattern of behavior that targeted the plaintiff’s addiction. The complaint states that production staff made jokes about her condition despite requests to stop, encouraged other cast members to disparage her mental health and substance use, and actively attempted to undermine her efforts to maintain sobriety.
A significant point of contention is an alleged agreement related to the plaintiff’s recovery. She claims she was given permission to attend support meetings during filming, an arrangement she says was revoked once production began, leaving her without a promised accommodation.
In their defense, lawyers for the production company argued that the consumption of alcohol is a central, authentic element of the show’s content and is protected under free speech principles. The judge acknowledged this argument but determined that the specific allegations of coercive conduct warranted further legal examination.
The plaintiff’s legal team welcomed the decision, calling it an affirmation that the serious claims at the heart of the case will now be fully litigated. They indicated plans to refine and refile portions of the complaint to address the judge’s specific questions on the dismissed counts.
The network involved has declined to comment on the ongoing litigation. The case is now set to advance to the next phase of the legal process.
