{"id":545703,"date":"2026-03-17T07:16:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T07:16:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/545703\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T07:16:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T07:16:12","slug":"reality-show-producers-spark-backlash-with-request-for-unattractive-people-on-sign-at-filming-location","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/545703\/","title":{"rendered":"Reality show producers spark backlash with request for unattractive people on sign at filming location"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new reality TV series filming at Bondi Beach<\/a> has sparked debate after posting a sign requesting unattractive people to stay out of shot.<\/p>\n

The sign, displayed at Bondi Pavilion, informed the public filming was underway for FLEX, which is described as a micro-reality series \u201cdocumenting the lives of eight good-looking Bondi locals\u201d.<\/p>\n

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Reality show producers spark backlash with \u2018gross\u2019 detail on sign<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you enter this area, you may be captured on film,\u201d the notice reads.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you think you\u2019re fit and\/or attractive enough to get featured in the background, please make yourself known to our production team.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you feel this isn\u2019t you, please stay out of the shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ProducersProducers of a new reality series have requested unattractive people to stay out of the view of their cameras. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n

The show will also explore themes including the relationship between food and body image, and the \u201cfake it till you make it\u201d pressure faced by young people in affluent areas.<\/p>\n

Sunrise host Nat Barr discussed the sign with Amanda Rose, founding director of Western Sydney Women, on Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cA+ for the honesty but what\u2019s interesting is the show, or the mini-show that they\u2019re doing online … is there to tackle body image issues,\u201d Rose said, pointing out the mixed messaging.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the \u2018fake it \u2018till you make it\u2019 pressures. So it\u2019s contradicting what the show is actually about, which is to make people feel comfortable in their own skin and the pressures of the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut obviously they only care about the fit, lean ones and the pressures they go through, not everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rose said the situation reflects the general nature of social media and reality TV \u201cwhich isn\u2019t real at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Images of the sign circulated online and quickly drew criticism.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t believe they have the gall to write that on a letter and display it publicly,\u201d a Reddit user said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had the ick as soon as I saw the ad, this just proves my instincts were correct. It\u2019s gross and I hope it crashes and burns after the first episode airs,\u201d someone else commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cFake world we live in,\u201d another simply wrote.<\/p>\n

While discussing the sign during the Hot Topics segment<\/a> of Sunrise, Barr questioned whether the sign was \u201cjust a joke\u201d.<\/p>\n

But Rose wasn\u2019t convinced.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey mean it … they don\u2019t want to have an Instagram clip of a normal-sized person in the background,\u201d Rose added. \u201cIt will ruin what they are trying to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Production company addresses reaction to controversial sign<\/p>\n

In a statement shared with 7NEWS.com.au, Ben Davies, founder of Ronde, the production company behind the show, confirmed the sign was intended as a joke to spark conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cFLEX obviously features fit and attractive people, trying to navigate life, career, love and body image in the Eastern suburbs,\u201d Davies said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a very strong association of the Eastern Suburbs with vanity and elitism.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo it was a running joke for the Ronde team to lean into this perception during filming in a way that can drive a bit of conversation around what it is we\u2019re making.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted the public to ask questions, speak to the producers and spread the word.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a convergence of multiple Bondi run clubs during filming this morning, so there were quite a few people who had a good laugh about the sign and nominated themselves to get featured.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"FLEXFLEX is a \u2018micro-reality\u2019 series about young people navigating fitness culture, entrepreneurship and relationships in Sydney\u2019s eastern suburbs. Credit: Ronde<\/p>\n

FLEX is being marketed as Australia\u2019s first \u201cmicro-reality\u201d series. Rather than traditional broadcast-length episodes, the show will feature one to two minute instalments released directly to social media platforms.<\/p>\n

The series, which launched on March 15, follows eight young \u201cstrivers\u201d navigating fitness culture, entrepreneurship and relationships in Sydney\u2019s eastern suburbs.<\/p>\n

Davies said the show will also explore more serious themes, including the relationship between food and body image and the \u201cfake it till you make it\u201d pressure faced by young people in affluent areas.<\/p>\n

FLEX is being marketed as Australia\u2019s first \u201cmicro-reality\u201d series. Rather than traditional broadcast-length episodes, the show will feature one to two minute instalments released directly to social media platforms.<\/p>\n

The series, which launched on March 15, follows eight young \u201cstrivers\u201d navigating fitness culture, entrepreneurship and relationships in Sydney\u2019s eastern suburbs.<\/p>\n

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