*****Please read the issues which she had w/ Fox in regards to her hair - and it's not even "happily natural".
'Divorce Court' Judge Mablean Ephraim Discusses Details of Recent Separation
from Show
LOS ANGELES--Popular television "Divorce Court" Judge Mablean Ephraim held a
press conference at the Los Angeles Sentinel
Judge Mablean Ephraim Statement
Good morning. Thank you all for coming. I called this press conference
today to address the issue of my departure from Fox Television as the Judge
of Divorce Court. It is true. I will no longer be the Judge of Divorce
Court as of the Fall Season, 2006. However, it is not true that I "decided
to step down after seven years".
The truth is that Fox and I were unable to reach an agreement, after several
months of negotiations. I was willing to stay. Fox was unwilling to pay.
After seven years of a successful show run, the deal Fox offered me was
substantially less than all of the other court show judges. Though I made
several offers of reduction from my initial demand, in an effort to reach a
settlement, Fox remained firm in its "low-ball offer" and finally, its
"take- or -leave it offer" which contained a very small increase from its
initial position, coupled with some other unreasonable demands. Fox took
the position that in order to receive this small increase (which was still
unequal); there would be "significant production changes". I simply
requested equal pay for equal work. Is this too much to ask?
The most unacceptable demand to me was when Fox said, "There will be no
changes in the current hairstyle to avoid time consuming issues regarding
her hair," I found this to be offensive. The requirement also comes very
close to a violation, if it does not in fact violate, the Fair Employment
Practices Act. An employer cannot demand one to wear a particular hairstyle
unless it directly affects or impacts the employee's ability to perform his
or her employment duties. My hairstyle does not meet this criteria, it is,
however, a racial and ethnic issue. Suddenly, after seven years of a show
that has run neck- in- neck with the other top rated court shows, why is my
hair an issue. Why, I ask? Because of my ethnicity - African American,
Black, Negro, whatever term you prefer to use. Because of my genetics
(short, curly, hair) which requires the use of chemicals and/or a hot
pressing comb to straighten and curlers to style. It cannot be styled by a
wash, blow dry and set. Therefore, in Fox's opinion, it is a time consuming
issue. I wore a short hairstyle which was my own hair. Due to a
misapplication of a chemical process, I lost a substantial amount of hair in
season six. Out of my desire to maintain continuity, and the image I had
created (for the last five years), I elected to wear a wig last year for
continuity. Had Fox asked me to maintain a short hairstyle for continuity
and for image, it would have been a different issue. But they are saying I
must continue to wear the wig because that would expedite the hair styling
process. However, my hair has now grown. I had not yet decided what
hairstyle I would wear for season eight. If I were to accept their demands,
I would have been unable to make that decision.
I therefore ask the question, when will Fox and the rest of America accept
our cultural differences as African Americans and embrace us with all of our
different hairstyles, hair textures, hair color, skin color, skin
differences, whatever it may be? We take the time to learn about them, to
learn about the different cultures in our society. They however have still
chosen to neglect us, to disrespect us, and refuse to see us. We are still
the invisible person. The fact that it takes more time to style my hair than
my Caucasian sisters, in general, should not be an issue. What is more
interesting about this demand is that I have never caused time to be an
issue because of my hair. I have been conscious and aware of the fact that
it does take more time to style my hair. Therefore, I set my call time
earlier than any of the other staff to assure that I was ready in time for
the schedule. More importantly, I had the chemical work done off the set at
my expense. The only thing that had to be done on set was the pressing and
styling. It has worked for seven years. There were several other demands,
which in my opinion would diminish the quality of the show.
Tape seven shows per day (sometimes eight), instead of six. In meeting with
Fox executives early this season, we had discussed seven shows. I indicated
at that time that I could not do this effectively and produce quality shows.
Divorce is a very emotional issue. For me, when I am handling these shows
it's not about entertainment, it's about making life changing differences in
the lives of those standing before me. As well as ultimately the viewers.
Divorce has a lot of issues and you see them on Divorce Court, but they
affect all of us race, color, creed, regardless of economic status. The
issues that we addressed on Divorce Court affects America.
No vacation time during tape schedule. My national church convocation in
November is the only vacation I take during tape season. Will I now not be
allowed to observe my religious practice? "This was non-negotiable for me.
I believe this infringes on my freedom of religious belief? The other
times-off from taping were promotional appearances. These I did at the
request of the civic groups, schools, churches, women groups, and non-profit
organizations such as the Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage, which
benefits Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) based on my
celebrity status. These were engagements which came by my publicist,
personal assistant, and me. They promoted DIVORCE COURT.
It was work, not vacation. More importantly, the majority of them were
done on weekends, or nights and did not interfere with the taping of Divorce
Court schedule. However, FOX did not appreciate this and insisted that I would be unable to make these appearances during the tape schedule. There were several other issues related to the tape schedule and taping itself which were unfair to the staff and crew of Divorce Court, as well as me. For instance, "we no longer will be able to pay for the holiday luncheon" stated Fox. Divorce Court has one catered meal the entire season, the Christmas holiday luncheon, before hiatus. This would be cut out if I
were to be paid the small increase. This would not be fair to the staff and crew.
Not only have I been impacted but my personal assistant Princess and my
daughter, Darlene Allen. Darlene was head of the wardrobe department. She
too now has been terminated. I bring up these issues not out of the desire
to seek any legal actions toward Fox, but to raise awareness, to appreciate
cultural differences, and diversity.
I thank Fox for the last seven years, for the opportunity, for the exposure.
I also thank Fox for refusing to pay me what I know I was worth. It set me
free to ascend to higher ground. To go beyond before. I firmly believe
that God has a better plan for my life.
I thank my family, my friends, my fellow church members, and my fans. Thank
you for your love and support. Thank you for watching Divorce Court. Thank
you for allowing me into your homes, your lives, and your hearts for seven
years. Don't shut off that dial. Keep watching, I have not left. Eyes
have not seen, ears have not heard, what good things God has in store for
me. Stay tuned for more. In the words of Maya Angelou, "And still I rise."