Gabrielle Union wants to see more proactive efforts from Hollywood bosses to combat racism in the entertainment industry.
Following her departure from America’s Got Talent after just one season at the end of 2019, the actress maintained her departure came as a result of complaints she made about the “toxic” working environment behind the scenes, referencing harassment, inappropriate behavior, and misogynistic conduct.
During an appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, the star opened up on the investigation into the show that NBC commissioned, insisting that she thought it was going to be “independent”, explaining: “When NBC and (producers) Fremantle and Syco pay for that investigation, they control it.
“They turn over what they believe to be inflammatory things, or things that are not advantageous to me,” Gabrielle alleged. “In the middle of an investigation about racism and discrimination? This is what’s happening from the top of the company.”
She also claimed that “inflammatory” things about her were turned over to the network’s chairman Paul Telegdy, and he used the information against her.
“He then threatens my agent,” the L.A.’s Finest star claimed. “‘Gabrielle better watch who she calls a racist’ in the middle of an investigation about racism and discrimination. This is what’s happening from the top of the company.”
Gabrielle then shared her thoughts on how Hollywood could do better to combat racism, sharing: “There has to be an increase in representation across the board from the top to the bottom. We have to be able to be okay with change that doesn’t always benefit us.
“Some people believe that… the only way to lead is to centre yourself in every argument. But what I’m learning throughout this whole process is, sometimes the best way to lead is to get out of the way and make room for someone else.”
She concluded: “We have to dismantle the whole thing. We can’t put a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound.”
