Gabrielle Union Breaks Silence Following 'America's Got Talent' Firing

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Gabrielle Union is speaking out for the first time following news she was fired from "America's Got Talent." The 47-year-old actress addressed her fans and thanked them for their support after her and fellow judge Julianne Hough's controversial exit was made public. Taking to her social media, Gabrielle Union expressed gratitude for everyone's support just one day before Thanksgiving. “So many tears, so much gratitude,” she tweeted on Wednesday night. “THANK YOU! Just when you feel lost, adrift, alone… you got me up off the ground. Humbled and thankful, forever.”

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She also seemed to address the "AGT" dilemma earlier in the day with a comment on a video of herself with her husband, Dwyane Wade. “When the world feels like it’s falling apart. Try to find your peace,” she captioned the video. Gabrielle Union broke her silence hours after her NBA star hubby fiercely defended his wife following news she and Julianne Hough got fired for reportedly speaking out about racially insensitive situations taking place on set. Wade took to Twitter to address the issue and showed he had his wife's back.

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"Men lie, Women lie, numbers don’t.’ Over this past year I’ve been approached by many people saying that my wife @itsgabrielleu is the main reason they’ve started watching #AGT or that they love her insight and sincerity on the show," he began his thread.“So when i got the news that my wife was being fired—my first question was obviously why!?” Wade continued. “I am still waiting on a good answer to that question. But if anyone knows @itsgabrielleu or have heard of her you know she’s an advocate for our community and culture.” The NBA legend went on to express how proud he was of Gabrielle for standing up for what she believes in and being an excellent role model for their 1-year-old daughter, Kaavia. “As proud as i were of her being selected as a judge on #AGT— I am even more proud of her standing up for what she stands for and that’s US,” Dwyane Wade wrote, before adding, “So [cheers] to you @itsgabrielleu on not losing sight of the lessons we’ve talked about teaching our daughter and for kicking ass while you were on that platform. Number 1 judge on one of the biggest shows in the world.”

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News broke on Friday that Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough would not be returning for Season 15 of "America's Got Talent" after only serving as judges for one season. They replaced former judges Mel B and Heidi Klum. Earlier in the week, blog Love B Scott reported that the "L.A.'s Finest" actress had spoken out to executives about "problematic" situations on set. Variety later elaborated on the issue, claiming multiple sources revealed Union had expressed concerns over racially insensitive situations, including a joke told by the show's celebrity guest Jay Leno, which was later edited out of the episode. A source also told Variety that Union and Hough were often given “excessive notes” on their physical appearances. A spokesperson for NBC told People, "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.”