Howie Mandel, Mel B and Heidi Klum will return as judges to NBC’s top-rated summer competition series “America’s Got Talent,” joining previously announced new judge and “Got Talent” creator Simon Cowell.
Nick Cannon will again assume hosting duties as the show returns to Los Angeles for its live performance and results shows and heads into a milestone second decade on the air.
The announcement was made by Paul Telegdy, President of Alternative and Late-Night Programming, NBC Entertainment.
“Howie, Mel and Heidi have an undeniable chemistry together and bring unbridled energy to everything they do,” said Telegdy. “We are very excited to bring them back along with Nick Cannon as host, and with the addition of creator Simon Cowell as a judge, the panel just got a little more interesting. We can’t wait for the new season to begin.”
“Without sounding too arrogant I am going to call us the Fantastic Four,” said Cowell. “I like this panel because they are slightly nuts. And now let’s find a star.”
“It’s great to have Howie, Mel, Heidi and Nick back on AGT and to welcome Simon and his unique judging style. This panel knows how to spot great talent and how to have a lot of fun while doing it. It’s going to be an entertaining season!” said Trish Kinane, FremantleMedia North America President of Entertainment Programming and AGT Executive Producer.
Klum and Mel B are returning as judges for their fourth season. Mandel returns for his seventh season.
Rowell was born and raised on Maui, Hawai’i, and now lives in the almost-as-green Pacific Northwest. He’s obsessed with Cirque du Soleil, loves teen dramas (especially those with a supernatural element) and horror movies, and is addicted to sushi. Prior to PopWire, he created individual fan sites for the shows Friends, Hellcats, Nikita and others, which led to creating and working on OMFGTV.