Yahoo Lifestyle Heidi Klum Leaving ‘America’s Got Talent’, Mel B Returns As NBC Reality Series Sets Season 20 Premiere Date
NBC is making a change to its judges table for the upcoming 20th season of its summer juggernaut America’s Got Talent. Heidi Klum, who has been on the show for 11 of the past 12 seasons, is leaving. Her seat will be taken by Mel B, who served as a judge alongside Klum for Seasons 8-13. Mel B is joining returning judges Simon Cowell, who is the talent competition series’ creator and executive producer, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara. Also back is host Terry Crews. Season 20 is set to premiere May 27.
The news of Klum’s exit follows the announcement last month that she would be returning to Project Runway, a show she initially hosted on Bravo from 2004 to 2017. The reality competition is back for a new 10-episode season in 2025 to air on Disney’s Freeform and stream on Disney+ and Hulu.
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The announcement of Klum’s Project Runway return triggered immediate concern among AGT fans who wondered whether she could juggle both reality shows scheduling-wise. She previously did both AGT and Project Runway for five years, from 2013-2017. (Klum also serves as host and executive producer of Germany’s Next Top Model, which she has been doing alongside her U.S. TV duties since 2006.)
Adding to the confusion was the fact that a recent note on AGT‘s official ticketing site about canceled Los Angeles auditions due to the wildfires listed Klum among the Season 20 judges.
No one is commenting but according to sources, the judge swap may have been a business decision as Klum commands one of the top salaries in reality TV.
“Heidi has been an incredible part of AGT, bringing her signature charm, expertise and warmth to the show. We are enormously grateful for her many contributions and the impact she has had while celebrating the world’s greatest talent with us. We’d love for our paths to cross again,” a rep for AGT production said in a statement.
Klum joined AGT in Season 8. She and Mel B left after Season 13 as the show shook up its judges panel with Julianne Hough and Gabrielle Union joining Mandel and Cowell. Both Hough and Union were gone after one season in an exit surrounded by controversy. Klum was back in Season 14, joined by new judge Vergara.
Auditions for the 20th season of America’s Got Talent are currently underway. Mandel will host an audition Comedy Showcase on Thursday, Feb. 6 at the Ice House in Pasadena, Calif. Additionally, AGT finalist Sofie Dossi will host virtual auditions on Tuesday, Feb. 25 and in-person open call auditions will be held on Monday, March 10 at the Pasadena Civic Center.
The live shows will kick off at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium beginning Tuesday, Aug. 19 on NBC. Results shows will air Wednesday nights.
“It is absolutely brilliant to be able to announce this year as our 20th season,” said Cowell said. “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.”
For the 19th year in a row, America’s Got Talent was summer’s most watched broadcast alternative show. In September, America crowned middle school janitor and talented singer Richard Goodall the Season 19 winner.
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