*Gabrielle Union is speaking out about what went down on what she says was “the very definition of a toxic work environment” during her time on “America’s Got Talent.”
Her latest comments come as the investigation into her accusations of racism on the set uncovered no wrongdoing, Page Six reports.
Union was fired from the music competition show last November, amid claims of “racially charged incidents” involving contestants and producers, as well as complaints that Gabby’s hairstyles were “too black” and a young Black contestant was booted from the show because AGT needed a performer that “America could get behind.”
On Wednesday, Variety published a lengthy interview with Union about her experience on the show.
“I signed up for the experience of being a part of a show that hails itself as the biggest stage in the world,” Union said. “Super diverse, and one about giving people an opportunity to shine where they otherwise probably wouldn’t. What could go wrong?”
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State of the Union: @itsgabrielleu breaks her silence on what happened at #AmericasGotTalent and shares how she’s working toward a more inclusive Hollywood https://t.co/KWGakAE6bn pic.twitter.com/anWgz1lj1D
— Variety (@Variety) May 27, 2020
Among Union’s complaints last November was that executive producer and co-judge Simon Cowell violated public health laws by smoking indoors.
Gabby claimed he endangered her health.
“I couldn’t escape,” she said of Cowell’s smoking. “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.”
Her constant runny nose also upset co-judge Howie Mandel — who has been open about being a germaphobe.
“It was challenging to tend to my illness without being made to feel like I’m responsible for my own sickness. It put me in a position from day one where I felt othered. I felt isolated,” she told the magazine, “I felt singled out as being difficult, when I’m asking for basic laws to be followed. I want to come to work and be healthy and safe and listened to.”
In a statement to Page Six, a rep for the network and the show’s producers said the investigation into Union’s claims found there was nothing toxic about her working conditions on set.
“While the investigation has demonstrated an overall culture of diversity, it has also highlighted some areas in which reporting processes could be improved,” the rep stated.
The rep noted that the investigation has “revealed that no one associated with the show made any insensitive or derogatory remarks about Ms. Union’s appearance, and that neither race nor gender was a contributing factor in the advancement or elimination of contestants at any time.”
A spokesperson added, “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.”
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