Heidi Klum (53) is returning to the judging panel of America’s Got Talent. On September 8, the model will step in for British television producer Simon Cowell (66), who is still recovering from back surgery. NBC announced the development on Wednesday evening.
Klum will take over for a special episode: With the final round of the quarterfinals of season 21 looming, the episode will be extended to three hours. All performances and results will be presented in a single broadcast. By the end of the night, it will be decided which sixteen acts will continue to compete for the million-dollar prize. The separate episode on Wednesday, September 9, will be canceled as a result.
Comeback after two years
Heidi Klum brings plenty of AGT experience to the table. She sat on the judging panel from 2013 to 2018 and again from 2020 to 2024, across eleven seasons and nearly 250 episodes, in addition to the spinoffs AGT: Fantasy Leagues, AGT: All-Stars, and AGT: The Champions. After she was brought back as the host of Project Runway in 2025, she bid farewell after Season 19.
Thompson kept the chair warm
Joining her to judge next week as usual will be Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara, and Mel B. Recently, comedian Kenan Thompson stepped in for the injured Simon Cowell, as he did in 2020.
Cowell’s absence due to back surgery was confirmed by his spokesperson in August to Entertainment Weekly. Medical questions are private, but the producer described the procedure as routine, and Cowell was expected to be back on the show in a few weeks.
The producer suffered a fall in August 2020 in the courtyard of his Malibu home while riding an e-bike, vaulting roughly two and a half meters into the air. He broke his back and required several hours of surgery, and the incident continues to affect him today.
The 21st season of America’s Got Talent has been airing since June 2 and will wrap on September 23. Usually the show airs on NBC on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. (spot)
Marcy Ellerton
