News | Entertainment
7 Jan 2026 1:26
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Gabrielle Union will "never regret speaking up" about her experiences in Hollywood

    The 47-year-old actress filed a complaint about "toxic" behaviour on the set of 'America's Got Talent' earlier this year, following her decision last year to quit the show after just one season on the judging panel because of the alleged racial bias and discrimination she faced


    Speaking to Naomi Campbell on the supermodel's 'No Filter' web series, she said: "When you walk in to a space and you recognise that change needs to happen sooner than later, [it's important] to speak up.

    "And I'm confident that the wheels of change are turning faster, and we'll reach an amicable agreement. I will never regret speaking up. Ever. Never ever."

    Gabrielle noted that racism is still a major issue in Hollywood - and society as a whole - and she has been struck by the "anti-blackness" of the film industry throughout her career.

    She added: "[It was] jarring and shocking, and it still is.

    "There's a very narrow idea of what kind of black girl was acceptable and marketable."

    Back in June, the 'Being Mary Jane' star filed a discrimination complaint against NBC, Simon Cowell, FremantleMedia and Syco Entertainment in California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

    However, the case has since been closed as she instead requested an immediate right to sue, which she was granted.

    Her official complaint came after NBC previously conducted an independent investigation into Gabrielle's allegations regarding 'AGT', but she was unhappy with how it was handled.

    She said at the time: "They were like, 'We're going to commission this independent investigation.' Well, silly me. I thought independent was independent, but when NBC and Fremantle and Syco pay for that investigation, they control it.

    "They turn over what they believe to be inflammatory things, or things that are not advantageous to me, over to the head of NBC, Paul Telegdy, who uses those things that he thinks are smoking guns to shoot down my claims.

    "He then threatens my agent [by saying,] 'Gabrielle better watch who she calls a racist' in the middle of an investigation about racism and discrimination. This is what's happening from the top of the company."

    NBC previously insisted it was "categorically untrue" that any threats had been made towards the star.

    They said in a statement: "We took Ms. Union's concerns seriously, and engaged an outside investigator who found an overarching culture of diversity on the show. NBCUniversal remains committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment where people of all backgrounds are treated with respect."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     06 Jan: George Clooney has "rediscovered" his love of acting
     06 Jan: Denise Richards and her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, have been evicted from their Los Angeles home
     06 Jan: Aled Jones "didn't know" all of Walking in the Air when he went to record it
     06 Jan: Fatboy Slim "doggedly" sticks to Hawaiian shirts
     06 Jan: Pat McGrath believes make-up is a "language of feeling"
     06 Jan: Ian Ziering has been accused of battery and assault
     06 Jan: Sir Michael Palin believes his comedy background "helps" his travel documentaries
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    It's au revoir for AJ Lam after the upcoming Super Rugby season More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    EB Games is proposing to shut down its New Zealand business - according to a letter sent to employees More...



     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    What are Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores alleged to have done? 22:17

    Cricket:
    The Auckland Hearts are struggling to mount a sizeable total in their women's Super Smash T20 against the Sparks on Eden Park's outer oval 21:57

    Entertainment:
    George Clooney has "rediscovered" his love of acting 21:53

    Entertainment:
    Denise Richards and her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, have been evicted from their Los Angeles home 21:23

    Environment:
    Construction's underway on new flood resilience for a road in Hawke's Bay's Omahu 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Aled Jones "didn't know" all of Walking in the Air when he went to record it 20:53

    Entertainment:
    Fatboy Slim "doggedly" sticks to Hawaiian shirts 20:23

    Entertainment:
    Pat McGrath believes make-up is a "language of feeling" 19:53

    Law and Order:
    More than 50 people have been scouring the Southern Alps for missing tramper Connor Purvis 19:47

    Entertainment:
    Ian Ziering has been accused of battery and assault 19:23


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd