Gabrielle Union is breaking her silence for the first time since she was let go from her judge role on "America's Got Talent" last September.
In a new Variety cover story, the "Bring It On" actress spoke out about negative moments she experienced while on the set of the popular reality competition show. These incidents included allegations of both a toxic work environment and other allegations of racism.
Union said she initially signed up for "AGT" because it would give her "the experience of being a part of a show that hails itself as the biggest stage in the world," one that is "super diverse" and prides itself as "giving people the opportunity to shine where they otherwise probably wouldn't."
This isn't what the 47-year-old found, however, as she alleges her time was marred by executive producer and head judge Simon Cowell's on-set smoking, guest judge Jay Leno making a "wildly racist" joke, a "blatantly racist act" by a white contestant who imitated a black performer, and a lack of inclusiveness by those asking for preferred gender pronouns and the hair and makeup department being ill-equipped to deal with talent of color.
Of her experience making a complaint about Cowell -- whom she called "the most powerful person" on the set -- smoking, Union said she was made to feel like her becoming sick as a result of the smoke was her fault.
"I couldn't escape. I ended up staying sick for two months straight. It was a cold that lingered, and turned to bronchitis, because I couldn't shake it. It impacted my voice, which affects my ability to do my job," Union explained. "It put me in a position from day one where I felt othered. I felt isolated. I felt singled out as being difficult, when I'm asking for basic laws to be followed. I want to come to work and be healthy and safe and listened to."
The "Being Mary Jane" actress said she asked herself if it was worth standing up for herself. In the end, she determined it was because "I'm not the only one being poisoned at work."
In other instances -- one involving Leno and another being an audition for the show -- Union said both never made it to air because production decided to not air them.
"You cannot edit out what we just experienced. There is not an edit button in my brain or in my soul," she said. "To experience this kind of racism at my job and there be nothing done about it, no discipline, no company-wide email, no reminder of what is appropriate in the workplace?"
As to the hair and makeup department not being equipped to handle all types of hair and complexions, Union critiqued them for "creating an unequal and discriminatory experience" that begins with the hiring decisions made and the failure to recognize the need.
Union acknowledged there are some at the network "who truly want to be a part of the solution and on the right side of history" but there are others "who want the wheels of change to come to a grinding halt because they feel that their privilege is being challenged."
The "LA's Finest" actress admitted "it's absolutely terrifying to speak truth to power about anything," and she is "trying not to be terrified,' and said "some days are better than others" for her.
“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. My goal is to create the happiest, most high-functioning, inclusive, protected and healthy example of a workplace.”
