America’s Got Talent has officially revealed the judging panel for Season 20 of the show, and there’s one notable change. Longtime judge Heidi Klum will not be sitting at the table this year, as former judge Mel B returns to fill her seat.
Mel B to Replace Heidi Klum on AGT Season 20
Deadline reported on Monday that Klum is leaving the AGT judging panel after appearing on the show for 11 out of the past 12 seasons. She will be replaced by Mel B, who previously appeared as a judge from Season 8 to Season 13.
This is the first time the judging panel on the main AGT series has changed since Season 15, when Sofia Vergara joined the show. Since her departure from the main panel in Season 13, Mel B has returned to judge both AGT: The Champions in 2019 and AGT: Fantasy League in 2024.
The Season 20 judging panel will also feature returning judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, and Sofia Vergara. Terry Crews will be back to host the season. Mel B has sat on the panel with Cowell and Mandel in past seasons, but this will be her first time judging alongside Vergara.
There was some debate among fans about whether Klum would be back for Season 20, as it was recently announced that she’ll be returning as the host of Project Runway. An AGT rep said of Klum in a statement, “We’d love for our paths to cross again.”
WERE THE ‘AMERICA’S GOT TALENT’ SEASON 20 JUDGES JUST CONFIRMED?
When Does the New Season Premiere?
On Monday, AGT shared an image on social media revealing the Season 20 judges. The show also revealed that the new season will premiere on Tuesday, May 27, on NBC. Episodes will be available to stream the next day on Peacock. Live shows will reportedly kick off on August 19, with results airing on Wednesday nights.
Auditions for the new season are currently open, and there are several ways to try out. Hopefuls can submit video auditions online, or they can attend last-chance virtual auditions (hosted by Sofie Dossi) on February 25.
In-person auditions will also take place in Pasadena, California on March 10. Meanwhile, Howie Mandel will be hosting a Comedy Showcase in the Los Angeles area for hopeful comedians to audition on February 6. More information about all of these opportunities can be found on the AGT auditions website.
What do you think about this latest AGT news? Are you sad that Klum is leaving? Are you excited to see Mel B back on the judging panel? Let us know in the comments below.
