-The controversy surrounding
Gabrielle Union's
firing from
"America's Got Talent"
has officially sparked
an investigation by NBC
and the largest
performers' union.
Here's why.
Union, an actress best known
in films such as "Bring It On,"
claims she was fired from
the show after raising concerns
about racially
insensitive behavior on set.
Variety first reported
that she was told by producers
that her hairstyles "were 'too
black' for the show's audience".
She was also labeled
as "difficult"
by judge-producer
Simon Cowell
after she complained about him
smoking in the indoor set.
Several celebrities rallied
behind Union
in the aftermath
of the controversy,
including Michelle Williams.
-She's speaking up
for millions of people.
I wanna tell Gabrielle
personally: I loved
every hairstyle, okay?
-her husband, former NBA
player Dwyane Wade,
also came to her defense
after she was fired.
Union has since met with NBC
to express her
"unfiltered truth"
and she discussed
the show's workplace culture.
Julianne Hough, who also exited
the show as a judge
after just one season,
commended her former costar
for meeting with the network.
-And I just commend Gabrielle
for speaking her truth
and starting a conversation.
And I'm really proud of NBC,
as well,
for also showing up
and starting a narrative.
And that's what's gonna change
the workplace
and the paradigm that we've been
working in for many, many years,
and it's shifting and I think
that's really exciting.
