NBC's America's Got Talent

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America's Got Talent Season 14

America's Got Talent (often abbreviated as AGT) is an American talent show competition. "America's Got Talent" was created by Simon Cowell and is co-produced by Fremantle and Syco Entertainment.[1] Each season is mainly run during the network's summer schedule, and has featured various hosts over the course of the program's history.[2]

The "Got Talent" format has had more than 1 billion global viewers since it began airing in 2006 in America and has aired in 194 territories worldwide. "Got Talent" holds the Guinness World Records title as the Most Successful Reality Television Format in history, with more than 70 local versions produced across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.[1]

Racial Bias

Gabrielle Union’s Discrimination

Gabrielle Union. Steve Granitz/WireImage

Gabrielle Union is one of America's Got Talent season 14 judges. However, she left the show in November 2019 after only becoming a judge of the show for one season. In June 2020, after leaving America's Got Talent it was alleged she witnessed "racist and inappropriate behaviour", was labeled as "difficult" and was "punished for speaking out". Claiming there was a toxic work environment on the show and alleged she was sacked for speaking out against racism and sexism. [3] She filed a discrimination complaint against judge and creator Simon Cowell, production companies Fremantle Productions North America and Syco Entertainment, and Universal Television.[4]

In an interview with Variety, she spoke of problematic issues she encountered on the set from her very first day, but also detailed alleged racism — allegations which first surfaced in November in a report from the same news outlet. "I signed up for the experience of being a part of a show that hails itself as the biggest stage in the world,” Union told Variety. “Super diverse, and one about giving people an opportunity to shine where they otherwise probably wouldn't.” She added, “What could go wrong?" [5]

In the opening statement of the claim, it mentions “racist jokes, racist performances, sexual orientation discrimination, and excessive focus on female judges’ appearances including race-related comments” that Union had to face during her time on America’s Got Talent. The complaint goes on to point out specific instances that the Union felt were racist or discriminatory. They were all previously mentioned in an interview she did with Variety.[6]

About Cowell in particular, she said that he would smoke directly next to her on the soundstage causing her to fall extremely ill. She did make it known to producers that she is allergic to cigarette smoke. Union said that Simon smoking on set was an example of a literal toxic work environment and she “ended up staying sick for two months straight.” This was a violation of the California law that bans smoking in the workplace.[6]

"[I was] coming on to a set and you are literally met with the very definition of a toxic work environment, and it's being carried out by the most powerful person on the production," Union said of Cowell's smoking. "I couldn't escape. I ended up staying sick for two months straight. It was a cold that lingered, and turned into bronchitis, because I couldn't shake it. It impacted my voice, which affects my ability to do my job."[7]

Union was subjected to a very specific critique — that her rotating hair styles were “too black” for the audience of “AGT,” a note she received over half a dozen times, according to four sources with direct knowledge of the exchanges who spoke on the condition of anonymity.[8] Union also reportedly complained to producers after a white male contestant auditioned with an act where he portrayed people of color like Beyoncé and emerged with black hands.[9]

During the audition, a white male performer from Italy rapidly cycled through a series of singer impressions—including one of Beyoncé Knowles. “His hands appeared as black, meant to be a character accent, three witnesses to the audition said,” Variety reports. Union recommended the contestant be removed from the line-up. Indeed, the audition was cut.[10]

Another report from Vulture, published the following day, detailed a clash between Union and the show’s producers. This time, about whether Dylan Gilmer, a ten-year-old Black rapper, was an act that “America can get behind.” Union felt the answer was yes, but producers were leaning more towards a dance troupe from Texas comprised of white performers. “She felt producers were implying that American audiences couldn’t get behind a 10-year-old Black rapper, a viewpoint she felt was racist,” Yashar Ali writes for Vulture.[10]

Speaking to Variety in May of 2020, Union shared what she hopes to accomplish: Creating a more equal workplace for everyone. “At the end of all this, my goal is real change—and not just on this show but for the larger parent company. It starts from the top down,” Union said. “My goal is to create the happiest, most high-functioning, inclusive, protected and healthy example of a workplace.”'[10]

"When Gabrielle Union informed NBC of racially offensive conduct during the taping of America's Got Talent, NBC did not 'stand' with her in 'outrage at acts of racism,'" Union's attorney, Bryan Freedman, said in a statement to CNN at the time. "Instead, NBC did not care enough to either promptly investigate Ms. Union's complaints or even ask HR to get involved. Rather, NBC stood against her and directed its 'outrage' at Ms. Union for whistleblowing about the racially offensive conduct she experienced while working for NBC on America's Got Talent."[11]

NBC Response to the Allegation

America's Got Talent's home network has responded to the allegations published by various media outlets. On December 1, NBC and the companies that produce America’s Got Talent—Fremantle and Cowell’s Syco Entertainment—issued a joint statement.[10]

"We have a shared passion to make America’s Got Talent a positive, inclusive and diverse show that is open to all individuals from any country or background. We are proud and grateful that our contestants and audiences support our ongoing mission, which is represented in the incredible people who participate in the show each year. We have heard from contestants and talent alike that their experience on AGT has had a positive impact on their lives. When we heard Ms. Union had concerns about her time on the show, we took them extremely seriously.

NBC, Fremantle and Syco immediately engaged an outside investigator who conducted more than 30 interviews to review the issues raised by Ms. Union. While the investigation has demonstrated an overall culture of diversity, it has also highlighted some areas in which reporting processes could be improved.

Through the investigation process, it has been revealed that no one associated with the show made any insensitive or derogatory remarks about Ms. Union’s appearance, and that neither race nor gender was a contributing factor in the advancement or elimination of contestants at any time. The investigation has shown that the concerns raised by Ms. Union had no bearing on the decision not to exercise the option on her contract.

Through the investigation process, it has been revealed that no one associated with the show made any insensitive or derogatory remarks about Ms. Union’s appearance, and that neither race nor gender was a contributing factor in the advancement or elimination of contestants at any time. The investigation has shown that the concerns raised by Ms. Union had no bearing on the decision not to exercise the option on her contract.

Gabrielle union tweet.png

NBC, Fremantle and Syco share Ms. Union’s dedication to diversity and inclusion in the industry. We continue to remain committed to having an inclusive environment for everyone associated with the show, and to upholding AGT as one of the most diverse programs on television."

In December, Union tweeted that she had a “lengthy 5-hour” meeting with NBC, Fremantle and creator/judge Simon Cowell's company Syco Entertainment about her firing from the show. She called it “productive” and said she was “able to, again, express my unfiltered truth. I led with transparency and my desire and hope for real change.” More recently, she talked with Variety about her experience and how she hopes to inspire "real change, and not just on this show but for the larger parent company." It starts from the top down,” she says. “My goal is to create the happiest, most high-functioning, inclusive, protected and healthy example of a workplace.”[9]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 About the Show. nbc.com. Retrieved Jan 22, 2021.
  2. America's Got Talent. wikipedia.com. Retrieved Jan 22, 2021
  3. Gabrielle Union: America's Got Talent judge settles over show departure. September 30, 2020. bbc.com. Retrieved Jan 22, 2021
  4. Rosen, Christopher. Gabrielle Union Files Discrimination Complaint Against America’s Got Talent. June 5, 2020. fanityfair.com. Retrieved Jan 22, 2021
  5. Byrne, Suzy. Gabrielle Union breaks silence about alleged racism on set of 'AGT' — as NBC investigation into her firing finds no racial bias. May 27, 2020. yahoo.com. Retrieved Jan 22, 2021
  6. 6.0 6.1 Agathe, Samantha. Deeper Look Into Gabrielle Union’s Discrimination Complaint Against ‘AGT’ Executives Including Simon Cowell. June 5, 2020. talentrecap.com. Retrieved Jan 22, 2021
  7. Drysdale‍, Jennifer. Gabrielle Union Files Discrimination Complaint Against Simon Cowell, NBC and More Over 'AGT' Exit . June 4, 2020. etonline.com. Retrieved Jan 22, 2021.
  8. Donelley, Matt. Inside ‘America’s Got Talent’: Ousted Judges Had Complained of Toxic Culture (EXCLUSIVE). Nov 26, 2019. variety.com. Retrieved Jan 22, 2021.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Rice, Lynette. Investigation into Gabrielle Union's America’s Got Talent exit finds no racial bias, 'derogatory remarks'. May 27, 2020. ew.com. Retrieved Jan 22, 2021.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Nicolaou,Elena. Gabrielle Union Files Discrimination Complaint Against America's Got Talent. Jun 4, 2020. oprahmag.com. Retrieved Jan 22, 2021.
  11. France, Lisa Respers. Gabrielle Union opens up about 'America's Got Talent' investigation and racism. June 18, 2020. cnn.com. Retrieved Jan 22, 2021.