Jimmy Fallon Apologizes to His Staff Amid ‘Toxic Workplace’ Claims
Jimmy Fallon has reportedly apologized to his staff after past and current members of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon claimed he had fostered a “toxic” work environment. On Thursday…
Jimmy Fallon attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022 in New York City.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/VogueJimmy Fallon has reportedly apologized to his staff after past and current members of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon claimed he had fostered a "toxic" work environment. On Thursday morning (September 7), Rolling Stone published a report that alleged that “The Tonight Show has been a toxic workplace for years” due to Fallon’s “erratic behavior.” The outlet reportedly spoke with 14 former employees and two current ones (the publication reportedly contacted about 80 employees). Hours after their article was published, Rolling Stone reported that the talk show host and showrunner Chris Miller addressed the recent claims over a Zoom call with employees.
Fallon's Apology and Plans for The Tonight Show
Apparently, the two employees who joined the Zoom meeting claimed that Fallon, 48, said he didn't intend to "create that type of atmosphere for the show." They added that he said during the call, "It's embarrassing, and I feel so bad. Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends… I feel so bad I can’t even tell you." The current employees noted that Fallon's apology “felt pretty earnest” and claimed the comedian acknowledged the constant change in leadership regarding its showrunners, emphasizing how Miller was “a great leader” and that there were no plans of that changing. Fallon allegedly added, "I want the show to be fun, [it] should be inclusive to everybody. It should be the best show."
RELATED: Jimmy Fallon Issues Apology for 2000 ‘SNL’ Blackface Sketch
Following Rolling Stone’s initial expose, NBC told People in a statement: “We are incredibly proud of The Tonight Show, and providing a respectful working environment is a top priority. As in any workplace, we have had employees raise issues; those have been investigated, and action has been taken where appropriate. As is always the case, we encourage employees who feel they have experienced or observed behavior inconsistent with our policies to report their concerns so that we may address them accordingly.”
Employees Describe Fallon's Workplace
In the Rolling Stone story, employees said they witnessed Fallon “snap at crew members, express irritation over the smallest of things, and berate and belittle staffers out of frustration." However, one staffer described him to People as "super communicative" and "a really, really positive guy." The employee noted that Fallon "makes a point of commending you when you do a great job and when he's happy." He added that the host has been "very constructive and helpful for me in continuing to put together a show that he's happy with. I've never been belittled, yelled at, nothing like that. It's all exactly how a boss should give feedback to an employee." The outlet noted that “while many of them praised Fallon’s talent and comedic gifts, no one agreed to speak on the record out of fear of retaliation or had positive things to say about working on The Tonight Show.” Nor would any of the program’s nine showrunners since 2014 gave any statements of support.
Time’s 2022 ‘100Next’: 14 Entertainers We’re Thrilled Made the List
Time magazine published its annual TIME100 Next list Wednesday (September 28), recognizing 100 rising stars from across industries and around the world. The publication goes about choosing its list by deciding which 100 rising stars -- from medical professionals, government officials, movement leaders, high-profile whistle-blowers, top CEOs, musicians and actors by their impact to the world.
As Time states, "There is no one way to have an impact, so there is no one way by which Time measures the influence essential to its selections."
One of this year's featured artists is television host, singer and actress Keke Palmer, who most recently starred in Jordan Peele's Nope and hosts the rebooted game show classic Password. She has been in the entertainment industry for 20 years now, getting her major acting breakthrough with Akeelah and the Bee (2006).
In her Time 100 video profile, Keke said that Black American filmmakers like Jordan Peele and Tyler Perry breaking the box office down with their success is something we "want more of it. The more that we have of it, the more different perspectives we can get. Everybody's perspective isn't the same."
Keke also shared advice for those wanting to break it big in the industry: "Do what you can with what you got. Tell your story, get your idea out there" via reels, Instagram and TikTok.
Palmer, 29, said on Instagram of Queen Latifah being the person tasked with writing about her, "I am soooo thankful for all the beautiful things you said about me @queenlatifah. What an incredible surprise from someone who has mentored me my entire career. My love for you is endless, till this day when someone messes with me.. I let them know I’m gonna tellllllll my auntie."
As we previously reported, Lil Nas X, Britney Spears and Billie Eilish made the list last year. As always, a person of importance writes up the commentary on who Time chooses for their list -- Kid Cudi wrote Lil Nas X's, Paris Hilton wrote Britney's and Megan Thee Stallion wrote Billie's.
We took their list and compiled our favorite 14 A-list actors and musicians below.
Sydney Sweeney
David Livingston/Getty ImagesSydney's 'Euphoria' sister, Maude Apatow described her "front-row seat" of watching her grow up. She said of her acting, "I’ve never met anyone who works harder or who is more inventive. One moment she will make you cry tears of laughter and the next she will break your heart. Sydney is an unstoppable force." In addition to her acting work Maude praised Sydney's abilities to "produce a movie, fix a car, fight you MMA-style, and dazzle on the red carpet all in the same day."
Keke Palmer
Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for UniversalYou may remember Keke Palmer from 'Akeelah and the Bee,' but the child star turned into a serious acting threat, also expanding into singing and hosting. Queen Latifah said that she "is one of the most talented human beings I’ve ever met," adding that "this young champion has been inspiring adults for many, many years."
FKA Twigs
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty ImagesFKA Twigs music career exploded after the music video for "Cellophane" came out, where she is pole dancing in a beautifully elegant yet haunting way. Courtney Love said her dancing was "like a lightning rod." She adds of her most recent mistape 'Caprisongs' that Twigs spills her guts and that the music is "in every muscle in her body."
Finneas
Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesBillie Eilish's brother has made quite a name for himself in the music industry by showcasing what his writing can do with the success of his little sister's music career. Glen Hansard loves Finneas' approach to music-making. "What I love most about Finneas is that he’s concerned with the songs first. And then what those songs sound like, and then where they fit, and then, culturally, how they function." He adds that what sets Finneas and Billie apart is that they are "just themselves, and the result is paradigm-shifting and powerful."
Machine Gun Kelly
Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesMachine Gun Kelly's tour mate Avril Lavigne says of watching him performing, "You can’t help but love him even more because he puts on such a good show. You never know what he will do next. He might hang from a helicopter, climb up 60 feet of scaffolding, or zip-line across a stadium." The sk8er girl adds that MGK is "constantly raising the bar for himself and for the world around him. That attitude can inspire a new generation."
Lily Collins
Jon Kopaloff/Getty ImagesDarren Star says of the 'Emily in Paris' actress that "her smile can light up a room or a screen. Her warmth lifts everybody up with her. Romantic comedy is much harder than it looks, but Lily makes it seem effortless."
Sadie Sink
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty ImagesThe 'Stranger Things' actress became a star in the last season and people definitely took notice. Co-star Winona Ryder wrote her name down after watching her on "The Americans" and knew she was someone "extraordinary, someone to watch." After working together on the Netflix show, Ryder adds, "Sadie is this creative acrobat and she’s on this balance beam that very few have the courage to walk. And she just goes and does it—all with such great focus and poise."
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Universal PicturesYahya Abdul-Mateen II has played some pretty impressive roles in his acting career, from Black Manta in 'Aquaman,' to Bobby Seale in the historical legal drama 'The Trial of the Chicago 7." Jason Momoa said of his fellow DCEU actor, "It’s extremely challenging to transform your body into playing these superhero characters." Respecting his craft, Momoa has told him that he wants to know if he sees a "role where I get to support you in something."
Jack Harlow
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesJack Harlow's "What’s Poppin?" went viral on TikTok in 2020, but what really catapulted him into pop culture was his feature on Lil Nas X's "Industry Baby." Jimmy Fallon said that the first time he heard the song, "I couldn’t have pulled my phone out any faster to Shazam the song." He added, "This is just the beginning for Jack Harlow."
Lashana Lynch
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesStarring as Maria Rambeau in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, Lashana Lynch has landed some pretty impressive roles, like 'The Woman King.' Co-star Viola Davis said she is "she holds bold, quiet, unapologetic confidence and the wisdom of knowing what she was put on this earth to do—and a willingness to inject it in others. It is that rare gift that only lives in our heroes."
Jennette McCurdy
David Livingston/Getty ImagesJennette McCurdy has had a breakout year thanks, in part, to the release of her bold memoir 'I'm Glad My Mom Died.' When honoring McCurdy, Molly Shannon said of her work writing the book, "She had to find her voice to survive. And what a powerful voice it is! She really brings you into her world of being a child star, living out her mother’s unfulfilled dreams, and then finding recovery. Her mom as a character jumps off the page along with Jennette as a kid—I sometimes felt like I was in the car with them on the way to an audition."
Joe Alwyn
Joe Maher/Getty ImagesBesides being Taylor Swift's longtime boyfriend, Alwyn starred in this year's 'Conversations With Friends.' Ryan Reynolds said of the actor, "Joe Alwyn will surprise you. He’s managed to do all this while evading the industry’s tried-and-true ability to label and pigeonhole a performer. He lives at the intersection of enigmatic mystery and fun drinking buddy."
Jonathan Majors
Rich Fury/Getty ImagesJonathan Majors has played in some really cool roles in the last few years. From 'The Last Black Man in San Francisco' to 'Lovecraft Country,' Majors has shown so many layers. Michael B. Jordan agrees, saying, "He’s a chameleon. As he dissolves into these different characters, you can’t help but be blown away by his talent. There’s something really captivating about his presence, and the choices he makes as an actor." He said of his 'Creed III' co-star, "He allows people to go on the character’s journey. That’s a really great quality for an actor to have because it invites you into the film’s world."
SZA
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/VogueSZA has shown what it means to be an R&B singer in 2022, breaking down barriers. Lizzo said of her debut studio album 'CTRL,' "It was a cultural f---ing reset. She changed the world! The authenticity in her craft—the way she’s able to tell her story and the way she uses melody—is extraordinary. No one can replicate that."
