Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)

Gabrielle Union, NBC settle dispute over racism allegation­s

- ByAndrewDa­lton Follow AP Entertainm­ent Writer Andrew Dalton on Twitter: https:// twitter. com/ andyjamesd­alton.

LOS ANGELES ( AP) — Gabrielle Union and NBC saidTuesda­y that they have settled their difference­s in their dispute over her firing as a judge on “America’s Got Talent,” which she said was retaliatio­n for her complaints that the show tolerated racismon the set.

“We’ve reached an amicable resolution,” Union and the network said in a joint statement. “NBC Entertainm­ent appreciate­s the important concerns raised by Gabrielle Union and remains committed to ensuring an inclusive and supportive working environmen­t where people of all background­s are treated with respect.”

Both sides declined further comment, and would not give further details.

Union, known for her roles in the films “Bring It On” and “Bad Boys II,” appeared on the talent showcase created by Simon Cowell for a season, until she and fellow first- year judge Julianne Hough weren’t asked to return.

Variety reported soon after thatUnion, whoisBlack, believed she was fired because she had asked NBC and the show’s producers to respond to an environmen­t that tolerated racist jokes and remarks from judges and producers.

Union gave detailed accounts of the issues in a complaint to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing that she filed in June, saying she received criticism of her hair from producers that were rooted in racism.

“Union, a black woman, was singled out due to her physical appearance and discrimina­ted against by

NBCdue to the fact that her hair did not fit within the white image that NBC apparently sought to convey to the audience,” the complaint stated, adding that a network executive and a show producer “informed Union’s manager that her hair was ‘ too wild’ and that it needed to be ‘ toned down.’”

NBC said in May that outside investigat­ors brought in by the network and producers found that Union’s allegation­s had no basis and no bearing on the decision to drop her as a judge.

NBC said the investigat­ion “found an overarchin­g culture of diversity on the show.”

 ?? EVAN AGOSTINI — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE ?? Gabrielle Union arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 9. Union and NBC say they have settled their difference­s in their dispute over her firing from “America’s Got Talent.” Union had said publicly and in a complaint to the California labor board that she was taken off the show because of her complaints that the environmen­t on the set tolerated racism. But on Tuesday, Union and the network issued a joint statement saying they have reached an “amicable resolution.”
EVAN AGOSTINI — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE Gabrielle Union arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 9. Union and NBC say they have settled their difference­s in their dispute over her firing from “America’s Got Talent.” Union had said publicly and in a complaint to the California labor board that she was taken off the show because of her complaints that the environmen­t on the set tolerated racism. But on Tuesday, Union and the network issued a joint statement saying they have reached an “amicable resolution.”

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