*Gabrielle Union is speaking out yet again about her experience on “America’s Got Talent” and NBC’s investigation into her claims of racism on the set.
During a recent appearance on “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,” the actress touched on the killing of George Floyd, civil rights and her decision to call out racism in Hollywood.
“I thought it was the easiest show,” Union said of joining AGT as a judge, per PEOPLE. “How hard is it to … watch jugglers? That’s what I thought I signed up for.”
Union said problems began from the start.
“Day one, Simon Cowell is smoking cigarettes inside. I’ve worked a long time. I’ve worked with all kinds of people. I’ve never experienced that,” she said.
“When your boss — the person who has the ability to determine who gets opportunities and who doesn’t — doesn’t believe that the law applies to him or the rules apply to him, and he does it in full view of NBC, Fremantle and Syco and no one cares about Simon Cowell exposing all of these employees to second hand smoke, that’s day one,” Union continued.
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Speaking up is scary asf & emotionally debilitating & naming names is scary asf & the risks of retaliation are real. However the reckoning is upon us & in order to create real change & protect each other, the truth is required. I appreciate the support. pic.twitter.com/IR7w65E6Df
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) June 17, 2020
“What message do you think that sends to anyone that has an issue with the very real racism and the lack of accountability? And it goes on and on and on,” she said.
She then talked about NBC’s investigation into her claims, which she thought was going to be “independent.”
“I decided to participate in this investigation. … Silly me, I thought ‘independent’ was independent. But when NBC and [producers] Fremantle and Syco pay for that investigation, they control it,” she said.
“They turn over what they believe to be inflammatory things, or things that are not advantageous to me,” she added.
Union claims NBC chairman Paul Telegdy threatened her agent.
” ‘Gabrielle better watch who she calls a racist,’ ” she said Telegdy told her team.
“In the middle of an investigation about racism and discrimination? This is what’s happening from the top of the company,” she continued.
“There has to be an increase in representation across the board from the top to the bottom,” Union said of Blacks in Hollywood.
“We have to be able to be okay with change that doesn’t always benefit us,” she explained. “Some people believe that … the only way to lead is to center yourself in every argument. But what I’m learning throughout this whole process is, sometimes the best way to lead is to get out of the way and make room for someone else. We have to dismantle the whole thing. We can’t put a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound.”
Scroll up and watch Gabby’s interview with Trevor Noah via the YouTube clip above.
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