Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and NBC issued a joint statement today pledging to work with Gabrielle Union about her concerns of a “toxic culture” at the popular show, America’s Got Talent.
The statement comes after word leaked out that both Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough were being fired after just one year as judges. Variety reported Tuesday Union expressed dismay over a Korean dog joke that Jay Leno reportedly uttered during a guest appearance on the program. The joke was edited out of the final version, but Union’s efforts to elevate the matter to human resources reportedly were rebuffed.
Union and Hough also received numerous notes from producers about their appearance-with some attention paid to Union’s evolving hairstyles which were supposedly “too Black” for AGT’s audience.
“We remain committed to ensuring a respectful workplace for all employees and take very seriously any questions about workplace culture,” the statement read. “We are working with Ms. Union through her representatives to hear more about her concerns, following which we will take whatever next steps may be appropriate.”
Union today emphasized through a tweet that she would like an apology.
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