Howard Stern defended Gabrielle Union, calling America’s Got Talent the “ultimate boys club.” Many fans were surprised that the popular host was ousted recently.

On November 22, NBC announced that both Union and Julianne Hough would not be returning to the show for season 15. According to multiple reports, the L.A.’s Finest star’s contract was not renewed due to reports of clashes that occurred behind the scenes. It was also reported that Union spoke to the show’s producers telling them she felt there were racial and gender concerns that made their workplace a toxic environment.

Howard Stern is stepping up to defend Gabrielle Union on his radio show, saying that the competition show was the “ultimate boys club,” according to Vulture. The radio host went on to imply to his listeners that Simon Cowell most likely had a hand in devising the exit of not only Union, but Julianne Hough as well. Stern explained to his audience that Cowell sets up the NBC show for men to be able to stay in the judging chairs, not caring about their abilities or appearance. Both women were reportedly given extensive notes about their appearance and told what to work on.

During his XM radio broadcast, Stern managed to explain that somehow Cowell is able to consistently replace the “hot” women with younger, prettier women. Stern continued by saying that Howie Mandel is doing a fine job, but isn’t anything great, though no one thinks of replacing him. Stern ended his rant by saying America’s Got Talent is a perfect example of “the ultimate boy’s club.” Stern addressed Union’s complaint about Jay Leno’s joke. Even though Stern seemed to defend the actress, he was also not biased in that he believed she had done wrong. Stern worked as a judge on the popular show for four seasons, leaving in 2015.

It was also reported that Union complained about Cowell smoking indoors, Leno’s reportedly racist joke - which never made it to air - and the fact that Union had supported an African American contestant, only to be eventually told the show needed an “act that America could get behind.” Many of Union’s concerns seem warranted, and true fans of the show are no doubt supporting her, hoping that NBC and the show’s producers deal with the situation appropriately.

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Source: Vulture