AGT is in the middle of season 21’s live shows on NBC.
Judge Simon Cowell will reportedly step away from the show to recover from back surgery related to a 2020 e-bike injury.
The TV personality has spoken out over the years about his back and the aftermath of his bike accident.
Things may look a little different on America’s Got Talent moving forward.
The hit NBC series is in its live shows phase, where the top finalists vie for the $1 million prize. While judges Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Mel B, and Howie Mandel give feedback, fans' votes determine which acts make it through.
However, multiple reports indicate that there will be a massive shake-up to the judges’ table over the next few weeks. According to TMZ, Simon is set to undergo surgery related to a back injury from 2020. The procedure will reportedly keep Simon from judging AGT as he recovers.
The former American Idol judge fell off his e-bike at home in Malibu, California. He broke his back and underwent a lengthy operation, which included metal rods and screws inserted into his back. When he spoke to Extra about the incident in 2021, he said he realized how lucky he was to be alive afterward.
“When I saw the X-ray, I really nearly could have smashed my spine to pieces, so I literally wouldn’t have been able to walk,” he told the outlet at the time. “I knew I’d broken my back the minute I landed… it was really, really kind of sudden and it hurt.”
Simon’s likely time off may make fans wonder who will step in for him to judge the August 25 episode—and there are lots of options. The show has had plenty of judges over the years, including Brandy Norwood, Howard Stern, David Hasselhoff, Sharon Osbourne, Julianne Hough, Piers Morgan, and Gabrielle Union. A fan-favorite judge may return, or the show may do something totally new.
Feel better, Simon!
