Debra Messing has joined “Grey’s Anatomy” star Ellen Pompeo in defending former “America’s Got Talent” judge Gabrielle Union after the actress was allegedly fired from the competition series for speaking out against workplace discrimination.
“Thank you for this @EllenPompeo,” Messing, 51, tweeted Thanksgiving day. “This is disgusting behavior from a network that has been my professional home for decades. Yes, women become ‘difficult,’ when their insistence on a respectful and professional working environment, is ignored.”
The “Will & Grace” star continued, tagging Union, “Addressing a hostile work environment is inconvenient when there is a huge money making machine that is involved. It is cowardice, greed, and protection of the status quo revealed. Being ‘hands off,’ is inexcusable and reflects a laissez faire attitude toward systemic racism and sexism.”
Pompeo, 50, also took to Twitter to praise Union for speaking up, tweeting, “It’s unfortunate that @nbc the same network that protected disgusting men like Matt Lauer and punished women for speaking out or not putting up with it…has not changed their practices or culture.”
Union, 47, thanked all of her supporters in a Thanksgiving day Instagram post, writing, “To all the friends and family that have my back and all the friends and family I’ve never met who show love and support when everyone is looking and when no one is looking…All praise, gratitude and thankfulness.”
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Unaccustomed as she is to pushing herself into matters she has no direct knowledge of