Gabrielle Union files discrimination complaint against AGT

Months after multiple sources reported that Gabrielle Union was released from her contract with America’s Got Talent because of her actions as a whistleblower on the show’s "toxic" set, the actor has now filed a harassment case against the reality series' production teams. Additionally, Union named NBC Entertainment Chairman Paul Telegdy in the claim, saying that Telegdy threatened her over speaking out about the many instances of racism that occurred on set.Union's lawyer, Bryan Freedman said in a statement to media that the filing was inspired by NBC's recent showing of support for the current Black Lives Matter movement which he said was in "sharp contrast" to how Union was treated by the company."When Gabrielle Union informed NBC of racially offensive conduct during the taping of ‘America’s Got Talent,’ NBC did not ‘stand’ with her in ‘outrage at acts of racism,'" Freedman said, according to Variety, evoking the language used in NBC's May 31 statement."In sharp contrast to NBC’s recent statement on race, what was truly an 'outrage' was the fact that Paul Telegdy, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, actually threatened Ms. Union in an attempt to silence her from telling the truth about racist actions that took place on the show," he continued. "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."Union and her attorney reportedly also named producers FremantleMedia and Simon Cowell’s Syco as well as NBCUniversal and Telegdy in the filing with California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). Variety also noted that complaints filed with the DFEH are often first steps towards a lawsuit. NBC has denied all claims of discrimination as well as the alleged threatening by Telegdy, saying in a statement to Variety that an investigation by a third party found an "overarching culture of diversity on the show."[video_embed id='1970253']RELATED: Keke Palmer’s empowering talk with National Guard goes viral [/video_embed]Fans were shocked in September 2019 when new judge Gabrielle Union was released from her contract with America’s Got Talent after only one season on the show. Union, along with fellow new judge Julianne Hough, did not have their contracts renewed by NBC despite their massive fan base and popularity among viewers. Following the pair’s exits, multiple sources close to AGT told Variety the women were released in relation to a toxic work environment caused by higher ups.In Union’s case, her dismissal was allegedly the result of the actor acting as a whistleblower for several racially charged incidents on set, including: a racist joke made about Asian Americans by guest judge Jay Leno, a contestant that producers approved to wear blackface, and ongoing criticisms from producers that Union’s hairstyles were "too black" and would alienate viewers. Union spoke to Variety again at the end of May, confirming the claims and detailing other major issues on set, including the fact that she and other employees were subjected to producer and judge Simon Cowell’s indoor smoking.Following Union’s filing with the DFEH, the actor’s husband Dwyane Wade spoke out on Twitter about the treatment their family received after Union’s experiences on AGT were made public.

When these negotiations started my house started being watched and 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. https://t.co/bjnVzug6gi

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) June 4, 2020

AGT host Terry Crews, who along with judge Heidi Klum, initially denied Union’s claims that AGT created a toxic work environment, apologized publicly to Union again on Thursday. This is the second time the host has apologized after admitting in January that he can only speak to his own experience on the show and should not have dismissed Union's claims.

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.

— terry crews (@terrycrews) June 4, 2020

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