Earlier this year, Terry Crews kicked up some dust following his comments about America's Got Talent. The popular competition series has been at war with former judge Gabrielle Union after she alleges she was fired for reporting instances of unhealthy workplace conditions, racism, and misogyny. She recently filed a formal complaint against NBC and AGT producers, and although Terry Crews apologized to Gabrielle Union back in February, he's addressing her once again.

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After Union's allegations against the show became public, Crews, who has hosted the show, sat down for an interview. He was asked about his experiences and shared that contrary to what Union faced, he loved AGT and it was a wonderful work environment. He was accused of being tone-deaf and faced backlash, but he remained firm that he doesn't care about what anyone thinks of his opinions, not even members of his family.

He would later apologize, and now he's returned once again now that the Black Lives Matter and George Floyd protests have him doing a bit of reflection. "The murder of George Floyd has forced me to search my heart to find out what more I can do, as a human being, as a citizen, and more specifically as a Black man, to ensure our community can not only survive but thrive in this new world," he tweeted. "Whites have always had privilege in a society that has systemic racism built in, a fact that has been proven over and over again with the senseless deaths of unarmed Black men and women— with no one being held accountable."

"But I also see that I am privileged as man, in a society that also has sexism built in. This privilege carries over into my community as a Black man in relationship with Black women," Crews continued. "It is in this light I want to make further amends with Black women, and in particular @itsgabrielleu for not recognizing the privilege I have - especially in the workplace- and adding this fact to my earlier apology. If we are to move forward as a people we must do the work required to heal the relationships in our community first. To whom much is given, much is required. I have a huge responsibility —and I vow to honor it." 

If you think Gabrielle Union is slowing down with her war against America’s Got Talent, think again. The former judge of the popular competition series has had a bone to pick with production ever since she said she got axed. Gabrielle Union has claimed that after she complained of enduring microaggressions, unhealthy work environments, and racially-insensitive language she was booted, and now the actress is taking her accusations to court.

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According to a report made by Deadline, Gabrielle Union has filed a complaint against the show, “Simon Cowell, Universal TV, Syco Entertainment and Fremantle Productions North America.” She’s filed a discrimination and retaliation complaint claiming that she endured “racist and misogynistic conduct” while employed with America’s Got Talent. Documents also state that “NBC Entertainment chairman Paul Telegdy directly intervened in a probe over those claims in an effort to ‘silence and intimidate’ her.”

The court document reads: “On or about February 4, 2020, Telegdy threatened Union through her agent and warned Union’s agent that Union had better cease from pursuing her claims of racism while filming AGT. Union’s agent was shocked that the Chairman of NBC Entertainment was attempting to threaten and intimidate Union. Union’s agent could not recall another instance in his career when a senior executive at a network had threatened and intimidated an employee during an ongoing workplace investigation.”

Gabrielle includes in her complaint that “Cowell’s cavalier smoking indoors, blackface performers, complaints not being properly passed on to HR, ‘racist’ jokes by guest Jay Leno and more” were regular occurrences on set. Telegedy reached out to Deadline and denied all of the allegations against him.

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Gabrielle Union has officially filed a complaint against NBC Universal after they failed to negotiate with her regarding the "toxic" work culture on the set of America's Got Talent, and Dwyane Wade has a lot to say now that he can finally speak on the matter. Gabrielle's negative experiences during her time as a judge on AGT were initially revealed back in November of last year, and after months of attempting to work with the network on how to solve their internal issues, the actress has filed a complaint against NBC Universal, Fremantle, Simon Cowell, and SYCO Entertainment, and will be filing a separate lawsuit against Cowell.

Following past claims of racism and toxicity on the set of America’s Got Talent, Gabrielle Union is dishing on all things AGT, including her former co-judge’s use of blackface back in 2013. Late last year, it was reported that Gabrielle had been fired from the talent competition show after reporting a racist and inappropriate joke told by Jay Leno on the set. Gabrielle later came forward about her experience as a judge on the show, detailing the “toxic work environment” on set. However, it was later revealed that NBC would be conducting an internal investigation into the claims made about the show. As the investigation is ongoing, Gabrielle isn’t at liberty to discuss many details, but she did open up to Variety about a few of her negative experiences, and even commented on then-fellow judge Julianne Hough getting hired even after doing blackface as recently as 2013.

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While recalling some of the more distressing situations during her time at AGT, Gabrielle described an instance in which a white contestant wore black gloves to portray a black performer. “I’m a part of a show that hired one of my co-workers who had an unfortunate incident doing blackface,” she said, referring to Julianne dressing up as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren—a character played by black actress Uzo Aduba on Orange Is The New Black—for Halloween in 2013. “I’d like to trust her at her word that she learned her lesson, and has educated herself amid the consequences she faced and is hopefully a better person. But you would think that perhaps the show and NBC might be more conscientious in exposing that, and it would be taken seriously. I took it seriously.” Read the full interview with Variety here.

The relationship between Gabrielle Union and America’s Got Talent was one that quickly turned sour. She was brought on as a judge, but according to Union, the work environment not only became physically unhealthy for her as she said she endured Simon Cowell’s perpetual indoor smoking, but it was an emotionally damaging experience, as well. The 40-year-old actress has shared stages and sets with thousands of other entertainment industry professionals in her 25-year career, but she recently shared with Variety why America’s Got Talent was one of the most toxic.

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On her first day on the AGT set, Union, who claims she’s allergic to cigarette smoke, complained of Cowell’s habit to production. She said it was like “coming onto a set and you are literally met with the very definition of a toxic work environment, and it’s being carried out by the most powerful person on the production.” There were allegations of racially inappropriate remarks, including Jay Leno reportedly making a remark about Cowell’s dogs being like the food at a Korean restaurant. Howie Mandel, who is a self-professed germaphobe, couldn’t handle sitting next to Union whose nose was constantly running due to allergies.

“I signed up for the experience of being a part of a show that hails itself as the biggest stage in the world. Super diverse, and one about giving people an opportunity to shine where they otherwise probably wouldn’t,” Union says, adding, “What could go wrong?” The actress says she hopes that changes have been implemented so that the future of their work environment is more “inclusive.”

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The America’s Got Talent scandal involving Gabrielle Union has certainly put the popular television program on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Recently, Gabrielle Union made a swift exit from the series over rumors of discriminatory practices by production. The specific accusations made against the show have been enigmatic, but speculative reports suggest that Union often complained about racist jokes and comments made by her co-stars. Eventually, she was released, and there’s been an investigation into the allegations.

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Terry Crews came forward in defense of AGT as he was once a host of the show, citing he had a wonderful time on the set filled with both diversity and inclusivity. He seemed to dismiss Union’s claims and faced an onslaught of backlash over his comments. Heidi Klum, who acted as a judge on the series from 2013-2018, also defended the show last month. She, too, became the subject of criticism from the public, and she noted a particular insult that stood out to her.

On Wednesday (February 5), Page Six reportedly caught up with Klum at the amfAR gala at Cipriani Wall Street. “A lot of people got mad at me,” the German-American actress and model revealed. “I was called, for example, ‘a white woman’… I think it is important for everyone to speak their truth. I think that when there is a story, it should be told. I had a different story.” She added, “I can only speak to what I saw — it has nothing to do with what color I am. I am a human so I just looked at what I saw.”

It’s safe to say that Joe Budden isn’t a fan of Terry Crews. The Joe Budden Podcast hosts tackled the topic of the actor’s recent controversial statements on their show in light of Crews issuing an apology to Gabrielle Union. The actor came out to defend the reputation of America’s Got Talent in the wake of Gabrielle parting ways with the series over accusations of discrimination. His response to the backlash also caused a stir, but later Crews took to Twitter to issue a public apology to Gabrielle, a woman who supported him after he came forward with #MeToo accusations against a high-powered Hollywood agent.

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Crews previously revealed that he was at a party when the agent groped his private area. He claims that because he rejected the advances, his career has struggled. Budden spoke about Crews’ allegations and said that he believes that “Terry Crews enjoyed getting his d*ck touched by that white man. That is a Joe belief.” Budden laid out the circumstance surrounding Crews’ story and was unwavering with his opinion that there was more to it than meets the eye.

“Here comes Terry f*ckin’ Crews to cape on behalf of America’s Got Talent, saying that in his experience—and I don’t know what affiliation he has with the show ’cause I don’t give a f*ck about Terry Crews,” Budden began. “He was saying in his experience, whatever Gabrielle saw was wrong. They’re mad friendly to black people, Asian people, Russian people….it’s the most diverse workplace that he has ever been apart of. And now he’s on a press run doubling down on that saying my wife told me to say it, my wife said to stand firm and do what I think is right and I ain’t see discrimination, I don’t’ know what [Gabrielle’s] talking about.”

He added, “Terry Crews don’t speak for black men. He don’t speak for me. Terry Crews been shuckin’ and jivin’ for however many years for massa. It speaks to black women and why they feel unprotected by black men.” Check out the scathing clip below.

Terry Crews has been in the news this week for not supporting Gabrielle Union after she was ousted from America’s Got Talent. Crews served as the host of the competition show at the same time that Union served as one of its judges, but Crews recently claimed that AGT doesn’t suffer from any diversity issues, as Union has alleged. When Crews discussed this situation during a recent appearance on The Today Show, he insinuated that the criticisms leveled at the show lacked credibility since they came from “an unnamed source.” However, it’s been public knowledge that Union’s firing was the cause for NBC’s investigation into AGT and people are now shaming Crews for not standing by her. 

In a new interview with VLADTV, former AGT host, Nick Cannon, was asked to share his thoughts on this story. First, he explained what he believes to be the problem with the show. “It was some eye-opening events that occurred that really shed light on some cultural insensitivities – ultimately, when it comes to women, when it comes to how the show is produced,” he said. “I believe, as a producer – I was over at AGT for a damn near decade – you kinda see these things as a giant machine, but if you really take the time to step back, you see some things that are truly not fair… It’s an institutional issue.”

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Cannon then expressed his unwavering support for Union. While his sights are more set on the institutional issues that underlie this whole predicament, he suggests that Crews should believe Union’s account the same way people believed Crews when he came forward about being sexually assaulted. “I love Terry Crews, but it gets to that place… again it’s an institutional thing, so I’m not blaming him. We get excited about the occupation, we get excited to work for the man and we gon’ defend the man cause he gave me a job. It don’t matter what you saw because I stood firmly by him when my former agent accosted him… Especially when it comes to our queens, when it comes to Gabby, I don’t care. Whatever she said, if it happened, I’m rocking with you.” 

Crews also received backlash after he tweeted that the only woman he owes anything to is his wife. 

There are many racist and discriminatory practices within the film and TV industry that have been exposed on numerous occasions. Most recently, Gabrielle Union was fired from America's Got Talent after she reported Jay Leno for a racist joke. At that time, Terry Crews was also holding it down as a host on the show but it appears that he didn't witness the same type of "offensive" events that occurred on the set.

Crews sat down on the Today show where he was questioned about Gabrielle Union's practices. As he attempted to avoid "mansplaining," if you will, he did say that he's more than qualified to speak on racism. "That was never my experience on America's Got Talent. In fact, it was the most diverse place I have ever been in my 20 years of entertainment," he explains. "The top 10 acts were Asian, women, older, younger, Black, white—it was everything in the gamut."

Sometimes it's better to just keep your mouth shut but Crews did not get that memo. He added, "My thing is—you know, 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."

Apparently, he nor his wifey got the memo that Gabrielle Union and her husband said they wouldn't release any statements until the investigation was completed.

Gabrielle Union let off a slew of tweets denying that she ever lied about the situation, despite what Crews suggested. Check her response below. 

NBC has revealed that their investigation into claims of racial insensitivity and discrimination on the set of the their show, America's Got Talent, is ongoing, and that they "take anyone’s critique who comes to work here incredibly seriously." In November, the public was made aware of the "toxic culture" on set of AGT, after two of the competition show's judges, Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough, did not have their contracts renewed. The two female judges were reportedly criticized for their appearances often, and Gabrielle was specifically told that the hairstyles she wore onscreen were "too black." Furthermore, after Jay Leno made a racist remark towards Asian people during an AGT segment, Gabrielle tried to report the inappropriate joke. Her complaints were not taken seriously by higher-ups, and it was reported that she was ultimately fired for this reason.

NBC addressed the issue at the time, stating, "'America’s Got Talent' has a long history of inclusivity and diversity in both our talent and the acts championed by the show. The judging and host line-up has been regularly refreshed over the years and that is one of the reasons for AGT’s enduring popularity. NBC and the producers take any issues on set seriously.” After Gabrielle received plenty of public support, NBC initiated closed door meetings to discuss the issue with her. On December 4th, Gabrielle revealed on Twitter, "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."