Bravo has released a statement on NDAs after Bethenny Frankel – a former Bravo reality star – hired a legal team to lead her fight and try to protect reality stars from networks amid the SAG-AFTRA strike.
The former reality star, 52, is campaigning for TV stars to be unionized wherever possible and given better working conditions, protections and pay.
Last week, Bethenny’s attorneys claimed that the NDAs, which the reality stars sign to NBCUniversal, bar them from speaking out about alleged abuse.
The network released a statement to Variety clarifying that wasn’t the case — after they received “multiple” legal letters from Bethenny’s legal team — Bryan Freedman and Mark Geragos — according to Variety.
The Latest: Bravo has released a statement on NDAs after Bethenny Frankel – a former Bravo reality star – hired a legal team to lead her fight and try to shield reality stars from networks amid the SAG-AFTRA strike protect
NBCUniversal is the parent company of Bravo, Oxygen, USA, Peacock, E!, CNBC and more.
The NDAs are there to “protect storylines” and do not prohibit or prohibit them from speaking out to report any abuse, the statement said.
“Confidentiality clauses are common practice on reality programs to prevent disclosure of storylines before they air,” the rep told Variety.
“They are not intended to prevent the disclosure of unlawful activity in the workplace by cast members and crew, nor have they been enforced in that manner.”
“To be clear, any current or former cast or crew is free to discuss and disclose alleged unlawful acts in the workplace, such as harassment or discrimination, or any other conduct that they have reason to believe is inappropriate. ”
“We are also working with our third-party production companies to remind all cast and crew members that they are encouraged to report such concerns through the channels provided by the production company so that concerns can be promptly addressed,” the statement to Variety read finally.
Speaking out: The former reality star is campaigning for the possibility of TV stars being unionized and getting better working conditions, protections and pay
Focus: Last week, Bethenny’s attorneys claimed that the NDAs, which the reality stars sign to NBCUniversal, bar them from speaking out about alleged abuse; seen on March 23, 2023 in New York City
The statement came a month after several letters were sent to the network from Bethenny’s legal team.
According to Deadline, her legal team accused the network of “grotesque and depraved abuse of the reality stars and crew members” in a letter.
A second letter was sent earlier this week.
“We are left with the inescapable conclusion that NBC and its producing partners are grappling with systemic rot for which sunlight is the first necessary remedial measure,” the letter reads via Deadline.
“Previously, this has been impossible due to the draconian terms of NBC’s cast and crew contracts, which include onerous confidentiality provisions coupled with ruinous penalties for violators,” the source said.
“In order to ensure confidentiality, NBC has wielded these terms of the contract like a sword.”
In August, Bethenny confirmed that SAG-AFTRA, which is currently on strike, stands ready to help TV personalities unionize.
SAG-AFRTA, the union representing over 160,000 actors, is on strike at the same time as the WGA, which represents 11,000 writers.
The union approved the July 14 strike amid growing concerns over the use of artificial intelligence and streaming residuals.
The WGA has been on strike since May 2nd.