Heidi Klum will return to America’s Got Talent as a guest judge on Sept. 8, temporarily filling Simon Cowell’s seat while he recovers from back surgery, USA TODAY exclusively reports.
Heidi Klum returns to the AGT judging panel
Klum, 53, has extensive history with the NBC talent competition. She first joined the judging panel in 2013 for Season 8 and remained through Season 13 in 2018. After sitting out Season 14, she returned for Season 15 in 2020 and continued as a judge through Season 19 in 2024.
Klum’s final season ended on a high note when her Golden Buzzer act, singing janitor Richard Goodall, won the competition. She left the show after that season, and Mel B took her place on the judging panel.
America’s Got Talent announces special three-hour live episode
Klum’s return is not the only major change coming to AGT next week. Rather than airing episodes on Tuesday and Wednesday, the show will broadcast a special three-hour live episode on Tuesday, Sept. 8, because the NFL season opener is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9.
The Sept. 8 broadcast will include two hours of performances followed by an one-hour results show. Voting will remain open throughout the performance portion and close at 10:05 p.m. ET/7:05pm PT. The results will then be revealed during the third hour.
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Simon Cowell’s recovery from back surgery
Klum is the second guest judge to replace Cowell after the show confirmed that he would miss several weeks of the America’s Got Talent live shows for routine back surgery.
“He’s having an operation that cannot be postponed,” host Terry Crews explained during the Aug. 25 episode after pointing out that Cowell’s seat at the judge’s table was empty. “It’s not an emergency, but it can’t be put off. Simon, we are sending you our very best wishes for a speedy recovery, and we’re looking forward to seeing you back at the judges desk very soon.”
Saturday Night Live star Kenan Thompson was the first guest judge to take Cowell’s place, appearing on the Sept. 1 episode. USA TODAY reports that AGT is booking additional guest judges one week at a time.
America’s Got Talent premiered its 21st season on June 2, with the finale scheduled to air on NBC on Sept. 23. Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara and Mel B also serve as judges, while Crews hosts the series.
Source: www.usatoday.com
