'America's Got Talent' makes huge change. Simon Cowell explains why

The long-running competition series 'America's Got Talent' is implementing a significant change to its format during the current 2026 season. According to reporting from USA Today, Simon Cowell has stepped forward to explain the reasoning behind this substantial modification. This development coincides with the production of Season 21, as the competition moves toward the live show stage. The transition is marked by the selection of the quarter-finalists, a process involving the judges' critical decision-making capabilities. Coverage from Give Me My Remote specifies that Simon Cowell and Mel B have been actively involved in picking their judges callback quarter-finalists.

This phase of the competition is accompanied by a training camp located in Seattle, as noted by TV Insider. The scale of the show's reach is further highlighted by local interest, such as a Cleveland restaurant planning to host a dedicated watch party to support a duo from Benton during their callback appearance, as reported by Local 3 News. Contextual details provided by Gold Derby emphasize that the 2026 season is currently identifying the specific acts that will advance to the live shows of Season 21. The timing of these changes is critical as the show narrows the field of contestants through the callback and training camp processes. The involvement of established judges like Cowell and Mel B remains central to the narrative, with Cowell serving as the primary spokesperson for the strategic shift in the show's direction.

Future developments to monitor involve the official unveiling of the full roster of live show acts for the 2026 season. Observers will be looking for further details regarding the specific nature of the change mentioned by USA Today and how the training camp results in Seattle will influence the final quarter-finalist selections. The outcomes for specific regional acts, such as the Benton duo, will also serve as a barometer for the impact of these new format changes.