Photo Credit: Getty Images
Simon Cowell will be missing from the America's Got Talent judges' table for several weeks as he undergoes a routine back surgery.
The 66-year-old music executive and longtime talent show judge is taking time off to focus on his health, with his publicist confirming the procedure is scheduled and expected to require only a short recovery.
Season 21 of AGT will continue with Sofía Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Mel B holding down the panel. Guest judges are also expected to step in during the live shows, though names have not yet been announced.
Cowell's latest surgery traces back to a serious e-bike accident in 2020, when he broke his back in multiple places after falling at his Malibu home. The crash required a six-hour operation and the placement of a metal rod.
He later joked online about the incident, advising fans to "read the manual" before riding an electric trail bike. In 2022, he suffered another e-bike mishap that left him with a broken arm, but he has continued to embrace cycling despite the setbacks.
Known for discovering acts like One Direction, Fifth Harmony, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood across The X Factor and American Idol, Cowell joined AGT as a judge in 2016. He has since become a fixture on the NBC competition, helping shape its lineup of performers and serving as an executive producer.
Ahead of Season 21, which premiered June 2, Cowell admitted he once had nerves about being on camera but now sees the show as an outlet for audiences. "We are definitely seeing better people coming to audition. The acts have gotten better. That's the most important thing and really what the show relies on each year," he told USA TODAY earlier this year.
While Cowell recovers, he'll also have time to continue planning his wedding to fiancée Lauren Silverman. The couple, who share 12-year-old son Eric, became engaged over Christmas nearly five years ago. Cowell has said he intends to handle the planning himself to avoid "ghastly wedding planners" and keep the guest list under control.
America's Got Talent airs Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC, with semifinals scheduled for September 15 and 16 and the finale set for September 23.
