Gabrielle Union has filed a discrimination complaint against Simon Cowell and the producers of America's Got Talent following her dismissal from the show last year.
Union, who is black, alleges she was sacked from her role as a judge for a "refusal to remain silent in the face of a toxic culture", which her lawyers say included racist jokes and performances.
There was an "excessive focus" on female judges' appearances, according to a complaint filed in California, as well as sexual orientation discrimination and and race-related comments.
Paul Telegdy, chairman of NBC Entertainment, is alleged to have "threatened" Union when she complained.
Cowell, the creator of America's Got Talent, is yet to respond while NBCUniversal, NBC Entertainment's parent company, issued a statement saying it is "categorically untrue" that anyone from the company threatened Union.
In her legal claim, filed with California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), Union alleges a list of complaints, including Cowell's smoking indoors on set, which, if true, would be against state laws.
NBC, alongside the other respondents, Cowell, his Syco production company and the Fremantle production company, are said to have allowed a contestant to perform in "blackface hands", despite producers voicing concerns the act was racist.
Union, known for her roles in films including Bring It On and Bad Boys II, also alleges she was discriminated against because of her hair. According to the complaint, an NBC executive told Union's manager her hair was "too wild" and that it needed to be "toned down".
The complaint states: "The critique of Union's hair, which was an unsolicited opinion... was subsequently interpreted as implying that her hair was 'too black'."
Union appeared on America's Got Talent for a single season, before she and fellow new judge Julianne Hough were not asked to return in November.
