Skip to main content

Gabrielle Union and NBC reach settlement over her workplace racism claims after she was fired as a judge on America's Got Talent

Gabrielle Union and NBC have reached a settlement following her workplace toxicity accusations after she was fired as a judge on America's Got Talent. 

Union and NBC issued a joined statement on Tuesday saying they had settled their differences in their dispute over her firing as a judge, which she had said was retaliation for her complaints that the show tolerated racism on the set. 

'We've reached an amicable resolution,' Union and the network said in the statement. 

'NBC Entertainment appreciates the important concerns raised by Gabrielle Union and remains committed to ensuring an inclusive and supportive working environment where people of all backgrounds are treated with respect.'

Both sides declined further comment and would not give further details.

Sources told Deadline that Union received 'significant' compensation from the network as part of the settlement.  

Gabrielle Union and NBC said on Tuesday they had reached a settlement following her workplace toxicity accusations after she was fired as a judge on America's Got Talent

Gabrielle Union and NBC said on Tuesday they had reached a settlement following her workplace toxicity accusations after she was fired as a judge on America's Got Talent

Union, known for her roles in the films Bring It On and Bad Boys II, appeared on the talent showcase created by Simon Cowell for one season last year until she and fellow first-year judge Julianne Hough weren't asked to return.

She said soon after that believed she was fired because she had asked NBC and the show's producers to respond to an environment that tolerated racist jokes and remarks from judges and producers, as well as a toxic workplace.

Union had also complained about Cowell smoking on set. 

Union gave detailed accounts of the issues in a complaint to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing that she filed in June.

Union alleged she was harassed and discriminated against because of her race and experienced retaliation for reporting these problems. 

Among the discrimination issues that Union raised was criticism of her hair from producers that she says were rooted in racism.

'Union, a black woman, was singled out due to her physical appearance and discriminated against by NBC due to the fact that her hair did not fit within the white image that NBC apparently sought to convey to the audience,' the complaint stated. 

Union appeared on the talent showcase created by Simon Cowell for one season last year until she and fellow first-year judge Julianne Hough weren't asked to return. She said soon after that she believed she was fired because she had asked NBC and the show's producers to respond to an environment that tolerated racist jokes

Union appeared on the talent showcase created by Simon Cowell for one season last year until she and fellow first-year judge Julianne Hough weren't asked to return. She said soon after that she believed she was fired because she had asked NBC and the show's producers to respond to an environment that tolerated racist jokes

Union gave detailed accounts of the issues in a complaint to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing that she filed in June. Union alleged she was harassed and discriminated against because of her race and experienced retaliation for reporting these problems

Union gave detailed accounts of the issues in a complaint to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing that she filed in June. Union alleged she was harassed and discriminated against because of her race and experienced retaliation for reporting these problems

It added that a network executive and a show producer 'informed Union's manager that her hair was "too wild" and that it needed to be "toned down."' 

NBC said back in May that outside investigators brought in by the network and producers found that Union's allegations had no basis and no bearing on the decision to drop her as a judge.

At the time, NBC said the investigation 'found an overarching culture of diversity on the show'.

Union has previously said her problems began when she first joined the show and found Cowell smoking on set. Union, who has been allergic to cigarette smoke since she was a little girl, fell ill

Union has previously said her problems began when she first joined the show and found Cowell smoking on set. Union, who has been allergic to cigarette smoke since she was a little girl, fell ill

The review, did however, acknowledge unspecified 'areas in which reporting processes could be improved.'   

Union has previously said her problems began when she first joined the show and found Cowell smoking on set. 

Union, who has been allergic to cigarette smoke since she was a little girl, fell ill.

'I couldn’t escape. I ended up staying sick for two months straight. It was a cold that lingered, and turned into bronchitis, because I couldn’t shake it. It impacted my voice, which affects my ability to do my job,' Union said in an interview with Variety earlier this year.

Union revealed bringing up Cowell's smoke to producers was a dire choice for her.

'Coming onto a set and you are literally met with the very definition of a toxic work environment, and it’s being carried out by the most powerful person on the production,' she told Variety.

Producers told her there had been complaints about his smoking in the past but effectively, nothing would change.

After her complaint, Cowell claims he changed his smoking habits and the issue wasn’t raised again. He said he didn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable and as soon as he learned of her concerns he smoked outdoors. 

Weeks later guest judge Jay Leno was on the show and reportedly cracked a joke that Cowell’s pet dogs looked like food items found on a menu at a Korean restaurant, peddling the stereotype that Asian people eat dog meat.

'My first big interview in this industry, the first person who allowed me to come on their talk show, was Jay Leno. I’ve always held him in high regard, but I was not prepared for his joke,' Union said.

'I gasped. I froze. Other things had already happened, but at this point, it was so wildly racist,' she added.

Producers reportedly said they would edit his comment out.

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o