Simon Cowell will be absent from America's Got Talent for several weeks due to a scheduled back surgery. His publicist confirmed that the procedure is routine and Cowell is expected to return after recovery. During his absence, fellow judges Sofía Vergara, Mel B, and Howie Mandel will continue to evaluate contestants on the show.
Cowell's surgery is related to a serious injury he sustained in 2020 when he fell from an e-bike. While details about the surgery are limited, this time off may also allow him to focus on planning his upcoming wedding.