News | Entertainment
15 Jan 2026 23:22
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
     15 Jan: Jodie Foster goes into therapy every time she finishes a movie project because she becomes a "total couch potato" when the job is done
     15 Jan: George Clooney is adamant he is isn't "abandoning" Los Angeles since being granted French citizenship
     15 Jan: KSI has announced his retirement from boxing
     15 Jan: Emma Stone has found growing out her hair "unexpectedly very fun" after shaving off her locks for a film
     15 Jan: Pierce Brosnan is determined to enjoy the time he "has left" now he's in his 70s
     15 Jan: Ethan Hawke "loved" seeing his daughter Maya Hawke shine in Stranger Things
     15 Jan: Colman Domingo has thinks Euphoria season three will be "more cinema than television"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The search for Scott Robertson's replacement will begin immediately More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Signs of recovery in at least parts of the retail sector More...



     Today's News

    International:
    Negin Ghadimi wanted to share her voice in protest with Iranians, she died in her father's arms 22:07

    Rugby:
    The search for Scott Robertson's replacement will begin immediately 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Jodie Foster goes into therapy every time she finishes a movie project because she becomes a "total couch potato" when the job is done 21:53

    Technology:
    Iran internet blackout enters seventh day as US President Donald Trump says violence has 'stopped' 21:27

    Entertainment:
    George Clooney is adamant he is isn't "abandoning" Los Angeles since being granted French citizenship 21:23

    Environment:
    Thunderstorms are continuing to move through the North Island bringing heavy rain 21:17

    Entertainment:
    KSI has announced his retirement from boxing 20:53

    Entertainment:
    Emma Stone has found growing out her hair "unexpectedly very fun" after shaving off her locks for a film 20:23

    Entertainment:
    Pierce Brosnan is determined to enjoy the time he "has left" now he's in his 70s 19:53

    Entertainment:
    Ethan Hawke "loved" seeing his daughter Maya Hawke shine in Stranger Things 19:23


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd