A mother of a would-be child actor has filed a class action lawsuit against the NYS Corporation, claiming the TV production company allegedly cheated her child out of a chance to appear on "Go Iguanas" by moving production to a time her child and others could not attend, after her child allegedly successfully auditioned and the mother paid $9,000 for her child to get the chance to film.
According to the complaint, Chen signed a contract with NYS on Jan. 11, 2023, and paid $9,000 to secure her child's place on "Go Iguanas," a television show starring child actors featured on the Premiere+ service.
According to the complaint, Chen alleges her child was personally auditioned by Michael Palance, CEO of NYS, who is also identified as a defendant in the case.
According to the complaint, Chen claims NYS assured her the show would film at the Universal production lot from July 4-8, 2023. However, later the lawsuit states NYS moved the production dates to a later time that Chen said conflicted with her "prepaid vacation plans," making it impossible for her child to attend the show's filming.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs claim this conduct allegedly violates California state law, because Chen claims she paid a fee, expecting to receive placement of her child on the show in return.
The lawsuit seeks to expand the action to include anyone else who paid NYS under similar arrangements to appear on a television production in the past four years.
The plaintiffs are seeking restitution and the imposition of a constructive trust, among other damages.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorney Ethan Preston, of Preston Law Offices, of Dallas.