Former Below Deck Star Files Massive Lawsuit Against NBCUniversal
Emile Kotze, a former star of the Bravo reality series Below Deck, has initiated legal proceedings against NBCUniversal, seeking damages ranging from $633 million to $850 million. The lawsuit, filed in June 2025 and amended subsequently, alleges that Kotze was subjected to sexual harassment, manipulation, and degrading treatment during his appearance on Season 3 of the show in 2015.
Allegations of Harassment and Manipulation
According to court documents reported by People magazine, Kotze, now 34 years old, claims that showrunners pressured him into a fabricated "showmance" with fellow crew member Raquel "Rocky" Dakota, despite his initial reluctance. The South African native alleges that producers plied him with alcohol during filming breaks and encouraged him to use scripted pickup lines that were later edited to portray him negatively as a "lust-driven youth."
Kotze further contends that during one alcohol-fueled evening, Dakota climbed the yacht's mast and jumped overboard while in a distressed state. He claims to have been traumatized by the incident, fearing for her life, while producers allegedly treated it as dramatic entertainment, continuing to film and using the footage for broadcast purposes.
Defamation and Career Consequences
The lawsuit accuses NBCUniversal of deceptively editing footage to present Kotze in a "false and damaging light," misappropriating his likeness for commercial gain without consent, and engaging in a cover-up campaign when he sought redress. Kotze asserts that this portrayal has severely impacted his professional reputation and livelihood.
Specifically, he claims to have been "blacklisted" from the yachting industry due to his negative depiction on the show, which allegedly highlighted minor mistakes while ignoring his competent work. This, according to the lawsuit, has resulted in $123 million in lost future earnings from his "once-promising yachting career."
Legal Demands and Network Response
Kotze is requesting that the court order NBCUniversal to remove or delete any intimate images of him from all platforms and cease distribution of Season 3 episodes containing what he describes as defamatory or unauthorized content. Alternatively, he seeks the addition of a disclaimer clarifying that certain portrayals were manipulated.
NBCUniversal has not publicly commented on the allegations. However, the company previously filed a motion to dismiss an earlier version of the complaint in October 2025, which was denied by a judge on January 3, 2026, allowing the case to proceed.
Broader Context and Implications
This lawsuit emerges amid growing scrutiny of working conditions and ethical practices in reality television production. Kotze's case highlights concerns about producer manipulation, alcohol use on set, and the long-term professional consequences for participants depicted in unflattering ways.
The substantial damages sought reflect the severe personal and professional impact alleged by Kotze, who claims his global reputation and career prospects have been irreparably damaged by his experience on Below Deck.
