‘America’s Got Talent’: “Toxic Culture” Reportedly Led to Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough’s Departure

Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough‘s departure from America’s Got Talent was anything but amicable, a new report from Variety claims. According to Variety’s Matt Donnelly, both Union and Hough expressed concerns about the “toxic culture” at the NBC competition show, and they repeatedly complained about offensive incidents, including one involving famed late night host Jay Leno. NBC and series producer Freemantle have denied allegations that they fostered an insensitive environment, saying, “America’s Got Talent has a long history of inclusivity and diversity in both our talent and the acts championed by the show … NBC and the producers take any issues on set seriously.”

According to Variety, one of the most contentious incidents between Union and AGT producers occurred in April 2019, when Leno served as a guest judge. While filming a pre-taped segment, Leno reportedly brought up a painting hanging in Simon Cowell’s (an executive producer and judge) house that shows him standing surrounded by his dogs. The late night host joked that Cowell’s dogs looked like something “on the menu at a Korean restaurant,” said four people present on set.

Many AGT employees, particularly “the very few Asian staffers,” felt that the joke was incredibly offensive, and Union attempted to advocate for the show’s minority staffers. She reportedly urged producers to report the joke to NBC human resources, but even after the issue was raised with a network executive, “it was never escalated to that department.” Ultimately, the line was cut from the August 6 episode.

Unfortunately, this is not the only example of what sources tell Variety is a “toxic culture” at America’s Got Talent. The outlet reports that Union and Hough also “received excessive notes on their physical appearance” from AGT producers, while their male colleagues, Cowell, Howie Mandel, and Terry Crews, did not. Insiders close to Hough claim that she was given “constant criticism on hair, makeup, and wardrobe, which impacted her morale and led to tensions” with producers.

Hough disputed this account in a statement to Variety, saying, “I had a wonderful time on America’s Got Talent, I loved working with the cast, crew and producers. I am happy to continue my working relationship with NBC.”

Union was also reportedly subjected to insensitive criticism: she was told “over half a dozen times” that her hair styles were “too black” for AGT viewers, said sources with direct knowledge of the situation. According to Variety, Union declined to comment on the matter.

Like Hough, representatives for NBC and AGT producer Freemantle dismissed the claims made in Variety’s report. “America’s Got Talent has a long history of inclusivity and diversity in both our talent and the acts championed by the show,” they said in a joint statement. “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.”

Late Friday, November 22, multiple outlets reported that Hough and Union would not be returning for America’s Got Talent Season 15. According to Variety, Hough and Union’s could have stayed with the show for another season, but NBC decided not to renew their contracts as the year came to a close. Both judges joined the show when Season 14 debuted this summer; their departure marks only the second time an AGT judge has left after a single season.

For more on the “toxic culture” inside America’s Got Talent, read Variety’s report.

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