Dwyane Wade backs Gabrielle Union after she exits ‘America’s Got Talent’ over reported racial issues

D-Wade praised his wife for standing up for her beliefs over a racial controversy on the show's set, followed by her contract not being renewed.

Nov 27, 2019

If there was question over whether or not Gabrielle Union was taken off NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” after she called out racial insensitivity on the show, her husband, retired NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade, made it seem more than likely through a tweet on Wednesday.

Union, along with co-star Julienne Hough — who have only been on the show since February, will not be returning for its 15th season. But some behind the scenes drama with another co-star, comedian Jay Leno, turns out to be part of the reason.

READ MORE: Gabrielle Union is bringing ‘Black Girl Magic’ to NBC

According to Variety, Leno was taping a short segment for the show, while visiting as a guest host in April when he made joke about a painting of producer Simon Cowell, surrounded by his dogs. He cracked that they looked like they could be “on the menu at a Korean restaurant,” people who claim to have heard him told the magazine.

Union, getting wind of this, reportedly urged producers to go to NBC’s human resources department about it, saying it was important to know that the joke would be offensive. The issue did go to a network executive on the set, but never got to that department. The joke was cut from the August 6 episode.

Variety said that the incident is one of several examples of a toxic culture on the set of AGT. When the show’s season ended, Union and Hough’s contracts were not renewed, the magazine reported Friday, even though both were up for renewal.

“ ‘America’s Got Talent’ has a long history of inclusivity and diversity in both our talent and the acts championed by the show,” said a statement from production company Fremantle USA. “The judging and host line-up has been regularly refreshed over the years and that is one of the reasons for AGT’s enduring popularity. NBC and the producers take any issues on set seriously.”

Neither Union nor Leno have commented on the issue.

But Union is also reported to have gotten harsh criticism from show producers, on her hair being “too Black” for audiences, according to four anonymous sources that Variety said had knowledge of the situation. In another incident sources said Union and others were concerned over a white male performer being insensitive while impersonating several famous singers, including Beyoncé.

READ MORE: Why Gabrielle Union says Dwyane Wade won’t let ‘old white man’ Santa to take credit for Christmas presents

Union suggested that the performer be taken from the lineup, but producers blew her off. After pressing further, though, his live audition was removed. Blogger Love B. Scott wrote last weekend that Union was removed from the show over her complaints over a “problematic” environment.

Wade, in support of his wife, sent a follow up tweet praising her for the job she did on the show.

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