Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Simon Cowell Takes Temporary Break From America’s Got Talent
Simon Cowell is taking a short break from America’s Got Talent.
He is having routine surgery on his back.
The surgery is connected to injuries from an electric-bike accident in 2020.
That accident caused a broken back and required major surgery.
Cowell’s representative said he should return in a few weeks.
The show has invited Kenan Thompson to judge while Cowell is away.
Thompson will join Howie Mandel, Mel B and Sofia Vergara.
Cowell’s exact return date has not been announced.
Simon Cowell is temporarily absent from America’s Got Talent while undergoing routine back surgery.
The procedure is related to ongoing problems from his serious 2020 electric-bike accident.
Cowell’s representative said he is expected to return in a few weeks.
Kenan Thompson will guest-judge the third quarterfinal round on September 1.
Howie Mandel, Mel B and Sofia Vergara will join Thompson on the judging panel.
- Who
- Simon Cowell is taking the break, with Kenan Thompson serving as a guest judge.
- What
- Cowell is temporarily absent from America’s Got Talent while undergoing routine back surgery.
- When
- Thompson is scheduled to appear on September 1; Cowell is expected to return in a few weeks.
- Where
- The absence concerns the America’s Got Talent judging panel.
- Why
- The surgery is related to ongoing back issues stemming from Cowell’s 2020 electric-bike accident.
- Program
- America’s Got Talent
- Reason for absence
- Routine back surgery related to ongoing issues from a 2020 electric-bike accident
- Expected return
- In a few weeks, according to Cowell’s representative
- Guest judge
- Kenan Thompson
- Guest-judging date
- September 1
- Other judges
- Howie Mandel, Mel B and Sofia Vergara
- Return date
- An exact date has not been announced