CNNMoney obtained a copy of the contract that Bachelor in Paradise contestants signed and it’s a doozy.
In a nutshell: You sign your life away.
The contract has been confirmed as authentic and it essentially confirms what viewers already know. The show presents itself as more dramatic than it is. It is not necessarily scripted or staged but rather edited to make contestants seem a certain way.
According to the contract, contestants agree that “actions and the actions of others displayed in the Series may be disparaging, defamatory, embarrassing or of an otherwise unfavorable nature and may expose [them] to public ridicule, humiliation, or condemnation.”
That said, any unlawful behavior is not allowed. Sexual contact is discouraged, but the show is not liable if anything ensues.
Although some of the nitty-gritty details are surprising, this kind of contract is not new. It’s a fairly standard procedure in similar reality shows, according to NY entertainment attorney Nicole Page. She also stated that “these contracts are so one-sided it seems absurd but this is the price people are willing to pay to be on television for whatever it is.”
So although contestants often accuse each other of “being there for the wrong reasons” or “just trying to be on TV”, it’s pretty evident that that’s what everyone is there for (duh!).
Of course, with any sort of legal contract, there are some loopholes and gray areas that are difficult to enforce. The show doesn’t want to look bad and wants to protect itself. But still, this contract requires contestants to put a lot out there. However, they willingly agree.
Although this contract was specific to BiP, it’s likely that Bachelor and Bachelorette contestants sign similar contracts.
Feature Photo: ABC/John Fleenor
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