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Julianne Hough breaks silence over Gabrielle Union’s America’s Got Talent racism row


They were judges for only one season (Picture: Getty)

Julianne Hough opened up about her and Gabrielle Union’s controversial exits from America’s Got Talent.

The former judges were let go after only one season and Julianne said everyone ‘should be heard’ in light of Gabrielle standing up against racist jokes against Asians.

During an appearance on People Now, the star said: ‘I would just say that — my goodness. I just believe and value at the highest regard that everybody has a voice and should be heard, first and foremost.

‘And then I believe that the paradigm of the workplace and how you do business and work with people now, it’s shifting, and I think that the people that really want to see change happen are going to authentically and positively … do that. And so that’s all I really have to say about that.’

On 22 November, news broke that Julianne and Gabrielle were being replaced – with their replacements yet to be announced.

According to Variety, Gabrielle heard guest judge Jay Leno making racist jokes towards Asians.

Four people who attended the taping of Jay Leno’s guest appearance claimed the comedian joked about dogs in a painting of Simon and said they looked like something ‘on the menu at a Korean restaurant’, perpetuating the stereotype that Asian people consume dogs.

Julianne denied the claims of a toxic work culture at first (Picture: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Apparently people get confused when her hairstyles changed (Picture: Broadimage/REX)

Gabrielle, 31, is said to have urged producers to report the joke to HR at NBC, but it never was.

The joke also never made it to air as it was reportedly cut from the episode when it eventually aired on 6 August.

Gabrielle was then ridiculed for her hair as she was told that her change in hairstyles was ‘too black’ for a very white audience.

Julianne, on the other hand, had to listen to constant attacks on her hair, makeup, and wardrobe.

After hearing the news, fans shared pictures of the versatility of black hair under the hashtag #BlackHairChallenge, which Gabrielle reacted to.

She posted originally on 28 November: ‘So many tears, so much gratitude. THANK YOU! Just when you feel lost, adrift, alone… you got me up off the ground. Humbled and thankful, forever’ along with a heart.

‘More tears. #BlackHairChallenege,’ she then posted with endless love hearts. ‘All these posts give me so much life & specifically more courage. Thank you guys!!’

Recently, Gabrielle had her chat with TV bosses, tweeting: ‘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.’



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MORE: Elizabeth Banks stands with Gabrielle Union over America’s Got Talent ‘toxic culture’ claims

MORE: Gabrielle Union to meet with TV bosses this week over America’s Got Talent sacking and ‘racism’ claims





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