Shows like America’s Got Talent feel like they’ve been around forever, mostly because they have. But if you sit down to watch a rerun from 2006, it’s a total trip. The faces are different. The vibe is way more chaotic. Honestly, the list of agt judges in the past is like a weird time capsule of mid-2000s and 2010s celebrity culture.
You’ve got the early days with David Hasselhoff. Then the Howard Stern "King of All Media" era that somehow worked despite everyone thinking it wouldn’t. And yeah, the behind-the-scenes drama that eventually spilled out into the tabloids. People always ask why the panel rotates so much. Is it just about "refreshing" the brand, or is it something deeper?
The Weird, Experimental Energy of Season 1
Looking back at 2006, the original lineup was a strange mix. You had Piers Morgan—who Simon Cowell basically hand-picked to be the "mean one"—sitting next to Brandy Norwood and David Hasselhoff. Brandy was only 27 at the time, making her the youngest judge the show has ever had. She was the "nice" one. Then you had "The Hoff," who was just... The Hoff.
It didn't last. By Season 2, Brandy was out. Officially, she had a lot on her plate, but she was also dealing with a massive legal headache following a tragic car accident in late 2006. She needed to step away. In came Sharon Osbourne, and that’s when the show really found its footing. Sharon, Piers, and Hasselhoff stayed together for a few years, building that classic "bickering family" dynamic that reality TV loves so much.
Why Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan Actually Left
Piers Morgan stuck around until 2011. He didn't get fired. He actually left because he landed a massive gig at CNN, taking over the prime-time slot left by Larry King. It was a huge move at the time, though his show Piers Morgan Live eventually got the axe.
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Sharon’s exit was way more dramatic. If you remember the headlines from 2012, she didn't leave because of money or because she was bored. She quit because of a massive beef with NBC. Her son, Jack Osbourne, was supposed to be on a different NBC show called Stars Earn Stripes, but Sharon claimed the network fired him via email right after he went public with his multiple sclerosis diagnosis. NBC denied it, saying he was never "officially" hired, but Sharon wasn't having it. She walked away from her seat at the AGT table in protest.
The Howard Stern Gamble
When Howard Stern was announced as the replacement for Piers Morgan in Season 7, people freaked out. Parents' groups were worried he’d bring his "shock jock" radio persona to a family show.
He didn't.
Actually, Howard Stern ended up being one of the most respected agt judges in the past. He was brutal, sure, but he was also incredibly technical. He’d grill a magician on their sleight of hand or tell a singer exactly why their pitch was off. He treated it like a job, not just a photo op. He stayed for four seasons, eventually leaving because his schedule with his SiriusXM radio show was just too grueling. He famously said he wanted to give his life back to himself.
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The Controversy That Shook the Show: Gabrielle Union
Fast forward to Season 14. This was the year NBC tried a massive overhaul. They brought in Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough to replace Mel B and Heidi Klum (who eventually came back). It seemed like a win.
Then, both women were let after just one season.
The fallout was messy. Reports started surfacing about a "toxic" work environment. Gabrielle Union reportedly raised concerns about several things, including an allegedly racist joke made by a guest judge and Simon Cowell’s habit of smoking on the indoor set. There were also claims that Union received "excessive" notes about her hairstyles being "too Black" for the audience. NBC and the producers did an internal investigation and claimed that while the environment wasn't perfect, race and gender weren't the reasons they didn't renew her contract. Still, the PR damage was done.
The Long-Timers: Howie and Heidi
It’s easy to forget that Howie Mandel hasn't been there since day one. He actually joined in Season 5, replacing David Hasselhoff. He’s now the longest-serving judge in the show's history. He’s the bridge between the "old" AGT and the current Simon Cowell era.
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Heidi Klum and Mel B also became staples, though they've both taken breaks. Mel B actually just returned for Season 20 in 2025 after a long hiatus, replacing Heidi. It's a revolving door, but it's a door that usually leads back to the same few people Simon trusts.
A Quick Look at the Judge Timeline
- Piers Morgan: Seasons 1–6 (The original "mean" judge)
- David Hasselhoff: Seasons 1–4 (The unpredictable energy)
- Brandy Norwood: Season 1 (The first female judge)
- Sharon Osbourne: Seasons 2–7 (The one who fought for the acts)
- Howie Mandel: Season 5–Present (The veteran)
- Howard Stern: Seasons 7–10 (The critic)
- Mel B: Seasons 8–13, Season 20 (The Spice Girl)
- Heidi Klum: Seasons 8–13, 15–19 (The fashion eye)
- Simon Cowell: Season 11–Present (The boss)
- Gabrielle Union / Julianne Hough: Season 14 (The one-season experiment)
- Sofía Vergara: Season 15–Present (The modern era)
What This Means for the Show's Future
The rotation of agt judges in the past proves that the show is bigger than any one person—except maybe Simon. The "Golden Buzzer" era we’re in now is a far cry from the stripped-back, slightly lower-budget feel of the Regis Philbin years.
If you're a fan trying to keep up, the best way to see the evolution is to hunt down those early Season 1 clips on YouTube. Seeing a young Brandy and a grumpy Piers Morgan try to figure out what "talent" actually looks like is a reminder of how much reality TV has changed.
If you're curious about where the former judges are now, most have stayed in the spotlight. Howard Stern is still the king of satellite radio. Gabrielle Union is producing and starring in major films. And Sharon Osbourne? She’s still as outspoken as ever on her own terms.
To stay truly up to date with the current panel and any upcoming "special guest" judges, you should follow the official AGT social media channels or check NBC's press site during the spring when they usually announce the upcoming summer lineup. Knowing the history helps you spot the patterns—like how the show usually brings back a "legacy" judge whenever they need a ratings boost.