On Wednesday, April 1, America’s Got Talent announced that online auditions have been reopened for anyone wishing to show off their talent while stuck at home amid ongoing public health and safety concerns. Anyone who has already sent in audition tapes and not yet performed in front of the judges will still be eligible to be considered for the upcoming season.
Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel are confirmed to return, while Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara will replace Julianne Hough and Gabrielle Union as judges for season 15, and Terry Crews will return as emcee.
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The NBC competition series was taping auditions with the judges in Los Angeles last month when production was halted indefinitely due to public health and safety concerns.
On March 10, one of the final days of taping, Klum left the show’s set in Pasadena, California, after falling ill.
“She was not feeling well,” a source told PEOPLE.
At the time of taping, Mandel arrived on set wearing a hazmat suit, gas mask and large orange gloves. When asked about the recent public health and safety concerns, he (a self-professed germaphobe) told PEOPLE in a statement, “I don’t shake hands, not even fist-bumping. I’ve taken it to another level.”
On February 27, it was confirmed that Vergara was joining America’s Got Talent as the fourth judge for season 15.
“I’m so happy to join my new family on AGT. 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!” the Modern Family star said in a statement.
Vergara and Klum filled in the two vacant seats on the judges’ panel after Union and Hough were not asked to return following their one-season stint.
Brittany R
Brittany is a writer who is obsessed with rom-com movies, Gossip Girl, reality television, fashion, and pop-culture. When she isn't reporting on the latest celeb buzz, she is filling up her online shopping cart without checking out.
