A lawsuit has been filed against the makers of the US version of reality dating series Love Island regarding mistreatment of contestants in the show's fourth season, which aired last year.
People Magazine reportings that former Love Island USA producers, Jasmine Crestwell and Alex Rinks, allege that UK production staff was brought over to work on the show and increase ratings, to detrimental effect.
The lawsuit claims mistreatment of contestants as well as poor working conditions, saying that executive producers demonstrated a "flippant" approach to sexual consent, and that female islanders were "pressured... to engage in sexual relationships, without regard for their personal preferences or genuine consent."
Additionally, the filing alleges that some producers "openly commented on video feeds of female Islanders showering and having sex, creating a deeply uncomfortable work environment for women on set."
The lawsuit also claims racial discrimination towards contestant Sereniti Springs who was "one of the few women of color" on the series.
The accusers believe that she was treated differently from her counterparts and that actions were taken to impede "her ability to forge connections with male cast members, thus sabotaging her chances on the show."
The living conditions of the contestants have also been called into question, with assertions that there were "unsafe and unsanitary conditions in the show's supposedly luxe 'villa’ — in reality, a ramshackle, dilapidated ranch with inadequate plumbing and inoperable bathrooms."
The makers of the series, ITV America, said in a statement to People: "This is a frivolous attack at an opportunistic moment, timed to the Season 5 debut, made by two former employees who were terminated for cause, purely in relation to their job performance."
The statement continued, "These characterizations are false. Love Island USA's commitment to diversity and proven track record speaks for itself."
"We categorically deny the allegations and look forward to defending against these claims in a court of law."
Season five of Love Island USA is airing currently, with Irish influencer and former UK Love Island contestant Maura Higgins taking on a social media ambassador role on the series.
