‘Masterchef’ contestant sues show producers for forcing her to continue filming after suffering a stroke
As food fans wait for the debut of Season 12 of Fox’s MasterChef later this year, one of the Season 11 contestants is suing the show’s producers.
Masterchef contestant Mary Jane, 59, is suing the three production companies behind the reality show, alleging they ignored her when she said she suffered a stroke on the morning of March 10.
The contestant claims that before filming, she told the producers that she didn’t think she could film that day, but they insisted that she complete the baking task, which resulted in a grueling 14-hour work day.
Litigation: As food fans wait for the debut of Season 12 of MasterChef on Fox, which will debut later this year, one of the Season 11 contestants is suing the show’s producers.
Contestant: Masterchef contestant Mary Jane, 59, is suing the three production companies behind the reality show, alleging they ignored her when she said she suffered a stroke on the morning of March 10.
Mary claims to have told the show’s medic that she had trouble moving her leg when she got to the set.
However, the show’s producers rejected her request for help and forced her to continue filming.
Throughout the day, she continued to tell producers about her condition, including that the left side of her body was sagging, and makeup artists and hairstylists, along with other competitors, became aware of her injuries.
Medic: Mary claims to have told the show’s medic that she had trouble moving her leg when she got to the set.
The lawsuit also alleges that she was only taken to the hospital after one of her fellow competitors insisted that Jane be taken to the hospital.
While the lawsuit does not disclose what treatment she received, she said it was a 14-hour workday before she returned to her hotel.
The lawsuit alleges that the producers’ actions in obstructing her medical care aggravated the stroke and caused more damage.
Long day: Although the lawsuit did not reveal what treatment she received, she said it was a 14-hour day before she returned to her hotel.
The lawsuit also describes a Bastrop, Texas hospice nurse assistant as one of the top chefs in the country, having received national champion awards for his Heath toffee and pecan pie in 2013 and peach key lime habanero pie in 2015.
The lawsuit also alleges that she was pressured to continue filming because she had a special baking assignment that day.
On the sixth episode of the 11th season, host Gordon Ramsay revealed that Mary Jane withdrew from the contest due to illness, but they refused to say anything further.
Specialty: The lawsuit also alleges that she was pressured to continue filming because there was a test that day for baking, her specialty.
Withdrawal: In the sixth episode of Season 11, host Gordon Ramsay revealed that Mary Jane had withdrawn from the pageant due to illness, but they refused to say anything else.
Production companies Berkeley Productions and Endemol Shine North America are listed as defendants, although Ramsay is not listed.
Masterchef debuted in the UK in 1990, created by Frank Roddam, which was revived by the BBC in 2005.
The American version, hosted by Gordon Ramsay, debuted in 2010, and to date, versions of the show have been produced in 40 different countries.
Defendants: Production companies Berkeley Productions and Endemol Shine North America are listed as defendants, although Ramsay is not listed.
Host: The American version, hosted by Gordon Ramsay, debuted in 2010 and to date, versions of the show have been produced in 40 different countries.