Orlando Jones proves that “angry gets s*** done.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor’s union SAG-AFTRA is expanding the inquiry into Fremantle, the production company behind both American Gods and America’s Got Talent. This news comes after Jones revealed he was fired from American Gods after suffering through a toxic work environment. Part of that environment, as he revealed in his initial Instagram video, included current showrunner Charles Eglee assuming Jones’ character, Mr. Nancy, was sending “the wrong message for Black America.”
In the show, Mr. Nancy speaks for the disenfranchised and marginalized Black community and their struggle at the hands of chattel slavery. His message of anger relates directly to that frustration of being treated as less than human. Deadline has since been reported that Jones might be mulling over legal action against American Gods’ leadership because the unexpected firing led to monetary losses for him and his family. Not only that, though Jones was fired, he still hasn’t been officially released from his contract.
Union, who was fired from America’s Got Talent, also complained of a toxic working environment in which she was exposed to racism and sexism, including notes on her hairstyles and appearance, and offensive jokes about people of color.
“After initial meetings with Gabrielle Union and her representatives about her experiences on America’s Got Talent, and after learning more about Orlando Jones’ experience on American Gods, SAG-AFTRA is expanding its investigation of Fremantle Media,” the organization said in a statement on Friday. “Our enforcement actions are handled confidentially to protect the members involved, and we typically do not publicize these matters unless the affected members request that we do so. We have nothing further to report at this time.”
Jones commented on the expansion of the investigation on Instagram, writing in a post, “Thank you SAG for believing in me and for standing up for equality and for embracing my team and myself in this battle against injustice and lies and thank you to my fans because without you there is no Mr. Nancy.”
Source: Shadow & Act
