Jay Leno Opens Up on Controversy Surrounding Gabrielle Union's Exit From 'America's Got Talent'

The saga surrounding Gabrielle Union's exit firing from America's Got Talent continues to get muddier than ever. Apart from Union, co-judge Julianne Hough also exited the show as judges but it was only later that news broke that apparently Union was fired.

In addition, reports surfaced claiming Gabrielle expressed concern over "offensive" incidents during her time on the show.

One of those circumstances was when Jay reportedly made an inappropriate joke while serving as a guest host.

"Leno made a crack about painting on display in a hallway of Simon Cowell, the show's executive producer and judge, surrounded by his dogs," Variety reported. "Leno joked that the pets looked like something one would find 'on the menu at a Korean restaurant.'"

While Jay has stayed silent on social media, TMZ caught up with the comedian at the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, Calif., this weekend where he addressed the controversy. 

"I love Gabrielle Union. She's a great girl. I really enjoyed working with her," he shared with the outlet. "She's really good."

When asked if she was treated fairly on the popular summer series, Jay responded, " I don't know…but I think she's a great girl." And when asked to address the reported joke, Jay chose to stay mum as he explained a street with traffic going by wasn't the best place to talk about it.

Even though Union has been quiet about the whole thing, she took to Twitter where she expressed her gratitude saying, "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."