Were Hosts Fired for Calling Out Racism on 'America's Got Talent'?
by EG
Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough won't be working on America's Got Talent any more, and they say it's because they were too vocal about problems on the set. They allege that racism and sexism are part of the show's culture, and they were axed after they complained. Read on for details.
Via People.
Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough‘s departure from the America’s Got Talent was reportedly the result of a “toxic” workplace culture at the NBC talent competition show.
News broke on Friday that the two stars — who joined the season 14 AGT judging panel back in February, replacing spots vacated by Mel B and Heidi Klum — would not be returning for the show’s upcoming 15th season.
On Tuesday, a new report by Variety offered some insight into the decision. It claims that while working on the show, Union, 47, had expressed concerns over racially insensitive situations during her time as a judge, including an insensitive joke guest judge Jay Leno made that was later edited out of the episode.
She and Hough, 31, were also both subject to “excessive notes” on their physical appearance, Variety alleges.
A spokesperson for NBC and production company Fremantle responded to such claims with a statement to PEOPLE, saying: “America’s Got Talent has a long history of inclusivity and diversity in both our talent and the acts championed by the show. The judging and host line-up has been regularly refreshed over the years and that is one of the reasons for AGT’s enduring popularity. NBC and the producers take any issues on set seriously.”
Representatives for Hough, Union, Leno, and Simon Cowell‘s Syco Entertainment did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Get the rest of the story at People.
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