‘America’s Got Talent’ Host Tyra Banks Accused Of Verbally Abusing Young Female Auditionee

Update 5/26/17- A rep for the show, on behalf of producers, shared this statement with International Business Times: “The Doe v. Marathon matter is rightfully being dismissed. We take great care of all acts that cross the AGT stage and their families. Tyra has been an incredible addition to AGT with her vibrant energy and maternal nurturing spirit, and we look forward to continuing to watch her positive influence on the show.”

Original Story:

“America’s Got Talent” Season 12 host Tyra Banks is in the middle of a huge controversy just months after she took over Nick Cannon’s role.

According to Deadline, Banks is being accused by a parent who claimed that the “America’s Next Top Model” creator physically manipulated and verbally abused her young daughter. The 18-page lawsuit filed in Los Angeles detailed how Banks and the judges on “America’s Got Talent” publicly humiliated them during a March 19 taping.

Read: “America’s Got Talent” Season 11 winner Grace Vanderwaal wins big at RDMA

The parents of the young girl auditioned on the show by performing a song that they co-wrote together. The track centered on motherhood and how much their lives have changed since the young girl’s birth. Unfortunately, the song didn’t impress Banks or any of the judges in the hit NBC reality TV competition.

To make things worse, the lawsuit claimed that Banks made fun of the girl, shook her shoulder and pulled her hair in an attempt to make fun of her. Banks is also being accused of telling the young girl that she was conceived by mistake. After her parents got off stage, Banks interviewed the young girl to ask what she thought of her parents’ performance. This resulted in even more trauma for the young girl.

A few weeks after the young girl’s parents’ audition, they urged NBC and the creators of “America’s Got Talent” to not release footage of their performance and interview on the show. The people behind the show agreed not to do so and acknowledged the young girl’s distress.

Meanwhile, Banks also received some constructive criticism from “America’s Got Talent” resident judge Simon Cowell. During his interview on “Today,” the music producer said that Banks still acts like a diva sometimes. However, the former “American Idol” judge clarified that he meant that as a compliment. Cowell also admitted that he was surprised by Cannon’s sudden decision to leave “AGT.”

“America’s Got Talent” Season 12 will premiere on NBC on May 30 at 8 p.m. EST. Judge Howie Mandel said that the upcoming episodes are nothing like the ones they’ve shown before. Last season, Mandel’s golden buzzer pick, Grace Vanderwaal, brought home the $1 million grand prize.