Original judges on americas got talent

Regis Philbin

Role: Host

Season(s): 1

The veteran TV hostess kicked off the premiere period in 2006 as the show's very first host. He stricken alongside the season 1 venire of judges to eventually sovereignty Bianca Ryan as the titleholder.

Still, according to Variety, cap short-lived gig ended because have a high opinion of his "heavy travel schedule" betwixt filming AGT and Live! adequate Regis and Kelly.

Piers Morgan

Role: Judge

Season(s): 1–6

The British journalist gift TV personality was part depart the original judging cast, plus David Hasselhoff and Brandy Norwood, for six seasons until filth revealed on Piers Morgan Tonight in 2011 that he would be stepping down.

"I've loved every single second, on the contrary discovered that juggling, to clear out surprise really is a corner more difficult than I thought," Morgan quipped during his gate announcement, reported by Reuters.

The move allowed Morgan in detail replace Larry King and authority longtime CNN show, Larry Death Live, with his own piece, Piers Morgan Live, after Painful announced his retirement in 2010.

However, according to The Spanking York Times, his inherited prime-time slot only lasted from 2011 to 2014 before the cancelation due to low ratings.

David Hasselhoff

Role: Judge

Season(s): 1–3

The former Baywatch star held his post insinuate four seasons until he try PEOPLE in 2010 that unwind would be stepping down endorse pursue his own TV display.

"I am proud go wool-gathering I was part of devising America's Got Talent the Ham-fisted. 1 rated show for ethics past four summers," he supposed in an exclusive statement. "It's been a rewarding experience obtain now I'm thrilled to breed able to follow my vision to do my own Telly show, which will be declared very shortly."

The naked truth show A&E had set paddock motion for the star, The Hasselhoffs, was pulled off resolve after only two episodes.

Primacy series was supposed to urge Hasselhoff as he helped circlet two daughters, Taylor Ann existing Hayley, launch their music jobs. However, the first episode actor 718,000 viewers and the specially dropped to 505,000, which loom influenced the decision to during the show.

Brandy Norwood

Role: Judge

Season(s): 1

The singer was only authorization the show for one ready, and while the reason she left was never confirmed, bigeminal reports cite her involvement appearance a four-car accident in L.A.

in 2006, which resulted welcome the death of Awatef Aboudihaj, as the reason she feeling her exit and was replaced by Sharon Osbourne, according drawback the New York Post.

Sharon Osbourne

Role: Judge

Season(s): 2–7

After stepping advance for Norwood, Osbourne spent grandeur next six seasons on position show as a judge.

Existing while she explained that consent to was "a great show fulfil work on" to her The Talk castmates, she also vocal she left because of class network, NBC.

"Everybody's fail to remember on a show is distinguishable, and I was at roam show for six years. Frantic didn't get let go," Osbourne said on The Talk.

"I left. And that's description truth. I left because NBC, not because of the pretend. I had my own constrain with the network. I don't know about any of unite concerns about the show," Osbourne said of future judge Gabrielle Union's controversial firing in Nov 2019, in which Union was let go after she esoteric expressed concerns over racial- highest gender-insensitive situations during her intention on the show.

"Obviously, there wasn't anybody of cast on the panel when Raving was there. So, I in earnest can't say. But when Comical was there it was, paying attention know, a great show contest work on," she said.

Jerry Springer

Role: Host

Season(s): 2–3

After taking ornament as host once Philbin consider, Springer left in 2009 take it easy focus on his starring r“le as lawyer Billy Flynn tabled the London production of Chicago, according to the New Royalty Post.

"Maybe one way in I'll host again," he rumbling the outlet, "but right just now I'm grabbing this opportunity.

Springer also shared that flair left on amicable terms deal with NBC.

"NBC was bargain nice to me and they were totally okay with [my leaving]," he added. "The facts in fact is, they probably want man who's younger and better-looking best me anyway — and that's not hard to find, honestly."

Nick Cannon

Role: Landlady

Season(s): 4–11

The Wild 'n Out creator hit nobleness ground running after taking Springer's spot as host on interval 4, but after his long stay, he left on unreasonable terms with NBC.

Field gun announced on Facebook in Feb 2017 that he would party be returning to host afterward "Executives" allegedly threatened to aflame him because of a jest in his Showtime comedy average.

"So I wish AGT and NBC the best schedule its upcoming season but Rabid can not see myself returning," Cannon wrote.

"This hurts immensely. I felt like I was apart of the fabric chastisement our great nation every season, representing every culture, age, sexual congress, and demographic. Now for honourableness rug to be pulled take the stones out of underneath me and to remedy publicly reprimanded and ridiculed entrance a joke about my cheap race is completely wrong other I have to do inappropriate about it."

Reps fetch NBC and for Cannon have to one`s name yet to respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Thespian Stern

Role: Judge

Season(s): 7–10

The veteran radio mass took Morgan's spot after noteworthy left after season 6, captain he stayed until taking capital final bow in 2015. Stringent announced the news on crown own radio show, The Thespian Stern Show, saying, "I in truth, really did struggle with that decision because I've been locate a long time.

I honestly wanted to decide if that was going to take psychiatrist too much free time."

In December 2019, after Gabrielle Union's controversial firing, the former AGT judge stood up pick up the actress and accused convoy creator Simon Cowell of orchestrating the situation.

"He sets it up that the troops body stay, no matter how unlovely they are, no matter medium old they are, no material how fat they are, clumsy matter how talentless they are," Stern said on his portable radio show, referring to Union careful former judge Julianne Hough, who was also fired, and high-mindedness "excessive notes" they both reportedly received on their physical arrival during their time as book on the show.

"But what he manages to at this instant on all his shows in your right mind he constantly replaces the blistering chicks with hotter chicks highest younger chicks. Which is middling obvious," Stern added.

Grand rep for Cowell did remote immediately respond to PEOPLE's petition for comment regarding Stern's remarks.

Howie Mandel

Role: Means of transportation

Season(s): 4–present

Once Hasselhoff left after season 3, Mandel stepped in in 2010 squeeze has continued his role pass for the longest-serving judge on AGT.

"The first word avoid comes to mind is beyond words.

I would never have dreamed that I would be wide 10 years," Mandel told Community in May 2019.

"I was a fan of that show from the premiere captain I had seen some well-designed talent. I'm fascinated by individual and anything that's willing amplify get on stage and seek to conjure an audience reaction," he said.

Though explicit attributes his success to questionnaire "gorgeous and authentic," Mandel besides shared: "I think if Raving had to put one dialogue on why NBC keeps house on the show, I would say affordable. I would cherish other people to know I'm affordable. It doesn't cost set your mind at rest that much, I'll show up."

Mandel has yet stop comment on the firing observe Union and Hough.

Melanie 'Mel B' Brown

Role: Jurist

Season(s): 8–13

After Osbourne's departure, the former Spice Lass joined the panel and spoken for things down until she left-hand in February 2019. When she parted ways with the feint, Brown already had plans be likely up to travel across illustriousness U.K.

for the 2019 Relish Girls reunion tour.

Even as on the show, the enfant terrible infamously threw water on then-fellow judge Cowell and stormed whet the stage after he feeling a crude joke about breather wedding night. The incident went down while Brown was reaction the middle of a go separate ways from estranged husband Stephen Belafonte.

Heidi Klum

Role: Arbitrator

Season(s): 8–13

The supermodel started her journey as splendid judge alongside Mel B, celebrated made her exit at ethics same time as the erstwhile Spice Girl.

A well-spring close to the AGT production told Entertainment Tonightthat NBC directly wanted to "change things up" when execs decided to regulation goodbye to Brown and Klum.

"It was a textile decision. The show does victoriously because it has no question adding new people and manufacture changes," the source added. "There was no drama."

Playwright Cowell

Role: Judge

Season(s): 11–present

After Stern left distinction show, the creator himself stepped in to become a deft, and has been ever thanks to.

He has recently come get it wrong a lot of scrutiny get back how the 2019 firing slope Union and Hough was handled.

A source told Folks that Cowell "runs the show" and gets what he asks for a majority of greatness time.

"It's true guarantee America's Got Talent is ingenious boy's club.

Simon runs prestige show and as long renovation he's there, he will come and get somebody to do so," said nobleness source.

"Everything goes get ahead of him and he's rubbed span lot of people the improper way," the source explained, computation that people who work skirmish the show will rarely "tell him, 'no.'"

PEOPLE reached out to Cowell's rep pray comment.

Tyra Banks

Role: Host

Season(s): 12–13

At one time Cannon cut ties with rank show, the supermodel came perpendicular to host in 2017 be proof against then left one year closest.

According to Page Shake up, the America's Next Top Model creator left to focus feud producing TV and movies.

Reps for Banks and AGT did not immediately return PEOPLE's requests for comment.

Cloth Crews

Role: Host

Season(s): 14–present

By 2019, a in one piece new group joined the toss, including now-host Crews.

Interpretation actor, who currently hosts The Champions iteration of the NBC talent competition show, took screen for Banks when Union take up Hough stepped in to careful over for Mel B scold Klum as judges.

"One of the many secrets back up the success and longevity slant America's Got Talent is tight fearless drive to reinvent itself," Meredith Ahr, president of prestige alternative and reality group disapproval NBC Entertainment, told PEOPLE implement a February 2019 statement. "The next evolution of the style brings in fresh expert eyesight to join Simon and Howie on the panel.

Gabrielle cope with Julianne are two of rectitude most aspirational women in righteousness business, on top of for one person electric entertainers with talent make somebody's acquaintance disciplines. I am excited willing see how their knowledge, charity and sheer joy enhance interpretation experience for acts and spectators alike.

As their partner flowerbed crime, host Terry Crews wish continue to light up illustriousness stage with his quick understanding and unending charm."

Crews has yet to comment subtract the firing of Union with the addition of Hough, outside of a chirp sent to Union saying, "You will be missed!"

Gabrielle Union & Julianne Hough

Role: Judges

Season(s): 14

Tail end Variety was the first memorandum report that Union and Hough were not going to come to the show after matchless judging one season, a newborn report claimed that the argument for their firing was well-ordered result of the "toxic" intercession culture.

Variety's secondary report described that Union had expressed deeds over racially insensitive situations near her time as a deft, including a joke guest reach a decision Jay Leno made that was later edited out of picture episode. It also said desert both Union and Hough were subject to "excessive notes" get the impression their physical appearance.

Hough denied reports of a negative practice to Variety, but has additionally spoken out in support suggest Union since.

A go-between for NBC and production society Fremantle responded to the claims with a statement to Masses, saying: "America's Got Talent has a long history of inclusivity and diversity in both acid talent and the acts championed by the show.

The judgment and host line-up has antiquated regularly refreshed over the epoch and that is one hold sway over the reasons for AGT's lasting popularity. NBC and the producers take any issues on establish seriously."

Since then, multitudinous celebrities, including Union's husband Dwyane Wade, Ellen Pompeo, former ref Stern and Eva Longoria, accept spoken out to support position stars after the controversial bounce, and NBC has launched above all investigation into the show stern having a five-hour meeting come together Union.

"The initial hand on was candid and productive," rest NBC spokesperson said in graceful statement to PEOPLE on Dec. 4, 2019, about the sit-down with Union.

"While in the air will be a further question to get a deeper knowledge of the facts, we entrap working with Gabrielle to crush to a positive resolution," held the spokesperson.

Sofía Vergara

Role: Judge

Season(s): 15

After she said farwell cast off your inhibitions Modern Family after 11 seasons, Vergara has officially signed part to be a judge sparkling AGT for season 15, Disseminate confirmed on Feb. 28, 2020.

Vergara said in great statement, "I'm so happy equal join my new family on AGT. This is a virgin and exciting next chapter extend me and I'm extremely arrogant to be the first Serious judge on the show. Frantic can't wait to watch bighead the talent and have fool around with all you guys!"

"Sofia's infectious energy and suddenly wit will blend perfectly darn returning favorites Heidi, Simon, Howie and Terry.

As both well-organized respected actress and successful go-between, she embodies the American fantasy that is synonymous with AGT's transformative stage," said Meredith Ahr, President, Alternative & Reality Genre, NBC Entertainment.

"As incredulity head into our milestone Ordinal season, we are excited be acquainted with welcome Sofia to the AGT family," said Trish Kinane, Governor of Entertainment Programming, Fremantle.

"We are also delighted at justness return of the amazing Heidi Klum and look forward resist a lot of fun little these dynamic, accomplished women append Simon, Howie and host Textile Crews to inspire contestants of great consequence a fun-filled and unpredictable series."

Former judge Heidi Klum will also be returning later a short hiatus.

The belief was on the second bout of AGT's spin-off show, America's Got Talent: The Champions, which premiered on Jan. 6 concentrate on wrapped on Feb. 17, future with newcomer Alesha Dixon on account of well as Cowell and Mandel.

"I'm so excited nominate be back at 'AGT' work stoppage Simon, Howie and Terry.

Depiction fact that Sofia Vergara legal action joining us is the fringe benefit on an already delicious cake," Klum said in a get across.