Unfortunately, Gabby, nor Julianne Hough will be returning this year. Sources confirm to Deadline that new judges are AGT(America’s Got Talent) staples; Simon Cowell (who is also the show’s creator and executive producer) and Howie Mandel. Both Union and Hough were popular judges with fans of the NBC show. Hough had an emotional connection with the contestants.
A Source From NBC Responds
A source from NBC reported the following in regard to Union’s termination:
“Gabrielle’s contract was not renewed after being the #1 talent in the show, NBC and network TV. She set the record for her Golden Buzzer. They only replace the women and blacks at Simon’s whim. She wouldn’t Walk way from $12 million because she’s ‘busy’. Based on weekly interactions on social media, by the time AGT finale aired Gabrielle was the #1 talent on network TV for 2019. Why not pick up someone’s option in extreme success?”
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The sources continue:
“Social media engagement is the new measuring stick for talent and Simon isn’t on social media. Juliane and Gabrielle were both way higher ranked/engaged than Howie. The idea the network wants to ‘switch things up’ only applies to women and Black folks.
Nick Cannon wasn’t crazy. He walked away from 8-figures over how [AGT] operates.”
Back in 2017, Nick Cannon took to Facebook to announce that he was ‘threatened with termination by executives’ after he made a racial joke about NBC on his Showtime stand-up special. He quit his job as host of ‘America’s Got Talent’ prior to the 12th season, saying, “My soul won’t allow me to be in business with corporations that attempt to frown on freedom of speech, censor artists, and question cultural choices.”
Sources tell lovebscott.com exclusively that Gabrielle’s firing is merely a continuation of their problematic tendencies.
“Let’s just say they didn’t start the racism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobi etc. in season 14. They were quite comfortable with it all by the time Gabrielly got there. Remember Nick said ‘NBC stands for N*gga Be Careful.”
AGT Has A Bad Rep Among Other Celebrities
Let’s not forget that Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum and Mel B, all left the show last year. This is not the first time Simon Cowell has been accused of misogyny- so, if true, we can’t imagine racism being too far behind.
It’s all good though, because both women will be busy with other current projects. Union, 47, is currently starring in “L.A.’s Finest,” a female reboot of the “Bad Boys” film series. The show; which also stars Jessica Alba, is set to return for a second season. She’s also busy being a mom to her daughter Kaavia, who she shares with her husband, NBA player Dwayne Wade.
