Gabrielle Union’s exit from ‘America’s Got Talent’ in the upcoming 15th season has sparked new controversies surrounding the show and has ultimately led to a minted twitter hashtag #BoycottAGT.
In a released publication by Variety on Wednesday, November 27, an insider disclosed to the house that Union and colleague judge, Julianne Hough suffered immense shaming from show producers from one event to the other. In a recalled event by the insider, Gabrielle is said to have been told on several occasions that her rotating hairstyles were ‘too black’ and as such was under the requirement to tone the color down. Hough’s on the other hand, was heavily criticized about her hair, makeup and outfit.
Along the way on the show, show guest Jay Leno, also passed an inappropriate comment about a painting of dogs with show creator Simon Cowell, where he said it looked like it belonged ‘on the menu at a Korean restaurant’, which in reference indicates to the stereotype that all Asian people eat dogs. Variety reports that, Gabrielle pushed for the matter to be addressed by NBC Human resource department, but was never addressed and only edited out form the final production.
Responding to the exit of his wife from the show after a season, former NBA star Dwayne Wade, in a thread of posts on Twitter expressed his concern about the sudden drop-out, but also commended Union for sticking to what she believes, “As proud as I [was] of her being selected as a judge on #AGT- I am even more proud of her [for] standing up for what she stands for and that’s US.”
In the wake of the backlash coming from Twitter, NBC and series producers Fremantle, has issued the following the statement, ” ‘America’s Got Talent’ has a long history of inclusivity and diversity in both our talent and the acts championed by the show. 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.”
The next season of AGT returns with Terry Crews as show host.
