America’s Got Talent-AGT: Gabrielle Union files complaint over America’s Got Talent exit
Gabrielle Union has filed a complaint against Simon Cowell and his Syco Entertainment partners over her dismissal from America’s Got Talent.
The actress exited the show after just one season at the end of 2019 and maintains her departure came as a result of complaints she made about the “toxic” working environment behind the scenes, referencing harassment, inappropriate behaviour, and misogynistic conduct.
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Union sat down with the TV programme’s bosses at the end of last year to outline her issues and the producers carried out an independent investigation into her claims. Last week, as the 2020 season of AGT began, they pledged to improve reporting processes behind the scenes thanks to Union’s complaints about diversity off-camera.
NBC, Fremantle and Syco officials issued a joint statement about the results from the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the firing of the former judge and concluded that “no one associated with the show made any insensitive or derogatory remarks about Ms. Union’s appearance, and that neither race nor gender was a contributing factor in the advancement or elimination of contestants at any time.”
“While the investigation has demonstrated an overall culture of diversity, it has also highlighted some areas in which reporting processes could be improved,” the statement continued. “NBC, Fremantle and Syco share Ms. Union’s dedication to diversity and inclusion in the industry. We continue to remain committed to having an inclusive environment for everyone associated with the show, and to upholding AGT as one of the most diverse programs on television.”
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Now, Union has responded with her intent to sue Cowell, Syco, Freemantle Productions North America, and Universal TV by filing a harassment, discrimination, and retaliation complaint with California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing.
As part of the document, obtained by Deadline, she claims NBC Entertainment Chairman Paul Telegdy directly intervened in the investigation, sparked by her complaints, to “silence and intimidate” her.
Hollywood lawyer Bryan Freedman, who previously helped Megyn Kelly win a multi-million-dollar payout from NBC following her 2018 exit from the network, has signed on to represent the star.
He wrote: “On or about February 4, 2020, Telegdy threatened Union through her agent and warned Union’s agent that Union had better cease from pursuing her claims of racism while filming AGT. Union’s agent was shocked that the Chairman of NBC Entertainment was attempting to threaten and intimidate Union. Union’s agent could not recall another instance in his career when a senior executive at a network had threatened and intimidated an employee during an ongoing workplace investigation…
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“It thus became clear to Union that Telegdy was not merely attempting to silence Union in the media, but attempting to silence Union from making any further comments to the investigator.”
Speaking to Deadline on Thursday, Freeman said, “There is no place for this type of racial bullying in the workplace, and it is going to take more than a Tweet from NBC to demonstrate that NBC intends to create an environment free from racism.”
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Terry Crews apologises to Gabrielle Union for not supporting her after America’s Got Talent exit
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Terry Crews has apologised to Gabrielle Union for failing to support her after she was dismissed from America’s Got Talent.
After the actress filed an official harassment and discrimination complaint against the AGT producers and NBC Universal executives on Thursday, the show’s host confessed he had been inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests sweeping through America and wanted to apologise to the former judge for not having her back when she first criticised the TV talent contest for being a “toxic” working environment.
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“I am privileged as (a) man, in a society that also has sexism built in,” Terry tweeted. “This privilege carries over into my community as a Black man in relationship with Black women. It is in this light I want to make further amends with Black women, and in particular @itsgabrielleu for not recognizing the privilege I have – especially in the workplace- and adding this fact to my earlier apology.”
When asked for a comment about the investigation Union’s firing and complaints had prompted on the Today show in January, Crews insisted he had never experienced racism on America’s Got Talent, calling it “the most diverse place I have ever been in my 20 years of entertainment”.
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NBC Universal bosses and the show’s producers wrapped up their investigation into Union’s dismissal and claims that misogyny and racism lurk behind the scenes on the programme, ruling that nothing was found to suggest Union had been treated unfairly.
The 47-year-old has now filed a harassment and discrimination complaint, in which she accuses NBC Entertainment chairman Paul Telegdy of threatening her over her decision to speak out against racism on set.
The TV bosses have responded by insisting her allegations are “categorically untrue”.
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“We took Ms. Union’s concerns seriously, and engaged an outside investigator who found an overarching culture of diversity on the show,” a statement reads. “NBCUniversal remains committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment where people of all backgrounds are treated with respect.”
Union’s complaint will most likely lead to a lawsuit or arbitration with Simon Cowell, Universal TV, Syco Entertainment, and Fremantle Productions North America.
Meanwhile, the Bad Boys II star’s husband, Dwyane Wade, has stood up for his wife on social media.
“Y’all have deemed her a liar after months of trying to inform y’all of the issues in the work place and also make sure other employees of color that comes after her won’t have the same experiences (sic),” he tweeted. “Instead of looking thru the lens of someone who has been an advocate for the black and brown community, for women and for rape victims.
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“So instead of making sure your work environment is a better place for everyone. Y’all have decided that she what? Made it all up because she lost a job? She’s a black women (sic) in Hollywood she has lost out on many jobs.”
The retired basketball star went on to claim the couple’s house “started being watched” when negotiations between his wife and TV bosses began at the end of last year, adding: “My family started being followed. My daughter couldn’t even go to swim class without us being trailed by people looking for answers. Well y’all have the answers and y’all still don’t wanna listen to them.”
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6.5.2020
