Gabrielle Union, NBC reach settlement over racist workplace allegations

NBC 'appreciates the important concerns raised by Gabrielle Union,' their joint statement said.

Sep 30, 2020

Nearly a year after Gabrielle Union was fired as a judge of America’s Got Talent, the actress and NBC have reached an “amicable resolution” over her claims of misconduct and racial discrimination at the network.

Union alleged that she suffered through racist comments from network staff, including the show’s executive producer, Jay Leno.

Some of the racial remarks were reportedly directed at Union’s hairstyles, media outlets reported.

Actress Gabrielle Union and NBC have reached an “amicable resolution” over her claims of misconduct and racial discrimination at the network. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

“We’ve reached an amicable resolution,” NBC officials and Union said in a concise joint statement released Wednesday morning. “NBC Entertainment appreciates the important concerns raised by Gabrielle Union and remains committed to ensuring an inclusive and supportive working environment where people of all backgrounds can be treated with respect.”

Deadline is reporting that Union received “significant” compensation from the network.

Back in June, the actress shared details of her allegations of racial insensitivity and work-environment toxicity with Trevor Noah on The Daily Social Distancing Show. She told the host that fellow judge and show producer Simon Cowell frequently smoked cigarettes indoors and that she is allergic to cigarette smoke.

“No one cares about Simon Cowell exposing all of these employees to second-hand smoke. That’s Day One, that’s within the first hour,” she said. “What message do you think that sends to anyone that has an issue with the very real racism and the lack of accountability? And it goes on and on and on.”

On the Daily show, Union also said she was cooperating with the network’s investigation into the toxic work environment at AGT.

During an appearance on TODAY in January, America’s Got Talent host Terry Crews insisted that he never witnessed nor was subjected to any racism or discriminatory behavior behind the scenes at AGT in contrast to Union’s statements.

He later apologized for his statements.

Aside from Crews, Union received an outpouring of support from celebrities, including fellow actress Kerry Washington, after her complaints.

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