Gabrielle Union Files Discrimination Complaint Against “America’s Got Talent” Producers

Gabrielle Union filed a complaint against the producer’s of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” alleging  she experienced discrimination, harassment, and retaliation during her time on the show.

NBC News reports

The actress filed the complaint with California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), claiming she was forced out of the show for “her refusal to remain silent in the face of a toxic culture at (‘America’s Got Talent’) that included racist jokes, racist performances, sexual orientation discrimination, and excessive focus on female judges’ appearances, including race-related comments.”

Union left the long-running talent competition show in November after only one season as a judge.

The complaint names Universal Television, LLC, Fremantle Productions, Simon Cowell and Cowell’s company, Syco Entertainment as respondents.

NBCUniversal, issued a statement saying, “The allegation that anyone involved in this process threatened Ms. Union is categorically untrue.”

According to NBC News, the allegations in the complaint include:

• Simon Cowell refusing to smoke outside despite requests from Union.
• An act on the show performing in “blackface hands” despite concerns raised by both Union and Cowell.
• Racist comments on the set.
• A producer saying Union’s hair was “too wild” and needed to be “toned down.”

Though Union reported these alleged incidents to various NBC executives and “America’s Got Talent” producers, the companies failed to follow up, leading Union to feel as though she “was the only one policing the show against racism,” the complaint says.

NBC and the Screen Actors Guild launched separate investigations into Union’s claims last year.

The complaint also states that Paul Telegdy, the chairman of NBCUniversal, attempted to “undermine the investigation” by “pressuring Union from providing her true experience of racial discrimination.”

DFEH complaints are often one step closer to lawsuits. The complaint alleges that Union is entitled to recover damages as a result of acts that were committed “with the wrongful intention of injuring Union” and “in conscious disregard” of her rights.