Gabrielle Union returned to her former workplace this week to talk about complaints of toxicity on the America's Got Talent set.
“We had a lengthy 5-hour, and what I thought to be, productive meeting yesterday,” the L.A.'s Finest actress tweeted on Wednesday.
“I was able to, again, express my unfiltered truth. I led with transparency and my desire and hope for real change.”
NBC, in turn, issued its own statement on the matter, claiming that the "initial conversation" with Union "was candid and productive," adding, "While there will be a further investigation to get a deeper understanding of the facts, we are working with Gabrielle to come to a positive resolution.”
Given the storm the ouster has caused, it makes sense for NBC to want to chat with Gabrielle. Stars have come out in support of Union ever since she was ousted from the hit reality series.
Union and Julianne Hough - both of whom spent one season on the series.
Variety subsequently reported that both women were subject to a "toxic culture" on the Simon Cowel-led series.
Union, in particular, was reportedly chastised for her appearance, with reports saying the star was told that her hairstyles were "too black" for the AGT audience.
In addition, it is said that Union found a particular contestant's material to be racially insensitive. The performer was allowed to try out for the show, but the audition did not make it to air.
Then there was the Jay Leno of it all.
"Leno made a crack about a painting on display in a hallway of Simon Cowell, the show's executive producer and judge, surrounded by his dogs," Variety writes, adding in its report:
"Leno joked that the pets looked like something one would find 'on the menu at a Korean restaurant.'"
Union apparently called Leno out, and somehow she was the one to get in trouble for doing so.
In the aftermath of the Variety article going public, NBC and producer Fremantle asserted that America's Got Talent “has a long history of inclusivity and diversity,” while “the judging and host lineup has been regularly refreshed over the years.”
However, the network and producer changed their stance after the backlash from both viewers and the celebrity world, who defended Gabrielle.
“We remain committed to ensuring a respectful workplace for all employees and take very seriously any questions about workplace culture,” NBC and Fremantle said in a new statement.
“We are working with Ms. Union through her representatives to hear more about her concerns, following which we will take whatever next steps may be appropriate.”
It's nice NBC and Fremantle are actually speaking to Union about the matter now because it sure seemed like they wanted to brush it under the rug beforehand.
What are your thoughts on this scandal?
Will you continue to watch AGT?
Hit the comments below.
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