Heidi Klumhas nothing but fond memories of her time onAmerica’s Got Talent.
Klum, 46, opened up about her six-season run as a host on the NBC competition series amid the controversy surroundingGabrielle UnionandJulianne Hough‘s exits.
“I’ve only had an amazing experience,” she told reporters at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour when asked her thoughts on Union’s reported claims of a toxic work environment. “I can’t speak for her. I didn’t experience the same thing. To me, everyone treats you with the utmost respect. I’ve never seen anything that was weird or hurtful.”
The supermodel said any tension seen among judges during the show was simply for entertainment purposes.
“Of course, there’s always this cat-and-dog fight, but this is fun. You say something silly,” she said. “For me, being on television, I want to entertain people. I want people to have a good time. I want people to go away from their life for two hours and just have fun and enjoy.”
Trae Patton/NBC
News broke on Nov. 22, 2019, that Union, 47, and Hough, 31,would not be returningforAGT‘s 15th season. The announcementstirred up a controversyover Union’s reported allegations of racial insensitivities on set.
The report also claimed both Union and Hough said they were subjected to “excessive notes” on their physical appearance. In one instance, Union reportedly said she was told her ever-changing hairstyles were “too black” forAGT‘s audience, while Hough reportedly said she received constant criticism on her hair, makeup and wardrobe.
In a statement to the publication at the time, Hough denied that she had a negative experience on the show and said she was “happy to continue my working relationship with NBC.”
Hough later spoke out in support of Union.
Union revealed on Dec. 4 that she had sat down with NBC andAmerica’s Got Talentproduction companies, Fremantle and Syco Entertainment, show creatorSimon Cowell‘s firm. In a joint statement, Syco Entertainment, Fremantle and NBC said: “We remain committed to ensuring a respectful workplace for all employees and take very seriously any questions about workplace culture. We are working with Ms. Union through her representatives to hear more about her concerns, following which we will take whatever next steps may be appropriate.”
America’s Got Talent.Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty
Union also tweeted about the talk, writing, “We had a lengthy 5-hour, and what I thought to be,productive meetingyesterday. I was able to again, express my unfiltered truth. I led with transparency and my desire and hope for real change.”
Show creator and judge Cowell has reportedly enlisted tenacious longtime Hollywood litigator Larry Stein as his legal representation. (Union is working with Megyn Kelly’s former attorney Bryan Freedman.)
Still, many involved are hopeful for a positive outcome.
“The initial conversation was candid and productive,” an NBC spokesperson said in a statement to PEOPLE about their sit-down with Union. “While there will be afurther investigationto get a deeper understanding of the facts, we are working with Gabrielle to come to a positive resolution.”
source: people.com
