After 21 seasons, “America’s Got Talent” is introducing one of its most significant format changes yet. Instead of relying solely on behind-the-scenes deliberations, the NBC competition has added a first-ever Judges’ Callback round, allowing selected contestants to perform again before the judges finalize the lineup for the live shows.
The change offers viewers something they have never seen before: the actual decision-making process that narrows the competition from more than 120 successful audition acts to just 40 live-show contestants. According to Simon Cowell, the new round also gives judges more time to understand contestants beyond their initial auditions, making the process both more personal and more transparent.
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Simon Cowell explains why ‘AGT’ changed the format after 21 seasons
For Season 21, each of the four judges—Simon Cowell, Mel B, Howie Mandel and Sofía Vergara—hosted their selected contestants at locations of their own choosing instead of bringing them back to the traditional audition stage.
The callback performances are designed to create a more relaxed atmosphere where contestants can showcase themselves before the judges make their final decisions on who advances to the live shows beginning August 18.
Speaking from his Malibu home, where he hosted his callback round alongside guest judges Normani and Poo Bear, Cowell described the new format as a long-overdue improvement.
“I want this to work,” Simon Cowell said.
He explained that fans have frequently wondered how the judging panel reduces such a large number of successful audition acts.
“A lot of people over the years ask, ‘If you give 120 people a yes, how do you make that decision to go from 120 to 40?’ Normally we just watch the tapes back over and over and over and over again. No one sees it. Now I’m actually doing it [in front of the camera], and it’s real. I love it.” — Simon Cowell
Cowell also believes the extended time with contestants makes a noticeable difference.
“I know so much more about these people now than I did a few weeks ago, when I first met them. The first audition, you’re on, you’re off, and it’s so quick. This is really good. I spent a whole day with them yesterday, just really getting to know them, and it was everything. This is a much more relaxed environment for them to do whatever they want to do.” — Simon Cowell
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Celebrity guest judges bring fresh perspectives
To help evaluate contestants during the new callback stage, each judge invited celebrity guests to offer their opinions.
Cowell selected former Fifth Harmony member Normani and producer-songwriter Poo Bear, both of whom he has worked with previously.
Cowell praised their experience and judgment.
“When I heard that Poo and Normani were going to help me, I knew I was in good hands. Different skill sets and different experiences, but … having worked with both, they have amazing taste. I always know I can rely on both of these [people]. That’s friendship. I never take this for granted.” — Simon Cowell
Poo Bear also shared his excitement about joining the judging process.
“I’m honored to be here. Simon has always been my hero, just for his brutal honesty. I’ve always been a huge fan. And I love [having] the opportunity to be able to chime in and see if there’s anything that’s special brewing, any future superstars.” — Poo Bear
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Normani returns to the man who launched her career
One of the most emotional moments of the callback round comes from Normani, whose career began on “The X Factor USA” in 2012.
Although she was initially eliminated, Cowell later brought her back alongside Ally Brooke, Lauren Jauregui, Dinah Jane and Camila Cabello, forming Fifth Harmony, which became one of the biggest girl groups of its era.
Reflecting on that journey, Normani described appearing beside Cowell again as a full-circle experience.
“This is like déjà vu, sitting here next to Simon.” — Normani
She also credited Cowell for changing her life.
“You created that show, you gave me the opportunity and were willing to bet on me. And I’m just grateful for that opportunity. And also just to be here, to pour into the future. Because I know what it’s like to be on this side. It’s not easy.” — Normani
Cowell still remembers the moment Fifth Harmony came together.
“Sometimes, something is staring at you right in the face. It was like, wow. They look like they’ve been a band for years, weirdly. It was just, I can’t explain, the strangest sensation. And then we said to the band, ‘Do whatever you want, and take your time.’ And sure enough, when they came back with the songs on their second album, it was like, ‘God, this is unbelievable.’ I never forget that moment.” — Simon Cowell
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Normani shares advice for the next generation
Having experienced the pressure of televised talent competitions herself, Normani hopes to encourage the contestants following in her footsteps.
“I’m going to remind them that they’re fully equipped. I mean, if they got past this guy, right here, that says a whole lot, OK? Because I feel like we have similar standards. I’m hard on myself. I feel like you’ve also been hard on me too, in the best way possible. But that shapes us. That shaped [Fifth Harmony] to become what we were able to be. You saw it in us before anybody knew us.” — Normani
She also offered one final reminder.
“And just be present and enjoy the experience for what it is. These are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. So you just take it and you enjoy it, and you be present in it.” — Normani
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Judges’ Callback contestants and schedule
| Judge | Contestants |
| Simon Cowell | Akira (variety act), Elektro Dads (dancers), Elsie (singer), Nyjah & Zyah (vocal duo), Sando (dancer), Travis Garland (singer) |
| Mel B | Bety (singer), Butter & Grit (vocal duo), James & Marina (mentalist duo), Joel M (magician), Lachlan Patterson (comedian), Madelyn & Malachi (vocal duo) |
| Sofía Vergara | Brook Lynn (singer), Darrell Moten (magician), Kameron Marshall (magician), Olivia Befus (dog trainer), Vahtang (beatboxer) |
| Howie Mandel | Bird and Byron (music duo), Cris Sosa (comedian), Daniel Alvarez (comedian), Naimana & Daniele (ventriloquist duo), Nene Royal (musician), Rynia Kando (impressionist) |
Judges’ Callback schedule
| Date | Event |
| August 4 | Simon Cowell and Mel B’s Judges’ Callback episodes |
| August 11 | Howie Mandel and Sofía Vergara’s Judges’ Callback episodes |
| August 18 | Live shows begin |
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What’s next for ‘America’s Got Talent’?
The Judges’ Callback episodes air as part of “America’s Got Talent” Season 21, with new episodes airing Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and streaming the following day on Peacock.
As contestants prepare for one final opportunity to impress, the new format promises audiences unprecedented access to the decisions that shape the competition—potentially making Season 21 one of the show’s most revealing and competitive seasons yet.
Disclaimer
This article is based on thoroughly researched information and verified reporting from USA TODAY, including its exclusive on-set interview with Simon Cowell, Normani, and Poo Bear, along with the officially released contestant lists and broadcast schedule for “America’s Got Talent” Season 21. All quotes are reproduced as attributed to their respective speakers.
Sources:
Image Credit: NBC
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