News | Entertainment
29 Jan 2026 10:43
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
     29 Jan: Gary Barlow felt like an "enormous weight" was lifted when he ended his 15-year feud with Robbie Williams
     29 Jan: Simon Cowell has embraced a "wacky" wellness regime
     29 Jan: Liza Minnelli has hit back at trolls who claimed the vocals on her new song were created using AI
     29 Jan: Grimes and Elon Musk disagree over screen time for their children
     29 Jan: Simon Cowell went "too far" with his crushing put-downs on The X Factor - admitting he was a "d***" and is "sorry"
     29 Jan: Queen Camilla's charity is to study the benefits of book clubs
     29 Jan: Bethenny Frankel has been diagnosed with stage two chronic kidney disease
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    All Blacks are returning to Super Rugby franchises while the hunt for a new national coach remains the talking point More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The end of ‘Pax Americana’ and start of a ‘post-American’ era doesn’t necessarily mean the world will be less safe More...



     Today's News

    National:
    In his last book, Julian Barnes circles big ideas and reflects on his shortcomings 10:37

    Entertainment:
    Gary Barlow felt like an "enormous weight" was lifted when he ended his 15-year feud with Robbie Williams 10:31

    Business:
    The end of ‘Pax Americana’ and start of a ‘post-American’ era doesn’t necessarily mean the world will be less safe 10:27

    Health & Safety:
    Acutely ill patients are driving up demand for hospitals, leading to increased pressure on ambulances 10:27

    Environment:
    Fossil fuels are doomed – and Trump can’t save them 10:17

    National:
    Is time a fundamental part of reality? A quiet revolution in physics suggests not 10:07

    International:
    These are the sticking points as phase two of the Gaza ceasefire arrives 10:07

    Business:
    Plans to future-proof Queenstown's power supply - include a new transmission line from Cromwell 10:07

    Entertainment:
    Simon Cowell has embraced a "wacky" wellness regime 10:01

    Politics:
    Trump threatens Iran with 'major destruction' as US fleet arrives in Gulf 9:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd