News | Entertainment
2 Feb 2026 18:41
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
     02 Feb: Olivia Culpo "knew" Christian McCaffrey would be a "really good dad"
     02 Feb: Teddi Mellencamp is "still in immunotherapy"
     02 Feb: Charli xcx would "love" to do more acting
     02 Feb: Jesy Nelson was "very on edge about everything" when she took her twins home for the first time
     02 Feb: Jordin Sparks wants to speak to Halle Berry about "hormones and menopause"
     02 Feb: Jason Segel is staggered by how "handsome" Harrison Ford is at 83
     02 Feb: Queen have no intentions of performing in America again because the country "is a dangerous place at the moment", guitarist Sir Brian May has claimed
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Super Rugby have announced five law innovations ahead of the 30th anniversary season starting late next week More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    NZ’s $2.5 billion shoddy building bill: how to fix the ‘build now, fix later’ culture More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Olivia Culpo "knew" Christian McCaffrey would be a "really good dad" 18:31

    International:
    Found a PCOS 'cure' on social media? It might not be for you 18:17

    Living & Travel:
    Today in History, February 2: Balto and the dogs of 1925's Great Serum Run 18:07

    Law and Order:
    Police are nearing the final stages in their criminal investigation into the first explosion at the Pike River Mine 18:07

    Entertainment:
    Teddi Mellencamp is "still in immunotherapy" 18:01

    International:
    Grammy winners 2026: Bad Bunny takes home Album of The Year, Olivia Dean Best New Artist 17:47

    Politics:
    There'll be a wait until we learn the outcome of today's court case between expelled Te Pati Maori MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and her former party 17:47

    Entertainment:
    Charli xcx would "love" to do more acting 17:31

    Living & Travel:
    The SPCA's offering to help re-home ex-racing greyhounds when the industry comes to a close 17:27

    Entertainment:
    Jesy Nelson was "very on edge about everything" when she took her twins home for the first time 17:01


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd