‘America’s Got Talent’ judge shake-up: Mel B is in, but who’s out?
Mel B is returning to the judges’ table for the landmark 20th season of America’s Got Talent, which begins May 27 on NBC. But if she’s in, who’s out?
The former Spice Girl will be sitting alongside Simon Cowell (his 10th season), Howie Mandel (his 16th season), and Sofia Vergara (her sixth season), which means Heidi Klum is stepping down … at least for now. Klum previously took a break in Season 14, but she returned the following year. It’s likely that Klum’s duties as the returning host of Project Runway are responsible for her missing this installment of AGT.
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Terry Crews is also back as the host of America’s Got Talent for the seventh consecutive cycle.
“It is absolutely brilliant to be able to announce this year as our 20th season,” said Cowell, who also serves as executive producer. “Over the years, we have seen some amazing acts and met some truly incredible people. It’s true that two or three minutes can change your life. I want to thank every contestant, all the fans who have supported the show every year and to NBC for believing in this show. And of course, the amazing team, past and present, who make the show so special. Now as always, I am really excited to meet the contestants this year.”
SEE‘America’s Got Talent’ winners list: All seasons, plus spin-offs
Mel B previously served as an AGT judge from Season 8 to Season 13, but then stepped away to pursue other ventures. She popped up last year as a judge on America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League, alongside Cowell, Mandel, and Klum. In that spin-off, the four judges were mentors to some of their favorite acts of all time. None of Mel B’s contestants made it into the top five, though she did help aerialist Aidan Bryant and rollerblading duo Billy & Emily England advance into the season finale.
The Season 20 auditions are currently underway, and aspiring contestants can submit their video applications online. Are YOU the next Golden Buzzer act that will make America cry tears of joy?
Per NBC, the Got Talent franchise has had “more than a billion global viewers since it began airing in 2006 in America and has aired in 194 territories worldwide.” It holds the Guinness World Records title as the Most Successful Reality Television Format, with more than 70 local versions produced across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. Here in the states, there have been four AGT spin-offs: The Champions, All-Stars, Fantasy League, and Extreme.
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