Below Deck Star Sues NBC for $850M Harassment

Emile Kotze, a former star of Below Deck, filed a $850 million federal lawsuit against NBCUniversal last year, alleging harassment and defamation. 

In court documents obtained by the Daily Mail, the 2025 filing reads, 'This action arises from Emile Kotze’s coerced appearance on Below Deck Season 3 under the false pretense of participating in a documentary. 

'Kotze was subjected to sexual harassment, defamation, workplace discrimination, retaliation, and maritime violations, while Defendants profited over $500 million from the Below Deck series, a company valued at over $150 billion, that is still profiting from illegal activities.'

Kotze alleges that the producers portrayed him as 'immature' and ‘sexually aggressive,’ leading to significant harm to his reputation and career, per the documents. 

NBCUniversal denies the charges and maintains that the claims should be dismissed. 

Kotze claims he was hired as a deckhand for the third season of the reality series in 2015, aged 23, expecting a documentary-style show, only to be drawn into a salacious  drama, per the documents.

In his lawsuit, Kotze accuses the producers of creating a fake romantic storyline between him and fellow cast member Raquel ‘Rocky’ Dakota, which he says was orchestrated to boost ratings. 

The lawsuit further claims that producers encouraged heavy drinking, set up sexually charged situations, and staged humiliating pranks to maximize the drama.

In his lawsuit, Kotze accuses the producers of creating a fake romantic storyline between him and fellow cast member Raquel ‘Rocky’ Dakota, which he says was orchestrated to boost ratings