Former Sony Executives File Discrimination Complaints

Two former executives from Sony Pictures' 'Jeopardy!' and 'Wheel of Fortune', Shelley Ballance Ellis and Monique Diaz, have filed complaints claiming they were unlawfully discriminated against based on race, gender, and age, and retaliated against for raising concerns about toxic work conditions. Both women allege they were terminated in April 2024 for opposing discrimination, with Ballance Ellis citing her status as the highest-ranking Black production executive and detailing multiple instances of racial insensitivity in the workplace. They report being subjected to disparaging remarks about Black contestants, pay inequities, and being passed over for promotions compared to white colleagues. The California Civil Rights Department and the National Labor Relations Board will investigate these allegations amid broader discussions about diversity and discrimination in the entertainment industry. Sony Pictures has not publicly responded to the complaints, which have drawn attention to the challenges faced by employees of color in media production. The case highlights ongoing issues around workplace equity and racial bias in popular television programs.