Gabrielle Union made headlines today when news of her lawsuit against BET hit the wire.
The timing of filing (and indeed the filing itself) shocked many, given that season 4 of her hit series ‘Being Mary Jane’ launches in January on…BET.
Per reports, Union is unhappy due to strategic plays she feels are being made to get more out of her – for less money.
As reported, her suit read:
“BET represented and assured Ms. Union before she agreed to perform in Being Mary Jane that it would never produce more than thirteen (13) episodes per season of the series. BET now wants to shoot twenty (20) episodes of the series back-to-back and cram all of the episodes into a single season in order to fraudulently extend the term of Ms. Union’s contract, with no additional consideration, and to deprive Ms. Union of her agreed-upon compensation for the next two seasons of ‘Being Mary Jane.’
Wasting no time, BET have clapped-back. Read their response below…
In a statement issued moments ago, the Viacom-owned channel said:
“While we hold Gabrielle Union in the highest esteem, we feel strongly that we are contractually well within our rights and are committed to reaching a swift and positive resolution in this matter.” [Source]
An undoubtable ratings winner, one has to wonder how this will affect the future of the show.
Per the filings, it seems as though there will definitely be a season beyond the one premiering January. Needless to say, whichever side is awarded the win, it’ll make for an interesting climate on set.
Here’s hoping all is resolved one way or the other soon.
BS!! I believe Gabby! This is what happens when the ‘white-mans’ is baking your pie. They wanna give you crums has history proves
I stand with Gabby
Gabby should get Iyanla to go to BET headquarters….NOT on my WATCH! NOT on MYYY WATCH! lol
http://giphy.com/gifs/golden-rancic-ansari-lGmkHDrBGk69q
Wow! I can not believe that BET would do that to someone who stars in a sitcom that is helping their network bring in high ratings for a show that is originated by them. I don’t know much about much but I know that they are most defiantly trying to f*** her over if what I’m reading is true. The network is all about supporting black people but look what they are doing to their very own. I’m distinguished! And poor Gabby, could you imagine having to work for a network after you file a legal action against them? She will never feel the same working with them after this.
Bull. BET is full of it and they know it. They tried this same mess with ‘The Game’, which is why that show went to sh*t soon after coming to that network.
I think Gabby should suck it up and do the work. Plenty of black actresses would jump at the opportunity to film more episodes when they are getting paid 150K per episode. More money is more money. Gabby should be mad at her agent for not negotiating more money per episode once BET wanted to film more.
You sound slow! You must be 12.
umm, if im not mistaken, it is a $15k hike for season 5 episodes. if her contract says at most 13 episodes is a season, then there is no way they can shortchange her and say $150k per episode and have her not get her raise after the 13 episode. that is called robbery and failing to up hold a contract.
Dang wow Smh