Gabrielle Union-Wade finally reveals reasons for leaving her judge role on “America’s Got Talent” in November 2019.
Speaking with Variety, the actress spoke out about negative moments she experienced while on the set of the popular competition show. She had raised concerns with producers but felt being looked upon as difficult.
Union discussed several issues like how the Executive Producer Simon Cowell’s smoking allegedly made her unwell because she is allergic to cigarette smoke.
The decision about whether to complain was difficult when someone is “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 said.
NBC and AGT’s producers said they took her concerns “extremely seriously”, and they “had no bearing” on her exit.
They referred the BBC to media reports saying the investigation concluded that Union’s claims were unfounded.
“The investigation has shown that the concerns raised by Ms Union had no bearing on the decision not to exercise the option on her contract,” a statement said.
Though hesitantly, she raised the problem with producers, but was told that “effectively, nothing was going to change”, according to Variety.
“I ended up staying sick for two months straight,” Union said. “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.”
Cowell’s spokesperson told Variety that “when he was directly informed of the smoking complaint during the first couple of days of the season, he immediately changed his behaviour and the issue was never raised again”.
Union raised the issue of hair and make-up being inadequate for contestants from minorities. Although, according to Variety, roughly half of the hair and make-up staff were people of colour.
Her complains includes racist jokes and excessive focus on female judges’ appearances, including race-related comments.
A statement about the producers’ investigation into her comments said: “We have heard from contestants and talent alike that their experience on AGT has had a positive impact on their lives.”
“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.”
Gabrielle Union-Wade had initially signed up for AGT because it would give her “the experience of being a part of a show that hails itself as the biggest stage in the world,” one that is “super-diverse” and prides itself as “giving people the opportunity to shine where they otherwise probably wouldn’t.”
Watch her interview with Variety while speaking on her experience.
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