Sophia Layne, best known for competing on The Circle US season 3, has shared a series of statements accusing another Netflix reality TV star of homophobic and transphobic remarks. That cast member happens to be Bryton Constantin, who first competed as Player 432 on Squid Game: The Challenge and subsequently appeared in season 2 of Perfect Match — Netflix's all-stars-esque dating series.
"Let's talk about Bryton [Constantin] from Perfect Match," Layne said in her first Instagram video. "For the record, I have never met this man… thank god. I have never talked to him via DM, nothing. If you don't know, my name is Sophia. I was on season 3 of The Circle, and I'm a lesbian. Why that's important? Please hold."
She continued, "[Within] the 'Netflix reality universe,' word travels fast. There is not a lot of us, so things get around. Having said that, here are just a few things that other queer talent for Netflix have come forward and said that this man has allegedly said.
Layne then listed a series of alleged statements from Constantin that include: "If a trans man hit on me, I would punch them in the face," "Being trans is a mental illness," "Gay men aren't real men," "Bisexuality, yeah, doesn't exist," "The LGBTQ community doesn't deserve." She alleged that there are "plenty of other things" he has said, adding: "I know that there is nothing that I could say or do to try and beg him to apologize or change his ways. He's going to be like this forever. That's not what I'm here for."
The Circle alum added:
"I am here to demand that Netflix comes forward and listen to all of the queer people who have come to you, who are posting publicly, who have talked to producers and said, 'Hey, this guy is saying these things, it's making me uncomfortable, it's hurting our entire community.'"
"Get him the f*ck out, ok?" Layne continued in a second video shared on her Instagram grid. "If you are going to continue to cast queer people on reality television shows, you cannot cast people like him… point blank period. If you accidentally do cast people like him once, you know, I get it. Maybe they didn't say those things. There [were] no red flags in their interview. But then you have multiple people come forth and say things and then you have proof of him saying things. Yeah, you get them the f*ck out. You don't put them on a second show, you know?"
She continued, "There is no three strikes. You have one strike and they're out. Any other platform, if they hear about racism, bigotry, or any kind homophobia, they take those people out and apologize immediately. Where are you at, Netflix?"
Layne concluded:
"As someone who was through the ringer by Netflix, I understand how they operate. They're going to pretend like they don't hear any of this. They're going to pretend like they had no idea that Bryton was saying these things because he makes a really f*cking good villain for reality TV. And they're going to want to keep that villain so they can keep their ratings high. (…) Apologize, take his platform away. Oh, happy Pride Month, Netflix."
Out reached out to Layne, Constantin, and Netflix for comment. As of this writing, only Layne has responded.
"The only message I want to get out is that we know there will always be a million bigots like Bryton," Layne tells Out, "but it's Netflix's job to assure the queer community that they chose to stand against and not WITH people like him. If Netflix would like to continue to hire queer talent, they can NOT hire people like Bryton."
Layne also shared a series of Instagram stories furthering her claims against Constantin.
"Hey Netflix!! Me again!! We aren't stopping until you say something. Your queer talent deserves an apology for you ignoring them and continuing to cast homophobic/ transphobic people [smiley face]."
In a subsequent post, Layne showed her followers that she was removing her association to The Circle US from her Instagram bio.
"Taking this out cause it's embarrassing now honestly."
Layne also brought up other LGBTQ+ cast members who have been in Netflix reality shows.
"And all of you other queer Netflix reality people who aren't speaking up right now because your scared it will hurt you being on another show?" Layne said. "Just know that I see you. And I feel absolutely awful for you. Things need to change and [you're] too selfish too care."
The Circle alum added:
"And for all of you Netflix reality production team, PR managers including the HEAD of the Netflix reality universe who watch [every] story and see my every post and don't say anything, I see you too. Feel free to unfollow me since [you're] silent."
Layne's last Instagram story as of this writing reads:
"Instead of continuing to post him for virality, how about you take away his platform and apologize for not doing so sooner. Absolutely disgusting so many higher ups have seen my stuff and this made it out this morning. OVER IT."
Perfect Match season 2 is streaming on Netflix.