It was the "homecoming" nobody actually saw coming. When Mel B walked back onto the America's Got Talent stage for Season 20 in 2025, she didn't just bring the leopard print; she brought a level of brutal honesty that the show had been missing for years.
Honestly, the TV landscape is full of fake "we missed each other" narratives. But Mel? She went on the Today show and straight-up said she got "laid off and fired" by Simon Cowell back in 2019. She laughed it off, sure, but the spice was definitely there.
The Real Reason Behind the 7-Year Break
Let’s be real for a second. When Mel B left after Season 13, the official line was about schedules and the Spice Girls reunion tour. And yeah, that tour happened and it was massive. But Mel has since opened up about what was actually happening behind the judges' table during those peak years.
She was living a double life.
While she was screaming "off the chain" at acrobats, her personal life was a mess of a high-profile, allegedly abusive divorce and the grief of losing her father. She recently told TV Insider that the AGT desk was actually her "savior" during that time—the one place she could go and just be "Scary Spice" instead of a woman whose world was imploding.
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When Simon let her go, it wasn't necessarily a "you're bad at this" move. It was a chemistry shift. They brought in Julianne Hough and Gabrielle Union (which was its own whole drama), and then eventually settled into the long-running Sofia Vergara era.
Why the 2025 Return Changed Everything
Coming back for the 20th anniversary wasn't just a nostalgia trip. Replacing Heidi Klum—who took a hiatus for Project Runway—Mel B stepped into a very different panel.
The chemistry with Sofia Vergara was the big question mark. Sofia and Heidi were the ultimate "besties" of the show. Could Mel fit in?
- The Strict Judge Era: In the Season 20 auditions, Mel actually became the "mean" judge. It was wild to see. She gave out more "no" votes and red buzzers than anyone else on the panel, even Simon.
- The Golden Buzzer Choices: She’s always had a "thing" for singers, but she broke her own rules lately.
- The "Off the Chain" Factor: She still uses her catchphrases, but there's a different weight to them now that she’s 49 and has "been through the wars," as she puts it.
Mel B’s Most Iconic Golden Buzzers
If you've followed her whole run from Season 8 to now, you know she doesn't just hit the button for anyone. She looks for a specific kind of grit.
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Take Charity Lockhart in Season 20. Charity had been living in her car, struggled through her first song, and then pivoted to a Beatles cover that moved Mel to tears. That’s the "new" Mel—more emotional, more connected to the struggle.
Then you have the Messoudi Brothers in the Part 2 auditions. That wasn't just a "good" act; it was the kind of high-stakes juggling that makes you hold your breath. Mel slammed that button like her life depended on it.
Dealing with the Simon Cowell Factor
Working with Simon is basically an extreme sport. Mel is one of the few people who actually talks back to him without fear. During AGT: Fantasy League in 2024, she famously "stole" the rollerblading duo Billy & Emily England from Simon’s team.
Simon looked genuinely dumped. He joked that he felt like he’d just been through a breakup.
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That’s why her return works. Without Mel, the panel can sometimes feel a bit too "nice." Howie is the joker, Sofia is the glamour, and Simon is the boss. Mel is the wildcard who might throw water on someone (she actually did that to Simon once, remember?) or tell a singer they were "rubbish" to their face.
What’s Next for Scary Spice on AGT?
The 20th season is currently heading into the high-stakes live rounds at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. If you're watching, you've probably noticed that Mel has softened slightly since the auditions, moving back to being the "second toughest" judge behind Howie.
But don't get it twisted—she isn't there to make friends. She’s there to find a $1 million act that can actually headline a Vegas show.
Here is how you can keep up with her current run:
- Watch the Live Shows: They air Tuesdays on NBC. This is where Mel usually gets into the most heated arguments with Simon over the public vote.
- Check the AGT App: You can see her specific "Judge’s Choice" clips there.
- Follow her socials: Mel often posts "behind the scenes" looks at her outfits, which, honestly, are half the reason people tune in anyway.
If you’re wondering if this is a one-season-and-done deal, don't bet on it. Mel seems more settled than ever. She bought a new home, she’s engaged, and she’s finally enjoying the "feel-good effect" of the show without the baggage of her past. She's not just a judge anymore; she's a survivor who happens to have a Golden Buzzer.
To see Mel's most recent "stolen" acts and full critiques, you can head over to the official NBC America's Got Talent page or stream the latest episodes on Peacock.