“America’s Got Talent” is going to go through a major change in its judging lineup, although the news has not been confirmed.
“The word on the street is they are replacing all ‘AGT’ judges except Simon [Cowell],” a source told Page Six.
Tyra Banks hasn’t been seen on the current season of the show’s new format. Instead, Terry Crews has taken her place on “America’s Got Talent: The Champions.” According to the source, that was only the first in a series of personnel changes.
Africa and the World, are you ready to jam with the Worlds Youngest DJ and youngest act on @AGT The Champions this coming Monday the 21st January 8pm Eastern time on @nbc ????????????????????????, it’s a date everyone #AGT pic.twitter.com/f9D9wH75fM
— Arch Jnr (@djarchjnr) January 19, 2019
“It started with [talk about replacing] Mel B and now it’s everyone. Tyra [Banks] is gone,” said the source.
Page Six reported on Dec. 25 that Banks would leave the show, a rumor confirmed by Banks’s absence on the new season. But the source said it is because Banks is too popular and has other work.
“Tyra’s been inundated with producing and acting requests… she wants to produce and create TV. She will not be returning to ‘AGT’ in the new year.”
THANK YOU for making me the #1 most engaging account associated with a primetime TV program AND the #1 most engaging account for a reality tv program!
YOU did it!!! pic.twitter.com/x9PKBHeut7
— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) December 23, 2018
Banks had success with her 2018 TV movie “Life Size-2: A Christmas Eve,” furthering her career opportunities.
There are no leads on who would be the new judge, and an “AGT” rep would not confirm the rumors when questioned by Page Six.
“There hasn’t been much buzz about who’s replacing them . . . Simon’s ready for new judges,” said a source, via Page Six.
But if the news is accurate, the changes won’t necessarily happen immediately, as the new season started on Jan. 7 and is almost on its third episode.
Another source has a different take on rumors of the shake-up.
“It’s inaccurate. The brand is extending, and is doing phenomenally well,” the source told Page Six, indicating the rumors could mean that the judging cast could be extended in order to extend the “AGT” show lineup.
I HIT MY #GOLDENBUZZER FOR @SusanBoyle! YIPPEEEEE! #AGTCHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/juVXyaOtfB
— Melanie Brown (@OfficialMelB) January 8, 2019
Many of the contestants on “America’s Got Talent: The Champions,” come from many of the original brand’s international spinoff programs.
So far this season, four contestants have advanced. “Britain’s Got Talent” legend Susan Boyle returned and advanced with a golden buzzer after judges heard her rendition of “Wild Horses,” and comedian Preacher Lawson impressed the judges and the fans with his humor enough to advance.
The second episode was full of talent and danger. Deadly Games moved on with a golden buzzer, despite the act terrifying judges, and singer Cristina Ramos from Spain impressed viewers enough to be voted through, with a performance that covered multiple singing genres.
The next set of contestants for Monday’s episode of “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” has already been revealed in preview videos on “AGT”’s social media channels. The show is continuing to bring back some of the most memorable acts from past seasons of “AGT” and its many spinoffs.
Many of the acts, despite not winning during their original appearances on the show, have since found fame and success, leaving the competitive level of the new series format extremely high. Previous years’ contestants that came up short are putting their best work forward, and competing alongside winners and others from “AGT”’s offshoot shows.
