America's Got Talent just won't be the same without them.In late November, news broke that America's Got Talent season 14 judges Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough were leaving the NBC variety show. Instead, Heidi Klum and Sofía Vergara ended up taking their places in the summer series.
Gabrielle and Julianne's exit announcement came as a bit of a shock, considering both were only on the show for one season.It's impossible to call out one single reason as the motivation for both Gabrielle and Julianne's departures. But looking strictly at the ratings, it's possible the numbers have something to do with it. In September 2019, AGT's final episode fell 29% from 2018, hitting an all-time finale low. What's more, total viewership was down 22% from the season 13 finale, according to Deadline.
But it's worth noting that when Mel B and Heidi left after season 13, Simon told USA Today that it was nothing personal and all in the interest of switching things up.It wasn't like it wasn't working," he said back in May. "Everyone who's been on the show over the years, judge or host, has done a brilliant job. It's just one of those shows where I think occasionally they just like to rotate the panel."
Over its 14 seasons, the show has rotated through five hosts — Regis Philbin, Jerry Springer, Nick Cannon, Tyra Banks, and now Terry Crews — and nine different judges, including Howard Stern, Piers Morgan, and Sharon Osbourne.All of that aside, a Variety report seems to point to the show's alleged "toxic culture" as a possible explanation. According to the publication, the Bring It On actress allegedly took issue with a few behind-the-scenes events during season 14.
The outlet reports that while shooting an episode in April, guest judge Jay Leno made a racially insensitive joke. While taping and looking at a painting of Simon and his dogs, the comedian allegedly said the pups looked like something one would find "on the menu at a Korean restaurant." Gabrielle reportedly urged producers of the show to flag the incident to NBC's human resources department. The issue, however, was apparently never brought to HR, and Jay's comment was edited out. A spokesperson for Jay did not return Variety’s request for comment.
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