House Rules’ Nicole Prince awarded compensation by Seven
A former House Rules contestant has been awarded workers’ compensation by Channel 7 and other reality TV stars warn more lawsuits against television networks could follow.
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Reality TV stars have warned further lawsuits could follow a landmark ruling by the NSW Workers Compensation Commission where Channel 7 was ordered to pay compensation to a former House Rules contestant.
Nicole Prince, who appeared on the popular renovation show in 2017, was awarded workers’ compensation after claiming her negative portrayal triggered post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder and depression.
She claimed that her mental health struggles were caused by Seven’s “systematic isolation of myself and encouragement of bullying by co-competitors”, and she also accused the network of “harassment” after she was targeted by trolls on Seven’s social media pages.
Reality shows as a rule have psychologists on hand during production, although some have criticised it as a token gesture.
“Ultimately yes, contestants are speaking up, which is making production companies and the television networks face their legal responsibilities and ownership of the stressors and burdens that these contestants are exposed to,” said one psychologist who has worked on several high profile shows.
Former Married At First Sight stars Dean Wells and Nick Furphy said the ruling could open the door for further lawsuits.
“I would not be surprised if you see several more lawsuits come out of this,” Wells said.
“You sign these giant contracts that are filled with jargon but no one actually knows what they mean.”
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Wells was widely criticised for his “misogynistic” portrayal on the show, which he claims was completely fabricated by Channel 9.
“I thought about taking legal action at the time, so it’s interesting to see that someone has done it,” he said.
“It’s unreasonable to think people who haven’t had experience in film and TV would understand how it really works. I’ve had quite a few people say ‘the same thing happened to me, they made a storyline that wasn’t even true’.”
Furphy said Prince’s win meant networks would now be held to account.
“I think everyone has the right to be safe from bullying and harassment,” he said.
“These networks should look after your mental health and wellbeing, I don’t think they do enough of that. It will definitely open the door for lawsuits. Nearly everyone I know who’s been portrayed as a villain has wanted to sue.”
Seven was ordered to pay an unspecified amount to Prince, 46, despite arguments from the network’s insurer that she was “not a worker”.
They filmed scenes in 2016 with hopes of winning $200,000 and were each paid $500 per week along with a $500 allowance.
Before appearing on the renovation show alongside teammate, Fiona Taylor, Prince signed a contract, which strictly outlined that she is not an employee.
The contract states, “your participation in the program is not employment, does not create an employer/employee relationship between Seven and you and is not subject to any award or collective bargaining or workplace agreement and does not entitle you to any wages, salary, corporate benefits, superannuation, workers compensation benefits or any other compensation.”
However, a tribunal found that Prince was in fact legally an employee of Seven and subsequently awarded her compensation
“The respondent derived benefit from the applicant giving her time and engaging in the home renovations for the television show,” arbitrator, Cameron Burge, wrote in his decision.
“Without the contestants, the production would not take place.”
Prince and Taylor were booted from the show after the second episode.
Originally published as House Rules’ Nicole Prince awarded compensation by Seven