It seems like Simon Cowell will not be returning to the America’s Got Talent stage anytime soon. Instead, Britain’s Got Talent judge KSI will be replacing the music mogul at the judges table.
KSI Sits in Simon Cowell’s Seat for AGT Finals
YouTuber and social media star KSI is making his debut on the American show’s judging panel this Tuesday. He will be sat alongside Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Mel B. This isn’t a completely out-of-the-blue replacement choice for the American iteration of the Got Talent series, since KSI has been involved with BGT for roughly two seasons.
He originally took part in the series in 2025 to fill in for Bruno Tonioli, while he dealt with other prior engagements during filming. Then, in 2026, KSI was promoted to full time judge replacing Tonioli. Around that time it was revealed that Tonioli had difficulties with traveling between the United Kingdom and America, since he was on both Dancing With the Stars and BGT at the same time.
In his short stint on BGT, he’s hit the Golden Buzzer five times. He’s hit the Golden Buzzer for Stacey Leadbeatter (2025 audition), Harry Moulding (2025 semifinals), Rafferty Cooper (2026 audition), Mr Cherry (2026 audition), and Liwei Yang (2026 semifinals).
Since he’s been apart of the Got Talent franchise for almost three years, the America’s Got Talent Final is in good hands. Though, Simon Cowell will understandably still be missed on the panel.
Who is KSI Outside of Got Talent?
Olajide Olatunji, also known as KSI, began going by his pseudonym at the age of 15. According to NBC Insider, his pseudonym stands for knowledge, strength, and Integrity. As KSI, he rose to fame on YouTuber that focused on streaming video games. By the time KSI was 21 (in 2015), he had already become a millionaire, just from his videos.
Roughly 10 years after rising to fame on YouTube, KSI branched out into music and boxing. He is currently the owner of Misfits Boxing, and has released two albums. He’s even a co-creator of worldwide soft drink company Prime, whom he owns with Logan Paul.
His fans are thrilled to see him appear on America’s Got Talent for the Finals. Be sure to tune into NBC at 9PM ET so you don’t miss a minute of the competition. The final 10 acts in the competition are Come Here, Acro Canine Crew, Geno Ploeger, Olivia Befus, Nene Royal, Royal Lasers, Hundred Fingers, Lai Noelle, Unitree, and Veronika Goroshkova.
Words by:
Corey Cesare Corey Cesare is Talent Recap's Managing Editor and featured YouTube Host. She has a love of all things pop culture and an unhealthy obsession with celebrities. Corey earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Cinema/Screen Studies from the State University of New York at Oswego in 2021. She spends her spare time shooting astro, nature, and portrait photography, and coming up with movie ideas that she hopes to make into a film someday.
