An ex-contestant from Married at First Sight Australia said she is considering suing after being portrayed in a negative light during last years show.
Davina Rankin said she was inspired to take legal action after a recent court ruling in favour of a contestant on a similar reality show. The rise of ex-reality contestants taking court action follows after House Rules contestant Nicole Prince took the show to court for being portrayed as a bully and won her case.
Speaking to radio station Hit 105, Rankin said she was displeased with broadcaster Channel Nine and the Endemol Shine Australia production company, as the way she was presented on the show has brought reputational damage she has struggled to overcome.
“‘I couldn’t go to events, I didn’t even look at my phone, I didn’t leave my house for months. Even people from my series that were not as villianised as much as me are still going through trauma,” she said.
The reality star discussed that now she is aware she could sue, she might.
“To be honest, when it was all going down, I actually had a few friends that are lawyers and I got them to look over my contract and these contracts are so hectic, you’re pretty much handing over your life. They own you,” she explained.
The publicity and marketing which surrounded the show labelled Rankin as ‘TV’s biggest villain’ and due to the extensive nature of the contract, the ex-contestant admitted the journey was going to be difficult.
“It’s really had to try and get anything out of it because they’ve kind of covered their butt in every way,” she said.
There is now speculation that more dissatisfied reality contestants could be taking legal action.
