Legendary ‘shock jock’/former America’s Got Talent judge Howard Stern has accused Simon Cowell of unfairly treating the show’s female judges.
Stern slammed Cowell for ‘orchestrating’ both Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough’s recent firings on his SiriusXM radio show Monday, telling listeners the former American Idol has always had the deck stacked against female hosts.
‘He sets it up that the men stay, no matter how ugly they are, no matter how old they are, no matter how fat they are, no matter how talentless they are,’ Stern said.
Calling him out: Legendary ‘shock jock’/former America’s Got Talent judge Howard Stern has accused Simon Cowell of unfairly treating the show’s female judges, telling his SiriusXM show’s listeners that the Brit talent hawk ‘orchestrated’ Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough’s recent firings
He went on, saying how ‘obvious’ it was that the show regularly dismissed their female hosts in order to bring in ‘hotter chicks and younger chicks.’
Stern judged the reality talent competition from 2012 to 2015 alongside Howie Mandel, Mel B, and Heidi Klum.
While Howie is the show’s longest serving judge, lasting from 2010 to present, Mel and Heidi’s tenures only lasted six seasons before they were replaced by Union and Hough last year.
Stern’s comments come after reports that Union’s firing came after the star spoke up about a toxic environment on set.
Speaking up: Stern’s comments come after reports that Union’s firing came after the star spoke up about a toxic environment on set
Gender bias: Stern accused Cowell of supporting the men of the show ‘no matter’ what but regularly dismissed their female hosts in order to bring in ‘hotter chicks and younger chicks.’ Last season’s hosting team of Howie Mandel, Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough, Simon Cowell are seen above
Union reportedly urged producers to contact human resources over a racially insensitive joke guest judge Jay Leno made about people of Korean descent.
Insiders also claimed that Union and Hough’s physical appearance were harshly criticized.
Union was even reportedly told that some of her hairstyles were ‘too black’ for NBC audiences. (She received a note about her hair over half a dozen times, four sources told Variety.)
His tenure: Stern judged the reality talent competition from 2012 to 2015 alongside Howie Mandel, Mel B, and Heidi Klum, all seen with former AGT host Nick Cannon above
Unacceptable: Union reportedly asked producers if she could contact human resources in regards to a racially insensitive joke from guest judge Jay Leno, seen during his April 2019 appearance
Over the weekend Simon Cowell’s entertainment company made their first comments about the controversy, assuring people the that are ‘committed to ensuring a respectful workplace.’
‘We are working with Ms. Union through her representatives to hear more about her concerns, following which we will take whatever next steps may be appropriate,’ Syco Entertainment, which produces AGT, said in a joint statement with NBC and production company Fremantle on Sunday.
Though Jay Leno avoided directly commenting on the firings, he did express his respect for Union when seen after a set at The Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, California on Sunday night, calling her a ‘great girl.’
Only good things to say… .Though Jay Leno (above on AGT) avoided directly commenting on the firings, he did express his respect for Union when seen after a set at The Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, California on Sunday night, calling her a ‘great girl’
Patricia Arquette is among the stars who have lent their support to Gabrielle Union. Actress Alyssa Milano retweeted a Twitter post praising Union for speaking out
Jay – who guest starred in an episode which aired in April – said: ‘I love Gabrielle Union, she’s a great girl. I really enjoyed working with her, she’s really good.’
Meanwhile, many in the entertainment community have voiced their support for Union. Stars Ariana Grande, Ellen Pompeo, Lin Manuel-Miranda, and Alyssa Milano have all spoken out about the situation.
Patricia Arquette even called for SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents actors, to investigate the reports.
Commenting on the matter, the union gave a statement saying: ‘While we have taken steps to investigate this matter, we have nothing to report now.’
Feminist advocacy group Time’s Up also spoke out in support of Union, tweeting: ‘Thank you #itsgabrielleeu for speaking up for what’s right’ on Saturday.
Feminist advocacy group Time’s Up also spoke out in support of Union, tweeting: ‘Thank you #itsgabrielleeu for speaking up for what’s right’ on Saturday