America's Got Talent is back! Season 21 of the reality competition show premieres on Tuesday, June 2. Hosted by comedian Terry Crews, the talent will be judged by Howie Mandel, Mel B, Simon Cowell, and Sofia Vergara.
"At 21 years, you have people who grew up watching the show," Terry told NBC Insider about the legacy of AGT. "Grew up literally from the beginning all the way to the end. The show is older than a lot of our contestants."
Two decades on TV, America's Got Talent has been home to a rotating desk of judges. Why did stars like Heidi Klum, Sharon Osbourne, Howard Stern, and more leave the show? Keep reading to find out.
© Trae Patton/NBCHeidi Klum
The supermodel started judging on AGT in season eight, which premiered in June 2013. Heidi Klum first left the reality competition in 2019, but rejoined for season 15. The mom-of-four left AGT for good after season 19 to return to Project Runway.
Heidi originally hosted the fashion reality show from 2004 to 2017, and even won an Emmy Award for her role. The show made a comeback with Heidi at the helm and with designer Christian Siriano, fashion journalist Nina Garcia, and stylist Law Roach joining her.
The 22nd season of Project Runway premieres Thursday, July 9.
© Getty ImagesSharon Osbourne
The British businesswoman and wife of the late Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne, joined AGT for season two, replacing the singer Brandy. She judged the show for six seasons and abruptly quit after season seven.
In 2012, Sharon left AGT and alleged the network discriminated against her son, Jack Osbourne, who was allegedly fired from an NBC reality show, Stars Earn Stripes, after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. "I just can't be fake," Sharon told The New York Post. "It's discrimination, and it was badly handled. It's time to move on."
Bob Greenbatt, the chairman of NBC Entertainment at the time, responded to Sharon's allegations in a statement, saying: "We have the deepest affection for Sharon and consider her to be part of the NBC family. And our hearts go out to her, Ozzy, Jack and his family at this time."
© Getty ImagesHoward Stern
The longtime radio host, Howard Stern, joined AGT in 2012, replacing Piers Morgan. But, after just four years on the reality show, he left. Some fans cited tensions between Howard and Simon Cowell, but the shock-jock explained his decision on his radio show.
"I'm going through my own career evaluation right now…In all seriousness, I've told you, I'm just too [expletive] busy…something's got to give," Howard said. "NBC's already asked me what my intentions are for next year, whether or not I'd come back, I kind of have told them I think this is my last season. Not I think, this is my last season."
He went on: "I've been on there for four years. It's been fun. This year is the 10th anniversary, I think that's enough. And Simon wants it anyway…I know what's going on behind the scenes."
© NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal viaJulianne Hough and Gabrielle Union
Dancing with the Stars host Julianne Hough and actress Gabrielle Union joined AGT for season 14. And, both departed after just one season as judges on the show. Their shocking exits came at the same time reports were circulating of a toxic workplace culture at the talent competition show.
"I just believe and value at the highest regard that everybody has a voice and should be heard, first and foremost," Julianne told her brother, Derek Hough, during a conversation on People Now.
She continued: "And then I believe that the paradigm of the workplace and how you do business and work with people now, it's shifting, and I think that the people that really want to see change happen are going to authentically and positively … do that. And so that's all I really have to say about that."
Gabrielle opened up about her exit from AGT in a 2020 interview with Variety, saying: "I signed up for the experience of being a part of a show that hails itself as the biggest stage in the world." She thought to herself: "What could go wrong?"
During her tenure, Gabrielle cited racially charged incidents, a bad environment fostered by executive producer Simon Cowell, and more. "You cannot edit out what we just experienced," the actress said.
© Getty ImagesOriginal judges: Piers Morgan, David Hasselhoff, and Brandy
AGT premiered on June 21, 2006 with judges Piers Morgan, David Hasselhoff, and Brandy, none of whom are still on the show.
Brandy, who is a contemporary R&B singer, left AGT after one season while in the middle of multiple wrongful death lawsuits after she struck a driver in Los Angeles, who later died from their injuries.
David was a judge for four seasons, exiting AGT in 2009. The Baywatch actor departed the reality competition show to pursue his own reality TV series, The Hasselhoffs, which only ran for one season.
Piers was the longest running original judge, staying until season six. The controversial English broadcaster announced his decision on X, formerly Twitter, writing: "I'm leaving America’s Got Talent after 6 wonderful years. Turned out that juggling's harder than it looks, so I'm going to focus on CNN."
