Heidi Klum and the giant red buzzer. It's a pairing we’ve seen for over a decade. But if you tuned into the milestone 20th season of America’s Got Talent recently, you probably noticed a glaring, sparkly absence. The supermodel is gone. Honestly, it feels weird. For years, she was the "lenient" one who loved a good singing act and occasionally used hand binoculars to spot the details.
Now, Mel B is back in her chair.
People are asking if there was some behind-the-scenes drama or if Simon Cowell finally got tired of her garlic soup breath (which Howie Mandel famously teased her about on air). The truth is actually way more "business" than "biopic."
Heidi America's Got Talent Departure: The Real Story
She didn't get fired. Let's get that out of the way. Unlike some of the messier exits we've seen in the past—think Gabrielle Union's controversial departure—Klum seems to have walked away on totally solid terms. The timing just finally stopped working.
In early 2025, she confirmed she was heading back to her roots. Project Runway is making a massive comeback on Freeform, and Heidi is the captain of that ship again. You basically can't be the face of a flagship show on a Disney-owned network (Freeform) while remaining locked into a massive, multi-million dollar contract with NBC.
There's also the money.
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Industry insiders, specifically through outlets like Deadline, have pointed out that NBC has been on a massive cost-cutting spree for the 2025-2026 season. They’ve been trimming everything from Law & Order to Night Court. Heidi Klum is one of the highest-paid people in reality TV history. We’re talking a salary that has been estimated anywhere from $3 million to $10 million per season depending on the year. When a network is looking to save a buck, the person with the $180 million net worth is usually the first one they look at for "renegotiation."
A Decade of Golden Buzzers and Binoculars
Heidi first showed up in Season 8. She replaced Sharon Osbourne, which was a huge deal at the time because people weren't sure if a supermodel could actually "judge" talent.
She proved them wrong by staying for 10 seasons.
She had a very specific "vibe" on the panel. She wasn't the mean one (Simon) or the wacky one (Howie). She was the one who genuinely wanted to be entertained. She famously pressed her Golden Buzzer for Richard Goodall in Season 19—the middle school janitor who sang "Don't Stop Believin'." It was a classic Heidi move: emotional, populist, and totally sincere.
She also had these weird quirks that made her human. Remember the "hand binoculars"? She’d cup her hands around her eyes to block the stage lights so she could see the performers better. It looked goofy, but she did it every single time.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Her Judging
There’s this idea that she was "easy." People on Reddit and Twitter love to complain that she was too nice.
But if you look at the stats, she was actually pretty tough on certain types of acts. She hated "creepy" stuff. When Tape Face first walked out in Season 11, she immediately called him creepy. She also struggled with comedians. There was a famous moment where she gave Taylor Williamson (who eventually got second place) a really hard time because she just didn't "get" his humor.
She wasn't just a "yes" machine. She was a "yes" machine for things she found beautiful or impressive. If it was gross or weird? She was out.
The Highlights: Heidi's Best (and Weirdest) Moments
We have to talk about the viral stuff.
- The Richard Goodall Victory: Seeing her Golden Buzzer actually win the whole show in Season 19 was a high note to go out on.
- The Sal Valentinetti Duet: She sang "Santa Baby" with the crooner during a holiday special and "accidentally" fell on stage. People still argue if that fall was real or staged.
- The Ex-Wife Phone Call: In Season 18, she literally called a contestant's ex-wife on FaceTime in the middle of an audition. It was peak "TV producer Heidi" at work.
- The Garlic Soup: Howie Mandel's constant jokes about her breath became a running gag. She admitted she eats garlic soup every week for her health.
Is She Gone for Good?
Probably not.
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The AGT universe is like the Marvel Cinematic Universe—nobody stays dead or gone forever. She already took a break in Season 14 and came right back for The Champions. The network's official statement even said they'd love for their paths to cross again.
For now, she's focused on fashion and Germany's Next Topmodel.
Actionable Steps for AGT Fans
If you're missing the Heidi-era of the show, here is how you can still get your fix or stay updated on what happens next with the panel:
- Watch Project Runway on Freeform: If you want to see her back in her element as the "boss," this is where she'll be for the 2025-2026 season.
- Check out Richard Goodall’s Tour: Following his win (Heidi’s last Golden Buzzer), he’s been active on social media and performing live. It’s the best way to see the "Heidi legacy" in action.
- Follow the Season 20 Ratings: If the ratings dip without her, NBC might be more inclined to open the checkbook and bring her back for Season 21.
Heidi's run on America's Got Talent changed the show's DNA. She brought a level of glamour and genuine enthusiasm that's hard to replicate. Whether you loved her "hand binoculars" or hated her critiques of comedians, the show definitely feels a bit quieter without her.