NBC, Union Meet Over AGT Tenure

Actress Gabrielle Union, whose abrupt exit as a judge on the NBC reality show “America’s Got Talent” sparked controversy, said Wednesday she had a “productive” meeting with the network executives and was able to present her “unfiltered truth” regarding her rocky short-lived tenure on the show.

Union was let go from the show after appearing as a judge for one season after the actress reportedly raised allegations regarding several sexist and racially inappropriate incidences on set, Variety magazine first reported last month.

Union met with NBC executives and show producers Tuesday to address her concerns, reports NBC News.

We had a lengthy 5-hour, and what I thought to be, productive meeting yesterday. I was able to, again, express my unfiltered truth. I led with transparency and my desire and hope for real change.

— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) December 4, 2019

NBC said in a statement Wednesday that the “conversation was candid and productive.” The network went on to say that there will be a “further investigation to get a deeper understanding of the facts, we are working with Gabrielle to come to a positive resolution.”

Among the alleged incidents reported on set was an issue involving a racist joke by comedian and guest judge Jay Leno that Union felt was offensive and wanted reported to the company’s human resources department, according to the magazine. However, “it was never escalated to that department,” Variety reported.

Separately, Union was allegedly told several times that her hairstyles were “too black” for the audience, Variety reported.

Union allegedly also expressed concern over "a white male performer crossing a line in portraying people of color,” producers allowed the performance to proceed but it was later cut from the episode, the magazine said.

The network and Screen Actors Guild have launched investigations into Union’s claims of what has been reported as a “toxic work environment” and “racially insensitive situations.”

Union, Hough

Meanwhile, Julianne Hough is breaking her silence on her controversial exit from "America's Got Talent," which came at the same time as fellow judge Gabrielle Union's departure.

During an interview on People Now, Hough was asked regarding "America's Got Talent": "How are you handling that situation and is there anything you wanted to clear up?"

“I would just say that – my goodness. I just believe and value at the highest regard that everybody has a voice and should be heard, first and foremost,” she said. “And then I believe that the paradigm of the workplace and how you do business and work with people now, it’s shifting, and I think that the people that really want to see change happen are going to authentically and positively... do that. And so that’s all I really have to say about that.”

Hough is set to star in NBC's Christmas special "Holidays with the Houghs," which also features her brother Derek. She's also making an appearance during the network's annual "Christmas in Rockefeller Center."