NBC’s America’s Got Talent will not be bringing back Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough as judges on the talent competition show.
Union and Hough were brought in to replace Melanie Brown and Heidi Klum. New judges for the show’s return in 2020 have not been determined.
Created by Simon Cowell, the show is going into its 15th season. The 14th season cast Terry Crews as host, with Union, Hough, Cowell and Howie Mandel as judges. Past judges included Piers Morgan, David Hasselhoff, Howard Stern, Mel B, Brandy Norwood, and Sharon Osbourne.
BET and LoveBScott reported that Union was fired from the show for pointing out racism and sexism occurring behind the scenes. However, the report has not been officially verified by the actress or AGT.
Nick Cannon was a host for eight seasons of the show until he made a joke about the network on one of his comedy specials “breaching his contract and disparaging the NBC brand”. Apparently, NBC executives were not too thrilled with Cannon’s racially suggestive joke. Eventually, Cannon decided to not return to the show.
AGT returns to television on May 28.