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It looks like the rumored drama between Gabrielle Union and Simon Cowell could get even uglier. After the actress was brought on to Cowell’s show, America’s Got Talent, they reportedly clashed immediately. Union allegedly spoke out against many troubling situations involving Cowell, which led to problems and caused a divide between them. As tensions continued and reached their breaking point, Union was allegedly fired from the show.

Now, the Bring It On star is reportedly thinking about fighting back. According to multiple outlets, Union is considering suing Cowell. Let’s quickly recap their drama and discuss the alleged reason she might sue him.

Gabrielle Union and Simon Cowell
(L-R) Gabrielle Union and Simon Cowell | George Pimentel/Getty Images North America; Steve Granitz/WireImage

Looking back at Gabrielle Union and Simon Cowell’s alleged problems

Sources told Vulture that problems began immediately after Union was brought on to the judging panel for AGT Season 14, which ran from May to September 2019.

According to the insiders, Union had issues with many things, including Cowell’s reported habit of smoking indoors, which is illegal in California. Beyond that, she is reportedly allergic to cigarette smoke.

When she complained, she was reportedly labeled as “difficult” by Cowell and AGT producers. NBC staffers also allegedly told her, “No one could stop Cowell from smoking and that previous attempts by a fire marshal and NBC executives had been unsuccessful.”

So they kept clashing, according to sources. Union reportedly flared tensions when she started calling out racist incidents and other troubling behaviors that allegedly happened on set. Then in November 2019, it was reported that she would not be returning for AGT Season 15.

Union has not directly said that she was fired from NBC series, but her husband, Dwyane Wade, suggested the reports were true in messages shared to Twitter.

Howie Mandel, Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough, Simon Cowell on the panel
Howie Mandel, Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough, Simon Cowell on the panel | Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

NBC defended itself and eventually launched a probe into the drama

NBC and series producer Fremantle defending themselves in a statement shared with Vulture that said:

“America’s Got Talent has a long history of inclusivity and diversity in both our talent and the acts championed by the show. The judging and host line-up has been regularly refreshed over the years and that is one of the reasons for AGT’s enduring popularity. NBC and the producers take any issues on set seriously.”

But as the backlash mounted, NBC launched an investigation into the incident and said it would “put new practices in place if necessary,” per The Associated Press.

Howie Mandel, Gabrielle Union, Terry Crews, Julianne Hough, and Simon Cowell
Howie Mandel, Gabrielle Union, Terry Crews, Julianne Hough, and Simon Cowell |Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Gabrielle Union is now allegedly considering suing Simon Cowell

Multiple outlets reported during the week of Feb. 9 that Union is thinking about suing Cowell for “endangering her life” by allegedly smoking on the set of AGT.

“Gabrielle was always cross that Simon would smoke when the cameras weren’t running,” a source told The Daily Mail. “For her, this is a big deal. She believes his smoking has put her life in danger. It can cause cancer and she doesn’t think she deserves to have been at risk when she was at work. This lawsuit will be sent to Simon at any moment. She is determined to see this one through.”

Oof. Well, stay tuned. It seems like there’s more to come.

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