dpSimon Cowell has been notably absent from the judges panel as he recovers from a back procedure. Here’s who will replace him.
WASHINGTON — Simon Cowell will not be part of the judges’ table for the two-part “America’s Got Talent” live finale this week.
The longtime judge, 66, will miss the finale, which aired the first part on Tuesday and will conclude on Wednesday, Sept. 23, as he continues to recover from back surgery.
It’s been nearly a month since Cowell stepped back from the talent competition series to heal from the “routine” procedure. A group of guest judges has filled his place in recent weeks, including Heidi Klum and Kenan Thompson.
The Season 21 finale airs Wednesday on NBC at 9 p.m. ET.
Who will replace Simon Cowell on ‘America’s Got Talent’ finale?
British social media star and former professional boxer KSI was tapped to fill Cowell’s spot on the judges’ table, alongside Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Mel B.
“Social media star KSI is taking a seat at the Judges’ table! Don’t miss him as the Guest Judge tonight and Wednesday,” the official “America’s Got Talent” social media announced Tuesday.
KSI has been a judge on “Britain’s Got Talent” since 2025.
What happened to Simon Cowell?
Cowell’s team said his procedure was routine and was related to back problems stemming from a 2020 bike accident.
It’s not the first time Cowell has undergone back surgery after breaking his back while riding an e-bike in Malibu, California, in 2020.
“It was painful, it wasn’t great,” Cowell told TODAY in a 2023 interview.
He said that despite the accident resulting in a six-hour surgery on his back, he still will stay on his bike.
“It could have been a lot worse. When I saw the X-ray, I really nearly smashed my spine to pieces, so I literally wouldn’t have been able to walk,” he said to “Extra” in a February 2021 interview.
