America’s Got Talent is moving forward without Simon Cowell—at least temporarily—as the longtime judge steps away from the show to undergo back surgery.
With Season 21 already underway, Cowell had been traveling alongside fellow judges Howie Mandel, Mel B and Sofía Vergara as they searched across the country for the next standout performer.
But as the competition moves toward the live shows, Cowell’s absence has forced the production to make a temporary change at the judges’ table.
The show has now revealed who will fill his seat.
Kenan Thompson Joins the ‘AGT’ Judges’ Table
Rather than leaving Cowell’s chair empty, America’s Got Talent has brought in comedy star Kenan Thompson as a guest judge.
The show announced the news on social media, writing: “A comedy legend is taking over the Judges’ table! Kenan Thompson is joining AGT as a guest Judge!”
Thompson is expected to serve as a temporary replacement while Cowell takes time to recover.
At this point, it remains unclear exactly how long Thompson will remain with the competition or when Cowell will return to the judges’ desk.
Importantly, Cowell has not announced that he is permanently leaving America’s Got Talent. His absence is related to his recovery following surgery.
View this post on Instagram
A Very Different Personality From Simon Cowell
Thompson’s arrival also gives the judges’ panel a noticeably different dynamic.
Cowell has become famous throughout his career for delivering direct, sometimes brutally honest assessments of contestants. His early years on television were particularly memorable for criticism that could leave performers visibly upset.
Over time, however, Cowell has softened his approach and increasingly balanced criticism with encouragement.
Thompson, meanwhile, comes from a very different entertainment background.
Best known for his comedy career and his long-running role on Saturday Night Live, he brings a lighter and more playful presence to the judging table.
That contrast could make his temporary appearance one of the more interesting changes to the panel as Season 21 enters its next stage.
Cowell’s Surgery Was Not an Emergency
While fans may have been concerned by Cowell’s absence, AGT host Terry Crews clarified that the operation was not an emergency.
Crews explained that Cowell was undergoing an operation that could not be postponed, while emphasizing that it was not an emergency situation.
“He’s having an operation that cannot be postponed. It’s not an emergency, but it can’t be put off,” Crews said.
He then sent Cowell his best wishes and expressed hope that the longtime judge would be back at the judges’ table soon.
That reassurance suggests that the current change is intended to be temporary rather than the beginning of Cowell’s departure from the series.
Cowell’s Long History of E-Bike Accidents
Cowell’s decision to step away for surgery comes after a history of serious accidents involving electric bikes.
In 2020, Cowell suffered a broken back after crashing while riding an electric bike.
The accident occurred while he was testing the bike at his home, and the resulting injuries required surgery and a lengthy recovery.
Then, in 2022, Cowell was involved in another e-bike accident. This time, he suffered a broken arm and other injuries.
The incidents have become an unfortunate part of Cowell’s recent history, with the producer acknowledging that he needed to be more careful after his repeated accidents.
A Temporary Change for ‘AGT’
Cowell has played a major role in the Got Talent franchise and was one of the key figures behind the creation and success of America’s Got Talent.
His absence therefore represents a significant change for the show, particularly as the Season 21 competition approaches its live stages.
Still, viewers will not have to wait long to see how the judges’ panel functions without him.
With Kenan Thompson now stepping into the role, AGT will have a guest judge whose comedic background could bring an entirely different atmosphere to the competition.
For now, the message from the show appears straightforward: Simon Cowell is taking time to recover, Kenan Thompson is filling in, and Cowell is expected to return once he is ready.
Until then, America’s Got Talent must continue its search for the next big star with a familiar chair occupied by a very different kind of entertainer.