Wednesday, August 25, 2026 - Simon Cowell is stepping away from America’s Got Talent for several weeks as he undergoes a routine back procedure.
The 66-year-old judge’s representative confirmed that the surgery is not considered an emergency and said Cowell is expected to return in a few weeks. The news comes as Season 21 enters its live quarterfinals, meaning viewers will temporarily see the judging panel without one of its most recognizable faces.
Cowell’s latest procedure is connected to ongoing back problems stemming from his serious electric-bike accident in 2020, when he suffered a major spinal injury and required extensive surgery.
He later experienced another cycling-related injury, but continued working and returned to AGT. His representative has emphasized that the current operation is routine, easing concerns that the absence signals a new major health crisis.
The timing is significant because America’s Got Talent is now in its live competition stage, where viewer voting plays a major role in deciding which performers advance. Cowell missed the August 25 performance episode, with host Terry Crews telling viewers that the judge was undergoing an operation that could not be postponed.
Guest judges are expected to rotate into Cowell’s seat while he recovers, with an exact return date still to be announced.
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