At the end of 2019, Gabrielle Union was fired from her position asa judge on America’s Got Talent. It later came out that Union was fired in the midst of accusations of racism behind the scenes, including a complaint after she was told that her hair and style was “too black.” Since then, Union has only alluded to the controversy, and an internal investigation is currently ongoing.
While lots of celebrities have come out to publicly support Union, there is one glaring example of someone who doesn’t: America’s Got Talent host Terry Crews.
Also, @terrycrews, just because you didn’t experience something directly, doesn’t mean it didn’t or doesn’t happen. Racism is systemic, and you can’t bet if you say or do something wrong, your race will play a role.
It’s ok to yield sometimes
— Nicole Tinson (@Nikki_T) January 24, 2020
While he was a guest on the Today Show, he said this about the controversy around Union’s firing:
“I can’t speak for sexism, because I’m not a woman, but I can speak on behalf of any racism comments. That was never my experience on America’s Got Talent.”
He completely threw Union under the bus, claiming that AGT was “the most diverse place I have ever been in my 20 years of entertainment.” He continued, saying “I believe you should listen to women, you should always believe women,” but claimed that the allegations came from an “unnamed source” and that Union herself hadn’t made an official statement.
If Terry Crews wanted to protect his own interests by remaining silent and not supporting Gabrielle Union, it would have merely been unprincipled. But the fact that he actively contradicts her claims —when he could have just said nothing— is deplorable.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) January 24, 2020
This position is particularly upsetting because Union was one of the first celebrities to support Crews after he came forward with his own MeToo experience in 2017. He tweeted at the time:
“I will never forget how @shondarhimes @TaranaBurke @itsgabrielleu @jurneesmollett @TherealTaraji @AnikaNoniRose @ParisaFH @AuroraPerrineau @NiaLong #Ninashaw and countless other black women supported me from DAY ONE. YOU ARE TRULY MY SISTERS. THANK YOU, AGAIN”
He seems to have forgotten, because on Monday he tweeted that the only woman he has to care about is his wife:
“There is only one woman one earth I have to please. Her name is Rebecca.
Not my mother, my sister, my daughters or co-workers. I will let their husbands/ boyfriends/ partners take care of them.
Rebecca gives me WINGS”
Union seemingly responded on Twitter, classily avoiding naming names. She said:
“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?”
“Maaaaaan… We all agreed to let the investigation be completed before speaking but if we doing this… ohhhhh baby let’s gooooooooooo!”
“Let’s also talk about where the diversity is in the hair & makeup dept for contestants that DOES NOT reflect all that diversity that hits the stage. Let’s Google the exec’s that run the show & ask follow up ?? about THAT egregious lack of diversity. Let’s discuss the facts”
Let's also talk about where the diversity is in the hair & makeup dept for contestants that DOES NOT reflect all that diversity that hits the stage. Let's Google the exec's that run the show & ask follow up ?? about THAT egregious lack of diversity. Let's discuss the facts https://t.co/w40qrBDac1
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) January 24, 2020
