- [Neha] Howard Stern is weighing in
on Gabrielle Union and
Julianne Hough's departure
as judges from America's Got Talent.
And the former AGT judge
is blaming none other
than creator and judge Simon
Cowell for helping to foster
what Stern calls "a boy's
club" on the NBC series.
During a Sirius XM show on Monday,
the radio host criticized Cowell's process
of selecting the judging panel saying,
"He sets it up that the men stay
"no matter how ugly [the men] are,
"no matter hold old they are,
"no matter how fat they are,
"no matter how talentless they are.
"He replaces the hot chicks
"with hotter chicks and younger chicks."
Stern who served as a judge on AGT
for four seasons before
exiting the show in 2015
goes on to question why
the show doesn't consider
replacing fellow judge Howie Mandell
who's the longest serving
judge having joined in 2010
or even replace Cowell himself noting,
"This is the ultimate
example of a boy's club."
After NBC confirmed that Union
and fellow newcomer Hough
would not be returning to AGT,
a report of toxic culture
and even a public outcry sparked
by tweets from Union's husband Dwayne Wade
over her dismissal have fueled speculation
over the show's treatment
of people of color.
Many on social media have
called to boycott the series.
The backlash against the NBC
show continued over the weekend
with Time's Up and other
Hollywood actresses
throwing their support behind Union,
and SAG-AFTRA confirming on Sunday
that it's now investigating
the star's departure
from the series.
Amid the backlash, AGT
producers broke their silence
on the controversy over the weekend
saying in a statement
that they would be working
with Union's representatives
on the matter,
and adding, "We remain committed
"to ensuring a respectful workplace
"for all employees and take very seriously
"any questions about workplace culture."
Prior to Union and Hough joining Season 14
is singer Mel B and model Heidi Klum
served as judges with Mandel and Cowell
from Season's 8 through 13.
For more on the story,
head to http://www.thr.com,
and until next time for The
Hollywood Reporter News,
I'm Neha Joy.
(whooshing sound)
