Whether on “American Idol,” “The X Factor” or “America’s Got Talent,” Simon Cowell has long had a reputation of being the harsh critic on reality TV competition shows.
But now, Cowell won’t be sharing his criticisms and praises on “AGT” as he temporarily steps away from his position as a judge.
Why is Simon Cowell missing on ‘AGT’?
Cowell will miss a few weeks of “AGT” filming as he undergoes back surgery, Entertainment Weekly has reported.
“Obviously medical matters are private but it’s routine and he will be back in a few weeks,” a representative for Cowell told Entertainment Weekly.
The surgery comes as “AGT” is in the middle of the live quarterfinal shows. Guest judges are expected to fill Cowell’s place, though the show has not yet shared a lineup of celebrity guests, per USA Today.
Cowell, who has been an “AGT” judge for a decade, fell off an electric bike and broke his back in 2020. The accident led him to missing some live “AGT” shows that season, as the Deseret News reported at the time.
Following the accident, he underwent a roughly five-hour surgery and had several fusions and a metal rod put into his back, per Deseret News.
“Some good advice... If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time,” Cowell shared on X at the time.
Simon Cowell on the ‘purpose’ of ‘AGT’
During the Season 21 premiere over the summer, Cowell hit his golden buzzer for 14-year-old powerhouse singer Lai Noelle.
“I thought every part of that audition was about as good as you’re gonna get,” he said to reporters during a virtual press conference. “And bearing in mind how young she is. I mean, that voice ... it reminded me when I very, very first did ‘Idol’ (’American Idol’) years ago, we used to get those singers with those big voices. She reminded me of those days — very, very rare to find someone like that today.
“There was a moment where I thought, ‘Is that actually you singing?’” he continued. “I mean, she really, really is up there. One of the best.”
Cowell shared that even after all these years, being part of “AGT” doesn’t get old because of auditions like Noelle’s.
“I genuinely believe that these shows, they have to have a purpose,” he said during the virtual press conference. “It puts you on the ladder, so to speak. So if you do a great audition or a great live show performance, ... I’ve seen it happen so many times now, a massive, massive knockout effect in terms of their careers, their lives, their confidence. That’s one of the best parts of doing the job.
“If that didn’t happen, I promise you I wouldn’t do shows,” he added. “That moment where you can sit there and go, ‘Wow, I was there on their first audition, and I’ve got a feeling great things are going to happen,’ I really still get a buzz out of that.”