Terry Crews is getting slammed over claims he didn’t stick up for Gabrielle Union after it was reported that she was fired for bringing up instances of sexism and racism on the set of “America’s Got Talent.” Union co-hosted the show during its 14th season before she was let go.
In a report that was published by Variety in November of last year, a number of anonymous industry sources said Union was told six different times that changing her hairstyles often was too Black for the television audience. In fact, the words “toxic culture” were used to describe the set.
It was also said that Union spoke out against a white male contestant who impersonated Beyoncé on the show and colored his hand black. Plus, the report said that former late night host Jay Leno made a joke that was insensitive to the Asian community.
Crews was asked about the environment of “America’s Got Talent” when he stopped by “The 3rd Hour of Today” on Thursday, and he said his experience was far different than Union’s.
“First of all, I can’t speak for sexism because I’m not a woman, but I can speak on behalf of any racism comments,” he stated. “That was never my experience … In fact, it was the most diverse place I have ever been in my 20 years of entertainment.”
“When you look at what the allegations were about, it was given by an unnamed source,” he added. “My thing is, 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 … If she hasn’t made a statement, why would you?’” Crews explained.
Union, who sent a message of support to Crews after the actor said he was groped by former Hollywood talent agent Adam Venit, acknowledged the interview on Twitter.
She did it after someone told her on Twitter to “Keep standing in your truth.”
“Thank u! Cuz girlllllll,” Union tweeted on Friday, Jan. 24. “Truth telling, wanting change & having MULTIPLE witnesses who bravely came forward to let EVERYONE know I didn’t lie or exaggerate, really exposes those who enthusiastically will throw you under the bus, forgetting quickly who stepped up 4 THEIR truth.”
“Why anyone would gleefully get up on TV and tell lies that NO ONE disputed… But we already know,” she added. “Can someone please ask abt what happens to all that diversity folks are talking about BEHIND THE SCENES.”
“Like, legit… where the hell is all that diversity in the production though homie?” In the decision making ranks who control the fate of the diversity in front of the camera?” Union also tweeted. “
After Union sent her tweets, many blasted Crews for his interview.
“If you’re not gonna support your fellow sister, then just sit back, and keep hosting,” one person tweeted. “There’s no reason to do an interview to disparage someone else’s experience. She done left the show, but you out here tap dancing and carrying on.”
“Forget the bus I’m seeing how ppl will throw you under the bulldozer FOR FREE and willingly smh,” a second person wrote.
