Standing Up

Would you believe me if I told you Gabrielle Union was fired from a job? Well...the beautiful Ms. Union was fired from the hit television show, America's Got Talent. We all know Gabrielle Union as an American actress, activist, and author. Union was a judge for season 14 of America's Got Talent, but the season did not go so well.

Union said the working environment was toxic claiming that Simon Cowell, another celebrity judge as well as the owner of the show, was very controlling. She also said that guest judge, Jay Leno, made a racist comment about a painting saying the painting “looked like something on the menu at a Korean restaurant.” An Asian member on the set was upset about the comment and Union also thought it was racist. Union then pushed for that footage not to be aired. Producers were also annoyed with Union because Union would always ask contestants dressed in drag what their preferred pronouns were.

Howie Mandel, another judge, made a comment about a South African black choir saying “Maybe they can sing something from the Lion King.” Union was also the victim of certain microaggressions. Union even received feedback from the producers about her hairstyles being “too black” for AGT’S audience. Cowell, Union, and AGT producers had private meetings to discuss all of the racist and transphobic incidents.

Gabrielle Union was able to voice her opinion to NBC and stand up for what she felt was right. We are all proud of Gabrielle Union and hope they will allow her to return to the show.