Sharon Osbourne is sharing her thoughts on Gabrielle Union's departure fromAmerica's Got Talent.
Osbourne opened up about the drama on Monday's episode of The Talk, offering her perspective as a former judge on the talent competition. As she revealed, she had her "own problems" with the show's network, NBC, before her exit after season seven in 2012.
"It's hard, because everybody's experience on a show is different, and I was at that show for six years. I didn't get let go. However, I left. And that's the truth. I left because of NBC, not because of the show. However, I had my own problems with the network," Osbourne revealed.
"I don't know about any of her concerns about the show. Obviously, there wasn't anybody of color on the panel when I was there, so I honestly can't say," she continued. "But when I was there it was, you know, a great show to work on. The crew and everybody was amazing to me, everybody, except the network."
A source told ET that although Union is "done with AGT," it's her hope that she can "work with NBC to help improve the culture surrounding the show and studio."
"Gabrielle has always been an activist and wants to make positive change so nothing like this happens again," the source said.
A Variety report published last month claimed that before Union's exit, she had urged producers of the show to report concerns about the show's workplace culture to NBC's Human Resources department. According to Variety, among the alleged incidents that occurred during Union's time on the show was Jay Leno's set, in which he reportedly joked that Simon Cowell's dogs looked like they would be "on the menu at a Korean restaurant," as well as an act that Union found racially insensitive during the audition rounds. Additionally, sources claimed to the outlet that Union received specific critical network notes on her hairstyles, which were allegedly deemed "too black" for the AGT audience, and that she received these notes numerous times. A network insider denied the volume of those notes to Variety, claiming that there were only notes about "hair continuity" for both her and Julianne Hough.
Shortly after news broke of Union's departure, her husband, Dwyane Wade, claimed she was fired. Celebs and fans spoke out in support of Union on social media.
In a new statement to ET on Sunday, NBC, Fremantle and Syco said they were working with the actress to hear her concerns. "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," the statement read.
On Monday's The Talk, Sheryl Underwood praised Union's "courage."
"I'm always proud when someone in the workplace has the courage to stand up for what is right. And she had a great courage," the co-host shared. "It is something that we need to talk about... things that are appropriate and things that are inappropriate…Times are changing and we all must change with them."
See more on Union in the video below.
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