Having resumed production on America’s Got Talent after the coronavirus lockdown, Simon Cowell was back to business on Tuesday.
The TV judge was spotted waiting to enter a TV studio in Simi Valley, California, wearing a face mask and shades, abiding by the COVID-19 rules.
As he waited to be let inside, Simon, 60, sported his usual get-up – a white loosely-buttoned shirt, dark slacks and a jacket.
Having resumed production on America’s Got Talent after the coronavirus lockdown, Simon Cowell was back to business on Tuesday
He waited patiently and made small talk with a production assistant, who was wearing a protective visor.
Simon has resumed shooting America’s Got Talent, with TV shows in Hollywood slowly returning to production.
But the return has been somewhat overshadowed by Gabrielle Union’s claims she thinks Simon believes he is above the law due to the fact he smoked inside during her time on the show.
The actress, 47, spoke about her experiences on the NBC talent show during an appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.
Gabrielle’s comments came after she a harassment complaint against Simon and NBC, after claiming a network chairman tried to silence her reports of racism.
Small talk: The TV judge was spotted waiting to enter a TV studio in Simi Valley, California, wearing a face mask and shades, abiding by the COVID-19 rules
Interview: Gabrielle Union has claimed she thinks Simon believes he is above the law due to the fact he smoked inside during her time on America’s Got Talent
During her interview, Gabrielle also suggested that she thought an investigation into her claims would be ‘independent’, but claimed it was funded by NBC.
Discussing her experience on the primetime show, she said: ‘Day one, Simon Cowell is smoking cigarettes inside. I’ve worked a long time.
‘I’ve worked with all kinds of people. I’ve never experienced that,’ Gabrielle said, while also mentioning that she is severely allergic to cigarette smoke.
‘When your boss — the person who has the ability to determine who gets opportunities and who doesn’t — doesn’t believe that the law applies to him or the rules apply to him, and he does it in full view of NBC, Fremantle and Syco and no one cares about Simon Cowell exposing all of these employees to second hand smoke, that’s day one,’ Gabrielle claimed.
Complaint: Gabrielle’s comments came after she a harassment complaint against Simon and NBC, after claiming a network chairman tried to silence her reports of racism
Allegations: The actress, 47, spoke about her experiences on the NBC talent show during an appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (pictured left) on Tuesday
‘What message do you think that sends to anyone that has an issue with the very real racism and the lack of accountability?’ Gabrielle continued. ‘And it goes on and on and on.’
MailOnline understands that Simon was made aware of her concern with his smoking during the first couple days of production and he changed his behavior, and no further complaints were made
Simon was unaware of the majority of Gabrielle’s complaints until she raised them in the media in the days after her option was not exercised.
The Bring It On star also touched on the investigation into her racism allegations, which was commissioned by NBC, which she believed would be independent.
‘I decided to participate in this investigation,’ Gabrielle said. ‘Silly me, I thought ‘independent’ was independent. But when NBC and [producers] Fremantle and Syco pay for that investigation, they control it.’
Disappointed: During her interview, Gabrielle also suggested that she thought an investigation into her claims would be ‘independent’, but claimed it was funded by NBC
‘They turn over what they believe to be inflammatory things, or things that are not advantageous to me,’ Gabrielle alleged. ‘In the middle of an investigation about racism and discrimination? This is what’s happening from the top of the company.’
MailOnline have commented Simon’s representative’s for comment.
Gabrielle filed a harassment complaint against NBC and Simon earlier this month, after claiming a network chairman tried to silence her reports of racism.
The star’s attorney said entertainment chair Paul Telegdy tried to stop her ‘from telling the truth about racist actions that took place’ on America’s Got Talent.
Speaking out: Gabrielle’s lawyer alleges that star was threatened by NBC Chairman in attempt to silence her over complaints of racism on America’s Got Talent
‘When Gabrielle Union informed NBC of racially offensive conduct during the taping of America’s Got Talent, NBC did not ‘stand’ with her in ‘outrage at acts of racism.” lawyer Bryan Freedman began in a statement posted on Twitter.
In May former judge Gabrielle broke her silence on being axed from the talent show last year. She told Variety she was compelled to report racist jokes cracked by guest judge Jay Leno – but when she spoke up, she was cut from the show.
Gabrielle has now filed a complaint against NBC Universal, Cowell and production companies FremantleMedia and SyCo, which is owned by Cowell.
Reports: Gabrielle filed a harassment complaint against NBC and Simon, after claiming a network chairman tried to silence her reports of racism. The star’s attorney said entertainment chair Paul Telegdy, right, tried to stop her ‘from telling the truth about racist actions that took place’ on America’s Got Talent
The harassment, discrimination and retaliation complaint was filed in June with California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing and could pave the way for a lawsuit. DailyMail.com contacted NBC and Cowell for comment.
The reality show has previously denied many of Gabrielle’s claims, with a statement claiming an investigation found the show ‘demonstrated an overall culture of diversity’.
But Freedman’s statement continued: ‘Instead, NBC did not care enough to either promptly investigate Ms. Union’s complaints or even ask HR to get involved.
‘Rather, NBC stood against her and directed its ‘outrage’ at Ms. Union for whistleblowing about the racially offensive conduct she experienced while working for NBC on America’s Got Talent.
Line-up: Actress and producer Union was offered a seat on the coveted judge panel of AGT in the spring of 2019. She is pictured alongside Howie Mandel, Julianne Hough and Simon Cowell