PHOTOSGabrielle Union Claps Back After Terry Crews Denies Problems With Racism On 'America's Got Talent' Set
Jan. 27 2020, Updated 3:31 p.m. ET
Gabrielle Union clapped back after former America's Got Talent costar Terry Crews denied that the show had a racist work environment. Terry was quick to note that, given his gender, he couldn't speak on the allegations that there was also sexism on set. After Terry made his comments, Gabrielle took to Twitter to defend herself.
"First of all, I can’t speak for sexism because I’m not a woman, but I can speak on behalf of any racism comments. That was never my experience. In fact, it was the most diverse place I have ever been in my 20 years of entertainment," Terry said during an interview on Today on January 23.
Terry went on to point out that Gabrielle herself had never outright made the racism and sexism claims that allegedly led to her firing. "When you look at what the allegations were about, it was given by an unnamed source. My thing is … it’s funny because I believe you should listen to women, you should always believe women, so I asked my wife what I should do. She was like, ‘First of all, if it’s coming from an unnamed source,’ because Gabrielle Union has not made any statement to this day about any of these allegations publicly, ‘if she hasn’t made a statement, why would you?’” he added.
Terry's comments didn't sit well with Gabrielle and she took to Twitter to vent her frustrations. "Truth telling, wanting change & having MULTIPLE witnesses who bravely came forward to let EVERYONE know I didn't lie or exaggerate, really exposes those who enthusiastically will throw you under the bus, forgetting quickly who stepped up 4 THEIR truth," she wrote.
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She continued, "Why anyone would gleefully get up on TV and tell lies that NO ONE disputed ... But we already know. Can someone please ask abt what happens to all that diversity folks are talking about BEHIND THE SCENES. Like, legit ... where the hell is all that diversity in the production though homie? In the decision making ranks who control the fate of the diversity in front of the camera? Maaaaaan ... We all agreed to let the investigation be completed before speaking but if we doing this ... ohhhhh baby let's gooooooooooo! Let's also talk about where the diversity is in the hair & makeup dept for contestants that DOES NOT reflect all that diversity that hits the stage. Let's Google the execs that run the show & ask follow up ?? about THAT egregious lack of diversity. Let's discuss the facts."
Gabrielle's firing sparked a SAG-AFTRA investigation. "We take issues of workplace health and safety very seriously. We immediately reached out to Gabrielle's representatives when these reports came to light. It is our practice to work closely with members who reach out to us and their representatives in instances like this, as that usually affords the best protection and best resolution for the affected member. For certain matters, our investigation and enforcement needs to happen independently and we are prepared to handle this issue accordingly, as warranted. Our enforcement action is usually handled confidentially to protect the member involved, and we typically do not publicize these matters unless the member requests that we do so. While we have taken steps to investigate this matter, we have nothing to report now," the labor union said in a statement in December 2019.
According to a report by Page Six, Sofia Vergara had a two-hour meeting with AGT executives and NBC president Paul Telegdy on December 18 to discuss being a possible replacement for Gabrielle.
What do you think of Gabrielle's response to Terry's defense of AGT? Sound off in the comments below!
