Byron Baes cast member Billy Otto quits the controversial Netflix show

A Byron Baes cast member has quit the Netflix show just days after the cast was leaked, saying he ‘felt embarrassed’ to be associated with the program.

Billy Otto confirmed on Instagram on Thursday he no longer had anything to do with the ‘docu-soap series’ which outraged locals before filming even began.

The musician shared a photo of himself at the beach holding an anti-Byron Baes poster, and explained in the caption why he’d decided to pull out.

‘Yep, I feel embarrassed’: Byron Baes cast member Billy Otto has quit the Netflix show just days after the cast was leaked, saying he ‘felt embarrassed’ to be associated with the program

Billy, whose name appeared in The Daily Telegraph‘s leaked cast list on Tuesday, said he did not believe the show would be a ‘true representation of the soul of Byron’.  

In addition to saying the Netflix production ‘doesn’t align’ with his personal values, he also claimed it did not receive blessing from the local Indigenous Elders.

‘Yep, I feel embarrassed to have been associated with this show,’ he said.

Billy explained he’d initially agreed to join the show after a casting producer had expressed an interest in his music and advocacy for men’s mental health.

He's out! Musician Billy confirmed on Instagram on Thursday he no longer had anything to do with the 'docu-soap series' which outraged locals before filming even began

He’s out! Musician Billy confirmed on Instagram on Thursday he no longer had anything to do with the ‘docu-soap series’ which outraged locals before filming even began 

Fooled? Billy explained he'd initially agreed to join the show after a casting producer had expressed an interest in his music and advocacy for men's mental health

Fooled? Billy explained he’d initially agreed to join the show after a casting producer had expressed an interest in his music and advocacy for men’s mental health 

Billy claims it wasn’t until later that he learned what the show was really about.

‘I began to understand later the true nature of the program, and it became clear to me that I didn’t align with the ethos of the show… I don’t believe that the world needs a show like this right now,’ he said.

He said he wanted to help preserve the ecology of the Bryon region and didn’t support the ‘hyper-gentrification’ of the area.

Billy suggested that Netflix ditch their show about ‘influencers’ and instead make a more thoughtful series ‘working alongside Bundjalung Elders and capturing the dreamers, creatives and custodians that help make this place special’.

Realisation: Billy claims it wasn't until later that he learned what the show was really about

Realisation: Billy claims it wasn’t until later that he learned what the show was really about 

Uncovered: Billy's powerful message to Netflix comes after the Byron Baes cast members were revealed by The Daily Telegraph earlier this week. Pictured: Elias Chigros

Uncovered: Billy’s powerful message to Netflix comes after the Byron Baes cast members were revealed by The Daily Telegraph earlier this week. Pictured: Elias Chigros

Billy’s powerful message to Netflix comes after the Byron Baes cast members were revealed by The Daily Telegraph earlier this week.  

Joining the cast are former reality stars Nathan Favro, from The Bachelorette, and Elias Chigros, from Love Island Australia.

Co-creative director of local boutique BISQUE Hannah Brauer will also appear, alongside Byron Bay ‘It couple’ Dave Frim and Saskia Wotton. 

Coming soon: The controversial new series will feature a variety of local influencers, including Elle Watson

Coming soon: The controversial new series will feature a variety of local influencers, including Elle Watson

Secret's out: Filming for the series is already underway in Byron Bay. Pictured: Saskia Wotton

Secret’s out: Filming for the series is already underway in Byron Bay. Pictured: Saskia Wotton

Others in the cast include investment company employee Elle Watson, influencer Jade Kevin Foster and spiritualistic therapist Simba Ali.

Rounding out the cast is Kyle Sandilands’ former assistant-turned-manager Alex Reid, fashion designer Jess Bell and her model sister Lauren. 

Claim to fame: Joining the cast are former reality stars Nathan Favro (pictured), from The Bachelorette, and Elias Chigros, from Love Island Australia

Claim to fame: Joining the cast are former reality stars Nathan Favro (pictured), from The Bachelorette, and Elias Chigros, from Love Island Australia

The unveiling of the cast comes after a handful of so-called Byron locals recently paddled out into the ocean to protest the show, while others stood by with placards that read ‘give Netflix the flick’ and ‘consult traditional owners’.

Ben Gordon, owner of The Byron Bay General Store, led calls to snub production – and is asking other local businesses to do the same.

‘They’ve simply turned up unannounced and they are proposing to drag our name through the mud, and make millions of dollars without offering anything back to the community,’ he told Today hosts Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon.

Making a name for herself: Co-creative director of local boutique BISQUE Hannah Brauer (pictured) will also appear, alongside Byron Bay couple Dave Frim and Saskia Wotton

Making a name for herself: Co-creative director of local boutique BISQUE Hannah Brauer (pictured) will also appear, alongside Byron Bay couple Dave Frim and Saskia Wotton

Mr Gordon said the prospective reality series is ‘a complete misrepresentation of who we are as a community’.

‘Today, what we’ve seen, is the real Byron, the community coming together for issues that we believe in,’ he said.

Nick O’Donnell, Netflix’s director of public policy, recently travelled to the NSW town ‘for crisis talks with stakeholders’ as the backlash continues to grow.  

Life of luxury: Others in the cast include investment company employee Elle Watson, influencer Jade Kevin Foster (pictured) and spiritualistic therapist Simba Ali

Life of luxury: Others in the cast include investment company employee Elle Watson, influencer Jade Kevin Foster (pictured) and spiritualistic therapist Simba Ali