Gabrielle Union is publicly speaking out after her unexpected and controversial exit from America’s Got Talent.

On Wednesday, the actress took to Twitter to express her gratitude to fans after admitting she was feeling shaken and saddened after her ousting as a judge on the popular competition series.

“So many tears, so much gratitude. THANK YOU! Just when you feel lost, adrift, alone… you got me up off the ground. Humbled and thankful, forever ❤,” Union penned on Twitter.

News broke late last week that the actress as well as fellow judge Julianne Hough would not be returning for another season of America’s Got Talent: The Champions, which is set to premiere on January 6, 2020. The casting decision came amid a report, published by Variety on November 26, which alleged that Hough and Union had been cut after they “complained of toxic culture.” The report cites alleged racist incidents which Union urged producers to report to HR, according to insiders familiar with the show. The report also claims both Union and Hough “received excessive notes on their physical appearance” with Union being told her hair was “too black” for the show.

In another followup report published by Vulture, sources alleged that Union was described as “difficult” by fellow judge and show producer Simon Cowell as well as other producers. The report also claimed that Cowell asked Union not to take her complaints to NBC but instead address them with him personally—like her issue with Cowell continuously smoking indoors. Union is allergic to cigarette smoke and California law states employers can’t allow smoking in enclosed workspaces, but despite her complaints Union was told “no one could stop Cowell from smoking and that previous attempts by a fire marshal and NBC executives had been unsuccessful.” Vulture also confirmed that Union originally had a three-year contract with AGT.

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