Paramount TV President Amy Powell dismissed alleged racial comments

Amy Powell, director of the television division of entertainment giant Paramount Pictures, was fired following controversial comments she made at a meeting that allegedly included a "racially charged" language .

Powell, who oversaw Paramount TV since 2013, was fired after an internal investigation into his alleged comments following a series of complaints. She denied the allegations.

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

Gianopulos' memo said that "several individuals" complained about Powell's comments in a "professional setting". He stated that a survey conducted by the company's Human Resources and Legal Services found that what she said was "inconsistent with the values ​​of our business" and serious enough to warrant an immediate termination.

Gianopulos's note does not specify what Powell said, nor the exact context.

However, sources told The Hollywood Reporter that the source of the complaints were 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, comments included racially charged language. Sources say that the provocative incident occurred during a call of notes for the restart of the Paramount Network's "First Wives Club." "Powell, who would have been a favorite of Viacom's CEO, Bob Bakish, would have made generalizations about black women who hit some on the call like offensive, "said Tracy Oliver, co-writer of Girls Trip."

Powell refuted 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 Amy Powell and Viacom, Paramount's parent company, for further comments.