With a title as sensational as The Man with 1000 Kids, it is no shock that the newest Netflix docuseries about prolific sperm donor Jonathan Jacob Meijer is skyrocketing up the streamer’s charts only a day after its launch. Nonetheless, whereas many are captivated by the story, Meijer himself is much from happy together with his portrayal.
A number of girls featured within the docuseries allege that Meijer misled them in regards to the variety of youngsters he’s helped conceive. However chatting with the media, the 42-year-old Dutch YouTuber expresses his disappointment, claiming the present misrepresented his objectives as a donor.
“They intentionally known as [the documentary] The Man With 1000 Children, when it needs to be ‘the sperm donor who helped households conceive with 550 youngsters,’” Meijer instructed BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. “From the beginning, they’re intentionally deceiving and deceptive.”
In a 2021 New York Times report, Meijer offered a good decrease determine, stating, “I’ve roughly 250 youngsters. Assumptions of 1,000 are ridiculous. I’m upset by the obsession with the numbers. I grew to become a donor out of affection to assist dad and mom understand their dream. I can’t perceive how anybody can focus solely on numbers and see my donor youngsters as statistics.”
Nonetheless, Meijer revealed to the Independent that he ceased sperm donations in 2019, elevating questions in regards to the supply of the extra 300 youngsters. In that interview, he estimates the variety of youngsters he is fathered to be nearer to 600. This ambiguity maybe explains the “concentrate on numbers” that Meijer finds so troubling.
Meijer, whose makes an attempt to proceed sperm donations have been stymied by a number of European international locations, admits to the Impartial that he grew to become “hooked” on offering sperm to aspiring households. “Generally I might suppose, ‘It’s lots [of children], possibly it is best to cease,’ however then I’d get a brand new message saying, ‘Wow, you might be actually the donor we’ve been searching for.’”
“I discovered it arduous to say no. You’re the man that comes together with the profitable lottery ticket. It’s one thing magical,” he added.
Based on Meijer, the sequence cherry-picks dissatisfied recipients. “I feel Netflix did an amazing job choosing 5 households [who are unhappy] out of the 225 households I’ve helped. The others would positively inform you a special story,” he instructed the BBC.
Apparently, Meijer admits to the Impartial that he hasn’t watched the present. When knowledgeable about among the claims, together with allegations that he competed with fellow donors and combined sperm samples to see whose may “win,” he appeared shocked. “Is that within the documentary?” he requested.
“No, that’s complete slander. It’s insane. Why would I try this? Why would anybody? If that’s within the documentary, be ready—I’ll positively sue your complete Netflix workforce.”
Whereas Netflix has but to deal with Meijer’s claims, The Man With 1000 Children govt producer Natalie Hill stands by the present. “I’ve spent the final 4 years chatting with households affected by Jonathan’s lies. I’ve personally spoken to 45 or 50 households,” she instructed the BBC.
“Fifty households made influence statements to the court docket about his lies and pleaded with the choose to cease him. This continued platform for Jonathan to speak about it being a handful of ladies is totally unfaithful.”
In April final yr, Meijer was barred from donating sperm to fertility clinics by the Hague District Court docket within the Netherlands after it emerged he’d fathered greater than 500 youngsters, The Impartial reported. He is set to be fined 100,000 euros for each violation if he donates once more.
Moreover, an nameless sperm donor alleged within the sequence that Meijer and one other man, recognized solely as Leon, ran an internet site named “Eager for a Baby” to attempt to father as many youngsters as potential. The nameless donor claimed Meijer and Leon combined their sperm samples collectively to play “sperm roulette” to see whom the kid would resemble.
In an e mail to Business Insider, Meijer denied operating the positioning. “I’ve by no means run an internet site; there’s no proof for that. I posted my commercial on the web site within the early years of my donating, 2008-2014,” he wrote. “What Leon did is unclear to me. I met him 4-5 occasions in my life; he handed away two years in the past.”
Referring to Netflix, Meijer added, “I’ll take authorized motion for slander. That is insane! I’ll take authorized motion, not solely due to the blending however for different claims as properly.”
SL RECOMMENDS
Like most web sites, Socialite Life makes use of affiliate hyperlinks the place obtainable, which implies we earn a little bit fee in case you click on by way of and purchase one thing. Additionally, as Amazon Influencers, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Final replace on 2024-07-05 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Pictures from Amazon Product Promoting API