Paramount TV President Amy Powell dismissed alleged racial comments

Amy Powell, director of the television division of entertainment giant Paramount Pictures, was fired following comments she made during a conference call, whose sources told the Hollywood Reporter than "racially charged" language.

Powell, who had been supervising Paramount TV since 2013, was fired after an internal investigation into his comments following a series of complaints. She denied making insensitive comments.

Paramount CEO Jim Gianopulos announced his dismissal from staff on Thursday in a note obtained and published by The Hollywood Reporter.

Gianopulos' note indicated that "several individuals" complained about Powell's comments in a "professional setting". He stated that a survey conducted by the company's human and legal departments concluded that what she said was "inconsistent with the values ​​of our business" and serious enough to warrant an immediate termination.

Gianopulos's note did not specify what Powell was saying or the exact context.

Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that the source of the complaints was racist comments that she had made during a conference call to discuss a humorous series in which most of the actors are black.

According to the History of Hollywood Reporter:

"According to sources, the remarks included racial language: sources claim that the provocative incident occurred during a studio call for the restart of Paramount Network's "First Wives Club." Tracy Oliver, co-writer of Girls Trip, will present a mostly black cast.

"Powell, who would have been a favorite of Viacom's CEO, Bob Bakish, would have generalizations about black women who hit the offensive call. "

Powell challenged the claims. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, she said, "There is no truth to the allegation that I made insensitive comments in a professional setting – or in any case. which frame. "

"The facts will come out and I will be justified."

Business Insider contacted Powell and Viacom, Paramount's parent company, for further comments.