Yahoo Lifestyle 'AGT' Fans, Heidi Klum Teased the Big Reason Behind Her Season 20 Exit
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
America's Got Talent loves to throw curveballs at audiences — and boy did the show drop a twist we didn't expect.
For the last few years, longtime viewers have become familiar with Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel as the four judges overseeing the NBC competition series. While there have been shifts in who sat at the judges' panel over time, this quartet has become a staple — and people love their dynamic. But in a surprise turn of events, it looks like the band is breaking up... and it's happening before new episodes are set to air this summer.
After weeks of speculation from fans about whether Heidi would be leaving AGT ahead of season 20, Deadline confirmed that Heidi is exiting the show. However, there may be a very good reason behind her decision.
Why is Heidi Klum leaving America's Got Talent?
While Heidi never explicitly stated her reason behind exiting AGT, she was part of a major announcement that has her going back to a project she was long apart of.
In early January, fans learned Heidi would be returning to Project Runway as the host for the show's season 21. She previously left the series in 2017, after being well-known as both a host and judge for the first 16 seasons. She later went on to star in Making the Cut and be a prominent figure on Germany's Next Top Model, all while judging AGT.
To celebrate the news, Heidi went on Instagram to post a throwback photo of her pregnant while hosting the hit fashion competition series. "Mother is coming home ❤️," she captioned the image on February 3. "Excited to return to one of my first babies: Project Runway!"
Who is replacing Heidi Klum as a judge on America's Got Talent season 20?
Now that we know Heidi is not returning for AGT season 20, fans were eager to know who would be taking her spot at the judges' panel. Well, a familiar face is coming back to the show, as news broke Melanie "Mel B" Brown will return as a judge.
AGT announced on Instagram on February 3 that she'll be joining Simon, Sofía and Howie as judges. What's more, the show shared it won't be long before we get to see Mel B on our screens again, as new episodes air beginning May 27, 2025 on NBC.
"Get ready for a Golden Buzzer summer. ✨," read the caption. "#AGT premieres Tuesday, May 27 on NBC and streaming next day on @peacock."
As far as Mel B's history with AGT, she first joined the series as a judge for season 8 in 2013. She eventually left in 2018 after appearing for six seasons, but she later returned to judge the spinoff shows America's Got Talent: The Champions and America's Got Talent: Fantasy League.
You Might Also Like
