The investigation into what happened behind the scenes of America’s Got Talent continues, as NBC continues to look into complaints of toxic culture on set reportedly made by former judge Gabrielle Union.
After a five hour fact-finding meeting held Tuesday with both NBC and Gabrielle, the network announced it will be probing further with its investigation, Variety reports.
“The initial conversation was candid and productive,” an NBC spokesperson said in a statement. “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.”
Gabrielle herself confirmed the meeting on Twitter, calling it “productive.”
“We had a lengthy 5-hour, and what I thought to be, productive meeting yesterday. I was able to, again, express my unfiltered truth. I led with transparency and my desire and hope for real change,” she wrote.
We had a lengthy 5-hour, and what I thought to be, productive meeting yesterday. I was able to, again, express my unfiltered truth. I led with transparency and my desire and hope for real change.
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) December 4, 2019
Earlier this week, it was revealed that the poor treatment Gabrielle claims to have both endured and witnessed had sparked an investigation by actors union SAG-AFTRA, which said it plans to look into the claims about the culture of racism and sexism on the show. In addition, Simon Cowell’s SYCO Entertainment— the company that produces ‘AGT’— released a joint statement with NBC stating that both parties were working with Gabrielle and remained “committed to ensuring a respectful workplace for all employees and take very seriously any questions about workplace culture.”
As The Ashley previously told you, a racially insensitive joke from guest judge Jay Leno was among the grievances that allegedly took place on the ‘AGT’ set, as well as Gabrielle and fellow ousted judge Julianne Hough receiving “excessive notes on their physical appearance.” Julianne, who performed during Wednesday’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting on NBC and is set to star in an upcoming NBC holiday special alongside her brother Derek, has continued to deny these claims.
When asked during an interview with People this week to speak about it, Julianne became visibly uncomfortable and seemed to be dancing (excuse the pun) around answering the question.
“I just believe that, and value in the highest regard, that everybody has a voice and should be heard, first and foremost,” Julianne told People. “I believe that the paradigm of the workplace and how you do business with people now, it’s shifting and I think that the people that really want to see change happen are going to authentically and positively and integrally do that. That’s all I really have to say about that.”
Julianne added that she’s handling her firing from ‘AGT’ just fine, noting that she’s “good” and “totally and utterly” loves herself… We’re sure she also “totally and utterly” loves the “so many projects with NBC” she has coming up.
Former @AGT Judge @juliannehough Opens Up After Firing: 'I'm Good… I Totally and Utterly Love Myself' #PeopleNow pic.twitter.com/7rlmZGCNNA
— People (@people) December 4, 2019
On Thursday, Julianne told Page Six she supported Gabrielle for “speaking her truth and starting a conversation,” and went on to also praise NBC for “showing up and starting a narrative.”
In addition to the Jay Leno incident and the alleged notes on the female judges’ appearances, another on-set complaint, according to Variety, was Simon’s frequent indoor smoking, which reportedly resulted in Gabrielle developing an ongoing bronchial infection, as she is allergic to cigarette smoke.
The investigation is ongoing…
(Photos: NBC, Instagram, Twitter)
5 Responses
It’s called Millenniumism and never taking accountability for any action or lack thereof. I find it humorous, that after only 1 year, she’s gone and so is “Oh I wanna dance with somebody.” Yet you had 2 women, one black one white, who were on the show for numerous years. These same 2, one black one white, just didn’t fit in. To be honest, it was obvious watching the shows. ALWAYS be weary from a woman scorned. She was fired, she didn’t fit in, neither of them did. So here’s the stone. So pathetic.
She was supposedly fired from AGT yet has her own special on NBC? Of course she’s not gonna say anything bad!
Oh come on.. While the practice of eating dog in Korea has greatly diminished a small percentage still does. How is it racism if it is an actual fact that a minority of South Koreans do in fact eat dog meat??
It is perpetuating a stereotype.