Ex-America’s Got TalentjudgeJulianne Houghhas addressed former colleagueGabrielle Union‘smeeting with NBCon Wednesday following their controversial exits from the competition show.
Hough toldAccessHollywoodthat she supports open and “respectful” dialogue.
When asked if she’s spoken directly with Union, Hough said she has “not.”
She expanded on that duringthe third hour ofToday.
“I have reached out. I think we both have been very busy … hopefully when I get back to L.A. later this afternoon, we can have a conversation,” she said.
She applauded her former costar for taking a stand — and the network for hearing her out.
“We need to start conversations, and I just commend Gabrielle for speaking her truth and starting a conversation. I’m really proud of NBC as well for also showing up and starting a narrative, and that’s what’s going to change the work place, and the paradigm that we’ve been working in for many many years and is shifting, and I think that’s really exciting,” she said. “Life is crazy, and sometimes you can’t control things, and when obstacles come your way, you have to be graceful about it and have integrity, and I think that people with authenticity and integrity will create change.”
Union, 47,tweetedWednesday that she had met with the television broadcasting company and expressed her “hope for real change.”
“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,” Union wrote.
Trae Patton/NBC
After the meeting, NBC announced that it will further investigateAmerica’s Got Talent’sproduction company.
“The initial conversation was candid and productive,” an NBC spokesperson said in a statement to PEOPLE.
“While 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,” the spokesperson said.
America’s Got Talent.Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty
Along with Union’s reported allegations of racial insensitivities, both she and Hough, 31, were also subjected to “excessive notes” on their physical appearance, sources alleged inVariety‘s report. In one instance, Union was reportedly told her ever-changing hairstyles were “too black” forAGT‘s audience, while Hough reportedly received constant criticism on her hair, makeup and wardrobe.
In a statement to the publication at the time, Hough — who is set to star in two upcoming NBC Christmas specials — denied that she had a negative experience on the show and said she was “happy to continue my working relationship with NBC.”
Hough toldPeople Nowthis week that she believes“everybody has a voice and should be heard,”adding, “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.”
On Dec. 1, NBC, Fremantle and Syco Entertainmentreleased the following joint statement: “We remain committed to ensuring a respectful workplace for all employees and take very seriously any questions about workplace culture. We are working with Ms. Union through her representatives to hear more about her concerns, following which we will take whatever next steps may be appropriate.”
Union has not yet issued an official statement directly addressing the allegations.
source: people.com
