The brains behind Syco Entertainment makes the move after NBC met with fired Gabrielle Union in an effort to get to the bottom of her complaints over 'toxic culture' behind the scenes.
- Dec 9, 2019
AceShowbiz - Simon Cowell has reportedly amped up his legal team amid a new investigation into Gabrielle Union's complaints of a "toxic culture" behind the scenes at "America's Got Talent".
The actress served as a judge for the TV talent contest's latest season, but was axed last month (November 2019) amid reports she raised a number of race and gender-related issues that were not reported to network bosses at NBC.
Her departure, and that of fellow judge Julianne Hough, is currently under investigation by union officials at SAG-AFTRA, and Cowell, who created the series and serves as an executive producer, has apparently responded by retaining Los Angeles-based litigator Larry Stein, a source told Deadline.
The move comes after NBC executives called the actress in for a chat last Tuesday, December 03, in an effort to get to the bottom of her complaints, and now both parties are working towards closure.
"The initial conversation was candid and productive," a network spokesman told the outlet. "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."
Union added on Twitter: "We had a lengthy 5-hour, and what I thought to be, productive meeting yesterday. I was able to, again, express my unfiltered truth. I led with transparency and my desire and hope for real change."
Multiple reports suggest Union had issues with the way she was asked to dress for the show, while also complaining about a racially-insensitive joke guest judge Jay Leno made backstage. She also reportedly protested when a white contestant darkened his face to look more like Beyonce Knowles for an audition skit.
