News | Entertainment
16 Feb 2026 17:49
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Simon Cowell is returning to 'America's Got Talent' alongside Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara

    The new season of the long-running talent show will see the same judging panel back for the 16th series


    Terry Crews will also return as the host.

    A press release states: “To celebrate the return of America’s favourite judging panel, ‘AGT’ will be hosting one final nationwide ‘Last Chance Audition’ for the upcoming season on Saturday, March 6."

    Hopefuls need to register over at AGTAuditions.com to book “a virtual audition slot” to be in with the chance of performing in front of the judges.

    Last summer, Kelly Clarkson - who was judged by Simon when she appeared on, and won, the first series of 'American Idol' - stepped in to temporarily replace the 61-year-old music mogul, after he was rushed to hospital to undergo a six-hour surgery after falling off his electric bicycle at his home in Malibu, California.

    As a result of his injuries, he wasn't able to appear on the panel for the first few episodes of the NBC show.

    However, Simon recently revealed he is feeling “better” now than before he broke his back in August.

    In a joint interview with his co-star Sofia, he said: "I've got to be honest with you, it wasn't that bad actually breaking your back. I mean it wasn't great for 3-4 weeks but after that you get through it. I had to do so much exercise now. I actually feel better than I did before the accident."

    He then quipped: "If you want to feel healthier, break your back.”

    Simon also joked that his co-stars had a “better time” without him.

    But Sofia insisted he was wrong and claimed she had “nightmares” about his condition.

    She said: "For me I had nightmares, it was heart-breaking to me not to have Simon my first season. I thought I needed him to back me up and teach me, to guide me. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, I lost like 6lbs, I cried myself to sleep."

    A release date for the premiere of the 16th season of 'AGT' will be confirmed in due course.

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     16 Feb: 'Signal sniffers' used to detect missing person Nancy Guthrie's pacemaker
     16 Feb: Stephen Graham is reportedly set to front a rebrand of Stone Island
     16 Feb: Sydney Sweeney has "always been tapped into fashion"
     16 Feb: James Van Der Beek's family have reached their GoFundMe target in less than 24 hours
     16 Feb: Madison Beer doesn't worry about chart success
     16 Feb: DNA recovered from glove found near Guthrie home that appears to match suspect's glove, FBI says
     15 Feb: Heather McComb will remember James Van Der Beek as being "innocent, kind and pure of heart"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Let's go to Livigno... and qualifying for the freeski big air More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    People didn't reach into their pockets as much as retailers hoped, over summer More...



     Today's News

    Rugby League:
    NRL boss Andrew Abdo believes the change in State of Origin eligibility rules will help modernise rugby league 17:37

    Entertainment:
    'Signal sniffers' used to detect missing person Nancy Guthrie's pacemaker 17:37

    Business:
    People didn't reach into their pockets as much as retailers hoped, over summer 17:27

    Entertainment:
    Stephen Graham is reportedly set to front a rebrand of Stone Island 17:27

    Basketball:
    The Stars have beaten the Stripes to win the NBA All-Star Game final 47-21 in California 16:57

    Entertainment:
    Sydney Sweeney has "always been tapped into fashion" 16:57

    Entertainment:
    James Van Der Beek's family have reached their GoFundMe target in less than 24 hours 16:27

    Rugby League:
    State of Origin might be coming to New Zealand but a change in timeslot won't be coming with it 16:17

    Entertainment:
    Madison Beer doesn't worry about chart success 15:57

    Health & Safety:
    A prisoner with a burst appendix claimed she was told to ride out painful and worsening symptoms - a nurse said was just a stomach bug 15:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd