Gabrielle Union has not given up hope.
She wants her fans and followers to know this.
The 47-year old actress — who will not return as a judge to America’s Got Talent next season, presumably due to issues she took with the toxic culture on set — jumped on Twitter Wednesday night to provide folks with an update on her unfortunate situation.
“We had a lengthy 5-hour, and what I thought to be, productive meeting yesterday,” Union Tweeted yesterday, adding:
“I was able to, again, express my unfiltered truth. I led with transparency and my desire and hope for real change.”
Union’s contract was not renewed by NBC because, according to Variety and other outlets, she grew upset over a number of factors and a number of incidents that took place backstage.
For instance:
- She was allegedly told by producers that her hairstyle was “too black.”
- She called attention to a racist joke allegedly told by guest judge Jay Leno.
- She didn’t care for producer Simon Cowell’s treatment of herself and other women, which apparently included many “notes” on her appearance.
Union is yet to comment directly on the basis for her firing.
However, NBC acknowledged that it met with the actress on Wednesday.
“The initial conversation was candid and productive. While there will be a further investigation to get a deeper understanding of the facts, we are working with Gabrielle to come to a positive resolution,” a network spokesperson said.
Union has received enormous support from other celebrities in the wake of this controversy, most notably Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo.
“It’s unfortunate that @nbc the same network that protected disgusting men like Matt Lauer and punished women for speaking out or not putting up with it…has not changed their practices or culture,” the veteran actress Tweeted last week, adding:
“I support @itsgabrielleu commitment to speaking up to injustice. It takes courage.”
Julianne Hough, meanwhile, was also let go by NBC.
But she has not leveled any accusations at the network or at any producers, choosing instead to remain above the fray.
The former Dancing with the Stars professional was asked about the scandal on the network’s third hour of TODAY on Thursday while on with brother Derek to promote their holiday special, Holidays with the Houghs.
She sounded glad that Union has met with executives.
“That excites me so much because that is what we need to start conversations and I just commend Gabrielle for speaking her truth and starting a conversation,” said Hough.
“I’m really proud of NBC, as well, for also showing up and starting a narrative and that’s what’s going to change the work place and the paradigm that we’ve been working in for many, many years and it’s shifting and I think that’s really exciting.”
America’s Got Talent is wholly owned by Cowell and his Syco Entertainment.
Said Syco Entertainment, NBC and Fremantle in a statement:
“We remain committed to ensuring a respectful workplace for all employees and take very seriously any questions about workplace culture.
“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.”