News | Entertainment
11 Feb 2026 5:54
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
     10 Feb: Dove Cameron wants her wedding dress to be "inclusive" and reference her queerness
     10 Feb: Katie Price and Peter Andre agree to move "into a new chapter with positivity and respect"
     10 Feb: Milo Ventimiglia wanted to be a "wonderparent" when his first child was born but the plan was derailed when his home burned down
     10 Feb: Bad Bunny has been suffering sleepless nights ahead of his performance at the Super Bowl halftime show
     10 Feb: Justin and Hailey Bieber are happy and focused "on their own lives"
     10 Feb: The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward in the search for Savannah Guthrie's missing mother Nancy
     10 Feb: Charles C. Stevenson Jr has died aged 95
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    A thumbs up from Crusaders flanker Ethan Blackadder ahead of their Super Rugby title defence, starting Friday against the Highlanders in Dunedin More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Energy Minister's now claiming the money gathered to pay for building a new LNG import facility - is neither a levy nor a tax on consumers More...



     Today's News

    Accident and Emergency:
    A person has died following a two-vehicle crash in Wairoa - while two others remain in a critical condition 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Dove Cameron wants her wedding dress to be "inclusive" and reference her queerness 21:51

    Entertainment:
    Katie Price and Peter Andre agree to move "into a new chapter with positivity and respect" 21:21

    International:
    Global Athlete accuses IOC of 'kowtowing' to Russia by including AIN athletes 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Milo Ventimiglia wanted to be a "wonderparent" when his first child was born but the plan was derailed when his home burned down 20:51

    Entertainment:
    Bad Bunny has been suffering sleepless nights ahead of his performance at the Super Bowl halftime show 20:21

    Entertainment:
    Justin and Hailey Bieber are happy and focused "on their own lives" 19:51

    Accident and Emergency:
    One person has died after a crash between a vehicle and a cyclist in Upper Hutt's Trentham 19:27

    Entertainment:
    The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward in the search for Savannah Guthrie's missing mother Nancy 19:21

    Cricket:
    The Black Caps insist they're well aware of the spirited start by the minor cricket nations at the T20 World Cup 18:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd