The rumors are true! Actress Sofia Vergara joins NBC’s summer competitive reality show America’s Got Talent as a new judge this season, alongside returning judge Heidi Klum. Executive producer Simon Cowell returns to the judging panel with Howie Mandel. Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Terry Crews returns as America’s Got Talent’s host.
America’s Got Talent will begin filming in Pasadena, Calif on March 2. Get your tickets at On Camera Audiences.
“I’m so happy to join my new family on ‘AGT,’” Sofia said. “This is a new and exciting next chapter for me and I’m extremely proud to be the first Latin judge on the show. I can’t wait to watch all the talent and have fun with all you guys!”
“I’m so excited to be back at AGT’ with Simon, Howie and Terry. The fact that Sofia Vergara is joining us is the icing on an already delicious cake,” Heidi said.
Heidi and Mel B were let go at the end of the 2018 season to make way for Julianne Hough and Gabrielle Union on the panel. However, the new panel members had a short tenure. After it was announced the two were not returning, reports that AGT fostered a toxic environment on set leaked. Gabrielle fought back and NBC is currently investigating the claims.
But onwards and upwards as NBC welcomes Sofia and a returning Heidi to the panel.
“Sofia’s infectious energy and sharp wit will blend perfectly with returning favorites Heidi, Simon, Howie, and Terry. As both a respected actress and successful entrepreneur, she embodies the American dream that is synonymous with AGT’s transformative stage,” said Meredith Ahr, President, Alternative & Reality Group, NBC Entertainment.
“As we head into our milestone 15th season, we are excited to welcome Sofia to the AGT family,” said Trish Kinane, President of Entertainment Programming, Fremantle. “We are also delighted at the return of the amazing Heidi Klum and look forward to a lot of fun as these dynamic, accomplished women join Simon, Howie and host Terry Crews to inspire contestants in a fun-filled and unpredictable series.”
Sofia is coming off a long 11-season run as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on ABC’s comedy Modern Family where she was nominated for four Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. In addition, she was nominated four times for a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
In addition, the Columbia native has starred in films including Hot Pursuit, Fading Gigolo, Chef, Wild Card, Happy Feet 2 and Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns and Madea Goes to Jail.
Heidi, who is currently a judge on NBC’s midseason series America’s Got Talent: The Champions, returns to the AGT stage after serving as a judge on seasons eight through 13 (2013-18).
Heidi was host, co-creator and executive producer of Project Runway for 16 seasons. Under her tenure, the show received 14 consecutive Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Reality Competition program – the second-most nominations in the category’s history – and in 2013, she won an Emmy as Outstanding Television Host. She also hosts and executive produces Germany’s Next Top Model. Her most recent projects include executive producing and hosting Queen of Drags, a German drag competition series and co-creator, host and executive producer of Amazon Prime Video’s new fashion competition series, Making the Cut.
