Julianne Hough is speaking out about her controversial exit from America’s Got Talent which has everybody talking.

As you’ll likely recall, news broke that Hough and Gabrielle Union would not return as judges after one season on the NBC series amid claims of a “toxic culture” on set. Now, the Footloose star is speaking out about why she’s “really happy” Union met with the network this week to discuss her grievances.

Related: Howard Stern SLAMS Simon Cowell Over Treatment Of Women On ‘AGT’

Chatting with ET on Wednesday in New York City, the Dancing with the Stars pro divulged:

“That’s awesome. Oh good. That’s amazing. Honestly, we’ve been here doing so many rehearsals I haven’t really looked at my phone, but that makes me really happy. That’s such an amazing step in shifting the paradigm of the workplace and it’s great.”

And as for why she’s not returning to season 15 of the show, Julianne said:

“My option was not picked up. I found out later as I had conversations. But everybody has their unique experiences whether it was on AGT or multiple other shows that people have. So everybody has their unique human experience. That’s what it is to be human and so I value everybody’s voice and I just feel like everybody should be heard. Whether that’s publicly or privately, I feel like everybody has that choice and that right.”

Without directly addressing Union’s claims, the 31-year-old also spoke with People Now on Tuesday about staying true to yourself:

“I know who I am, and as egocentric as this may sound, I totally and utterly love myself. And so I choose to, with whatever I do, just take all the lessons that I’ve learned and add them to my vocabulary and move forward.”

While she didn’t specifically discuss the allegations made against the show and its network, Miz Hough did diplomatically detail her thoughts on having an uplifting work environment:

“I just believe and value at the highest regard that everybody has a voice and should be heard, first and foremost. And then I believe that the paradigm of the workplace and how you do business and work with people now, it’s shifting, and I think that the people that really want to see change happen are going to authentically and positively… do that. And so that’s all I really have to say about that.”

Thoughts on what Julianne had to say, Perezcious readers? Share ’em (below) in the comments!!

[Image via FayesVision/WENN.]

The post Julianne Hough Praises Gabrielle Union & Addresses Her Own Exit From ‘America’s Got Talent’ Amid Controversy appeared first on Perez Hilton.