Can you believe America’s Got Talent is in the midst of its 20th season? NBC’s premiere variety competition series has been bringing incredible (and some not-so-incredible) talents into fans’ living rooms for almost two decades. Instead of getting complacent, AGT continues to innovate, creating spin offs with special All-Stars, The Champions, and Fantasy League editions. EP Simon Cowell, actress Sofia Vergara, and comedian Howie Mandel are back at the judges’ table to decide which acts move on, trusting their instincts and bantering back and forth.
Joining the trio is iconic singer, songwriter Mel B, who was on the series from Seasons 8-13. “Last time I was on the judging panel, I was in a very different place,” explained Mel B. “I was going through a horrible, coercive, emotionally abusive marriage and my dad died.” For the past 7 years, Mel B has rebuilt her life. “I’m turning 50; I’ve got a new house; I live on a farm; and, I am so happy to be here,” said Mel B. “I can’t erase what’s happened to me, but now I can help other people who have gone through or are currently going through the same experience.”
Since joining the show back in Season 14, Terry Crews continues to be the host with the most. For the first time ever, cameras will be behind the scenes to provide fans with an intimate look at this historic season. What is evident is the way that Crews supports the acts backstage. “Every person that comes through there becomes my family,” said Crews. “We have deep talks that have not made it to air until now.”
Crews pointed out hardships—such as domestic violence, poverty, being unhoused—that contestants have faced while trying to make it to get the AGT stage. “You do whatever you have to in order to make it here,” explained Crews. “My job is to help people continue to live their dream. I encourage them to keep going, no matter how difficult things may seem at the time.”
The judge with the longest tenure is Mandel, who has been with the show since Season 5. He credits the show’s long-term success to “engagement,” “relatability,” and “authenticity.” “You’re watching somebody like you, whose hopes and dreams can actually come true in that two minutes, and you’ve just gotta root for them,” explained Mandel.
“What I’ve learned after 15 years is that all I can offer is my honest opinion,” said Mandel, noting that that it’s normal and good that judges don’t all agree on which acts should move forward. “Mel loves something. I don’t get it. She’s confused. I love it. And that’s the beauty of the show,” gushed Mandel. Given the enthusiastic audience response, it’s no wonder that many of the show’s contestants have gone to perform on the Las Vegas Strip, including Terry Fator, Piff the Magic Dragon, Shin Lim, Mat Franco, and more.
So, who will be the breakout star of Season 2? Mandel has already hit his golden buzzer for Jourdan Blue, the 23-year-old singer who went from busking in New Orleans to the AGT stage. Despite his troubled past, Blue was taken in by his grandfather, honed his craft and started a family of his own. While Blue seems like a lock to make it to the finals, Mandel knows that anything can happen on the long-running series. “Just when you think you’ve seen everything, our show will show you that you ain’t seen nothing yet,” said Mandel. “Season 20 is bigger and better than ever before.”
America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.
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