Workplace discrimination Howard Stern blames Simon Cowell for Gabrielle Union’s ‘America’s Got Talent’ exit

Howard Stern is pointing fingers in the ongoing “America’s Got Talent” drama over Gabrielle Union’s controversial exit. 

The former “AGT” judge and radio shock jock says Simon Cowell is to blame for Union not returning to the NBC competition show. 

Stern took to his SiriusXM show Monday to call out Cowell after hearing of Union’s exit, despite claiming not to have known of the actress prior to the news.

Stern served as a judge on America’s Got Talent for four seasons, from 2012 though 2015.

As Stern talked about seeing the news over the weekend, he suggested Union wasn’t returning because of Cowell. “How is it that Simon Cowell has orchestrated this? He has set 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.

“What he manages to do on all his shows is he constantly replace the hot chicks with hotter chicks and younger chicks, which is so obvious,” Stern said. “Simon (and) Howie get to stay, but the three women had to go: Tyra Banks, Mel B., Heidi Klum, and they find two younger, hotter women.”

USA TODAY has reached out to reps for Cowell for comment.

Stern also questioned why judge Howie Mandel is still on the show despite other judge lineup changes over the years.

“It’s one thing if you fire everyone, but why is it always the women on that show that constantly go into rotation?” Stern asked. “I like Howie, he’s doing a fine, serviceable job, but why don’t they change him? And why don’t they change Simon?”

Stern continued: “This is the ultimate example of a boys club – two seasons in a row the female judges being fired while Simon and Howie soldier on.”

Gabrielle Union speaks out for the first time since ‘America’s Got Talent’ exit, ‘toxic culture’ report

“America’s Got Talent” had no additional statement on Stern’s comments, pointing back to a joint statement to USA TODAY from NBC, production company Fremantle and Cowell’s entertainment company, Syco, in which “AGT” announced it remains “committed to ensuring a respectful workplace for all employees and take very seriously any questions about workplace culture.”

“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,” the statement added. 

More: Gabrielle Union’s ‘America’s Got Talent’ exit prompts SAG-AFTRA to investigate

Stern’s comments come after SAG-AFTRA said it is investigating Union’s exit, following a report last week from Variety, which described a “toxic culture” on the set of “America’s Got Talent” after news that Union and fellow judge Julianne Hough would not be returning to the reality singing competition for a second year.

In a written statement sent to USA TODAY by Pamela Greenwalt, a SAG-AFTRA spokesperson, the organization said it takes issues of “workplace health and safety very seriously.”

SAG-AFTRA reached out to Union’s reps after the reports surrounding her exit surfaced.

The statement continued: “For certain matters, our investigation and enforcement needs to happen independently and we are prepared to handle this issue accordingly, as warranted. Our enforcement action is usually handled confidentially to protect the member involved, and we typically do not publicize these matters unless the member requests that we do so. While we have taken steps to investigate this matter, we have nothing to report now.”

Time’s Up president Tina Tchen also weighed in Monday, calling out NBCUniversal, alleging a pattern of “protecting the careers of powerful men at the expense of women who speak out.” 

Tchen’s tweet continued that the company, “still has a lot of work to do to change its culture so that discrimination, harassment, and retaliation are no longer tolerated at the company. Period.”

Variety also reported that a culture of toxic, racist jokes and “excessive notes” about physical appearance were pervasive before the two freshman judges’ contracts were not renewed.

‘We’re with you’: Ariana Grande, Ellen Pompeo show support for Gabrielle Union amid ‘AGT’ exit

Union hasn’t addressed the controversy directly, but in her first tweet since the controversy unfolded, she thanked fans for support.

“So many tears, so much gratitude,” she tweeted Wednesday night. “THANK YOU! Just when you feel lost, adrift, alone … you got me up off the ground. Humbled and thankful, forever.” 

Several other celebrities, including Ariana Grande, Ellen Pompeo, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Debra Messing and Olivia Munn have since voiced their support for Union. 

Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff

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