Former Spice Girl Returns to AGT & Reveals Why It’s a ‘Triumph’ for Her

“America’s Got Talent” is returning for Season 20! The judges panel has been announced, with returning judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, and Sofía Vergara, and one new face: former Spice Girl, Melanie Brown, better known as Mel B.

The “Viva Forever” singer was previously a judge on the show from Season 8 when she replaced Sharon Osbourne, until Season 13. Fans of the show did see Mel B return for 2019’s “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” and 2024’s “AGT: Fantasy League,” but this is the first time she is returning to the original “America’s Got Talent.” The news has been met with excitement, but why was the timing right for Brown now?

Mel B Reveals Why She’s Returning to the ‘America’s Got Talent’ Stage

When Brown decided to leave “America’s Got Talent,” she was dealing with many personal problems, including the fallout of her divorce from ex-husband, Stephen Belafonte. However, a lot has changed since 2018, and she has worked hard to heal from her pain.

“In my final year on AGT, I was not in a good place,” Brown told Life&Style in an interview on May 23. “So, this feels like a triumph for me. There is hope. You can piece your life back together with the support of good people around you.”

She continued to share that her healing “involved a lot of hard work,” including resolving issues with her family. The singer reflected on her time on AGT and how it had “represented a safe place” for her. She has a positive yet realistic outlook on the future, and when asked how she was feeling, she said, “I see this current chapter in my life as a continuation of the work I’ve done. You don’t just recover overnight.”

What Can AGT Fans Expect From Mel B as a Judge?

On May 20, a photo of Brown was shared on Instagram to remind fans that the premiere would start in one week. The show will air on Tuesday, May 27 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, and can be streamed a day later on Peacock.

Fans reacted to the post ahead of Season 20 and praised Brown’s comeback. “Can’t wait for @agt my Best & Favorite TV show to start @officialmelb Great to have you back,” a comment reads. “@officialmelb is my FAVE!” another fan shared.

In her interview with Life&Style, Brown sounded enthusiastic about her return to reality TV and teased the relationship we can expect her to have with her fellow judges. “I love to play pranks with Howie,” she said. “Sofía has been a revelation. She’s so gorgeous, but she’s also incredibly warm and really, really funny. Simon and I have known each other since he turned the Spice Girls down when we tried to get him to sign us. I love reminding him of that!”