After only one episode, Ayesha Curry’s Great American Baking Show has been pulled from ABC following sexual harassment reports against show judge Johnny Iuzzini.
ABC has cut ties with Iuzzini and will not air the remainder of the episodes for the season.
Four former employees of the celebrity chef accused Iuzzini of sexual harassment and abuse. One of the employees told Mic Iuzzini approached her and stuck his tongue in her ear on multiple occasions, leaving her in tears. Another employee said he would often touch female employees in the rear with knives, spoons, and other kitchen items.
Iuzzini was accused of also being verbally abusing and being prone to screaming.
In a statement, Iuzzini said he was shattered and heartbroken that his actions left members of this team hurt or degraded and that he was sorry to those he hurt.
“I began working in kitchens when I was 15 years old, back in a time when it was rare to see women in the kitchen, and behavior was more bawdy than professional,” Iuzzini said. “This was the behavior I learned as a boy, and for too many years participated in during my restaurant career. And it was wrong.”
Curry was a co-host of the third season of Great American Baking Show that premiered on Dec. 7. The second episode of the show was scheduled to air Thursday night but will be replaced.
