After dismissing candidates from the adventure ofDouble occupation for acts of intimidation, the production decided to withdraw them from the screen as of Thursday.
Posted at 6:51 p.m.
Updated at 10:01 p.m.
This was confirmed by Productions J, which produces Double occupationThursday evening by press release.
Despite the three-week gap between episodes, the production team decided to remove from the screen the three candidates who were excluded from the adventure on Wednesday. Isaack, Philippe and Félix packed up for having “acted intimidation”.
The production also announced that all candidates would be made aware of the situation on Sunday. This week’s elimination dinner will feature a discussion with author India Desjardins and UQAM bullying prevention professor Stéphane Villeneuve, to inform the candidates and raise their awareness of non-violence.
This decision follows a series of production interventions with the candidates in recent weeks.
Excerpt from press release
The production indicates that candidates had been warned that their “behaviour was not in accordance with the values of living together with respect”, before the elimination of Jonathan. She also publicly apologized on October 12 for her exclusion.
On September 27, the production team said it had carried out a second intervention with the candidates concerned.
Couche-Tard and Guru leave the ship
On Wednesday, sponsors disassociated themselves fromDouble occupation, including Polysleep, Shop Santé and Okari. Couche-Tard and Guru were added to the list Thursday, in the wake of the controversies.
“While we acknowledge that corrective action has been taken by the production company, we have made the decision to end our agreement with Double occupation, starting now,” Couche-Tard wrote on social media. “After careful consideration, we are making the decision to end our participation in the show,” announced longtime partner Guru.
One of the show’s major sponsors, Groupe Geloso, which owns Bulles de nuit and Shaker Mixologie, welcomed the decision toDouble occupation Thursday evening, by press release. “Bullying has no place in our society today. Significant measures had to be taken and I see that my interventions have borne fruit,” said the company’s president, Aldo Geloso.
“The decision to withdraw the candidates from the adventure was taken well before the official announcement. However, we had to take the time to notify their families and allow them to board the plane and get to their destination,” explains Productions J.
The team reiterated on Thursday that “all candidates who wish to be part of the adventure ofDouble occupation Martinique are subject to a thorough investigation of their criminal background before their selection”.
The production ofDouble occupation also stressed having been made aware of “disturbing allegations concerning one of the candidates already withdrawn”. Those allegations reportedly surfaced earlier this year, she said.
“Out of respect for her approach and to protect the victim, we decided by mutual agreement with her not to react publicly so as not to rush her in her journey. She is currently receiving support from the production, from a lawyer specializing in sexual violence, as well as from all the stakeholders necessary for her support, ”wrote Productions J.