Gabrielle Union, NBC reach ‘amicable resolution’ in ‘America’s Got Talent’ dispute
After exiting “America’s Got Talent” and filing a discrimination complaint against NBC, Gabrielle Union has come to an agreement with the network regarding her concerns about racism on the competition program.
On Tuesday, Union and NBC released a joint statement announcing they have come to an “amicable resolution” in the dispute, which dates to the “L.A.’s Finest” star’s abrupt and controversial departure from the competition talent show after just one season on the celebrity judges’ panel.
“We’ve reached an amicable resolution,” the statement reads. “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 can be treated with respect.”
Gabrielle Union has filed a discrimination complaint against NBC for allegedly trying to “silence” her when she reported racist behavior on “America’s Got Talent.”
Shortly after she left “America’s Got Talent” last November, new details emerged, revealing that Union had reported a toxic environment and racist behavior on the set of the talent-search series. NBC then launched an external investigation, which found that Union was not fired for speaking up about her experience — much of which the network denied — but “highlighted some areas in which reporting processes could be improved.”
In response, Union later filed a complaint of employment discrimination, which claimed that NBC did retaliate against her for expressing concerns about “acts of racism” she experienced on the show, including racist remarks allegedly made by NBC employees, as well as by fellow on-camera talent Jay Leno and Howie Mandel.
After investigating Gabrielle Union’s dismissal from “America’s Got Talent,” NBC says no “insensitive or derogatory remarks” were directed at Union.
In her complaint, Union also accused the chairman of NBC entertainment, Paul Telegdy, of threatening her when she spoke up and “secretly planning to undermine” the subsequent external investigation — a claim NBC dismissed as “categorically untrue.”
Telegdy was then fired in July after several other current and former NBC employees told the Hollywood Reporter that the executive had subjected them to racist, sexist and homophobic behavior.
“To hide behind the fact that Telegdy did not call her directly but her agent instead does not absolve him from his wrongful conduct,” Union’s legal team said in June. “Should Mr. Telegdy wish to see phone records or call sheets from the date of his threat, we can make those available for the world to see. It is frankly sad but not surprising that, rather than addressing its own racial discrimination, NBC wants to try and avoid the systemic issues that permeate its company.”
A lot has transpired since NBC fired Gabrielle Union from “America’s Got Talent” after she alleged a toxic and racist culture on the show.
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