NBC is formally investigating America's Got Talent after a meeting with Gabrielle Union, the former judge allegedly ousted after complaining about a toxic work environment.
Union announced on Twitter Wednesday that she had concluded a five hour, "productive" meeting with NBC, and "I was able to, again, express my unfiltered truth. I led with transparency and my desire and hope for real change." NBC also called the meeting "productive" in a statement, saying "there will be a further investigation to get a deeper understanding of the facts" and "we are working with Gabrielle to come to a positive resolution," Variety reports.
Reports emerged in Variety and Vulture last week that Union was not being brought back as a judge on America's Got Talent after she voiced concerns about the show's work environment, including complaining about alleged racist incidents like an offensive joke reportedly made by Jay Leno. She also complained about Simon Cowell smoking indoors, Vulture reports; she is allergic to cigarette smoke. Additionally, Union was told on numerous occasions that her hairstyles were "too black," Variety reports.
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Deadline reports that NBC's further investigation "involves AGT creator and judge Cowell, who seems to be at the center of what went down during Union's one-season stint on the show," also reporting that "the next step in the process for NBC is to have an as yet undetermined independent investigator prioritize moving things forward." SAG-AFTRA has also launched an investigation into the allegations.
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