Sharon Osbourne claims ‘dirty’ Simon Cowell runs America’s Got Talent like a ‘boys club’

Former judge’s comments come in the wake of Gabrielle Union’s departure from the show

Sharon Osbourne has claimed Simon Cowell runs America’s Got Talent like a “boys club” after Gabrielle Union was fired from the show.

Union was reportedly fired from the show in November after experiencing what was described as racially insensitive situations and being subjected to “excessive notes” on her physical appearance.

Osbourne, who was on the judging panel of the NBC talent show for six years, said: “It is a boys club, okay, it is.”

Speaking on The Talk, she continued: “And the boys take care of each other, and the women are not paid as much as the men. I was on the show before [fellow judge] Howie [Mandel]. I was one of them that helped put the show where it was.”

Claiming America’s Got Talent treats male judges better than their female counterparts, Osbourne said: “They brought Howie in. He got his own plane. I love Howie, and I don’t begrudge anyone earning what they earn, but when my old ass has been there, building the show, and I get an American Airlines ticket and he’s in a private plane.

“And I get that because I’m me and I’m not in the club.”

Osbourne also criticised Cowell for filling The X Factor‘s judging panel with older men and younger women.

“There was him, LA Reid, who’s an older man, and in between them was Demi Lovato and Britney Spears,” said Osbourne. “Now, the guys looked like two high rollers in Vegas who picked up a couple of kids…

“They looked like dirty old men beside these two little girls. I told LA Reid and I told Simon – it’s nothing I wouldn’t say to their face – ‘You look like two dirty old men’ and excuse me, but these are kids. They can’t be judging other kids, no matter how successful they are.”

Osbourne said she could not comment directly on Union’s allegations about America’s Got Talent.

“I don’t know about any of her concerns about the show,” she said. “Obviously, there wasn’t anybody of colour on the panel when I was there. So, I honestly can’t say.”

In a statement, NBC and series producer Fremantle defended what they called the show’s “long history of inclusivity and diversity.”

“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,” the companies said.

The Independent has contacted Simon Cowell’s representatives for comment.