00:00Gabrielle Union is stressing the importance of holding bad apples accountable when it
00:04comes to inclusivity and diversity in Hollywood.
00:08Appearing on The Daily Social Distancing Show with Trevor Noah on Tuesday, the actress noted
00:13that especially now, as the country faces a growing fight against systemic racism, there's
00:18a stronger need than ever for the industry to address problematic practices and people.
00:22The actress shared that between the pandemic and waking up daily to the murder of black
00:27bodies, people have been experiencing more than anxiety.
00:31It just feels like terror in my body and you try to figure out how best you can cope and
00:41then help.
00:42When it comes to discrimination happening within Hollywood, Noah said Union was someone in the
00:45industry who stood up to racism before it was quote unquote cool to bring up and turn the
00:50conversation over to her experience on America's Got Talent.
00:54Union had served as a panelist for just one season on the NBC competition series last
00:58year when she was let go following accusations that she experienced racial insensitivity and
01:03a toxic culture on the NBC competition series.
01:06A joint investigation by the network, producers for Mantle and Simon Cowell's Psycho followed
01:11and a conclusion in May noted that the show quote demonstrated an overall culture of diversity,
01:16though it did discover quote some areas in which reporting processes could be improved.
01:21Union recently filed a new complaint against the show asking California authorities to examine
01:25racism on the set.
01:27Touching on the investigation itself, Union noted, well silly me for thinking the independent
01:31investigation would be just that.
01:34When NBC and Fremantle and Psycho pay for that investigation, they control it.
01:40Union continued that overall her goal is for employees to be treated fairly.
01:44Nobody's asking for anything special.
01:46Nobody's asking for somebody to separate their Skittles or their M&Ms or whatever.
01:51Just treat people fairly.
01:53When asked by Noah what can the industry improve upon to help Black people on all levels, Union said
01:58the notion of going along to get along must end.
02:02Trying to figure out how you work around the bad apples as opposed to addressing and making
02:09those bad apples accountable and there being real consequences.
02:12She continued knowing that the way leadership behaves needs to change as well.
02:17Sometimes the best way to lead is to get out of the way and make room for someone else.
02:21For more on the story, head to the article on THR.com.
02:24For The Hollywood Reporter News, I'm Neha Joy.
02:28I'm Neha Joy.
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