Why is Sofía Vergara Not a Judge in ‘AGT: Fantasy League?’

Lauren Novak November 21, 2023, 2:02 pm

Sofía Vergara attends the Red Carpet for 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 Live Show — Kevin Winter/Getty Images

NBC‘s America’s Got Talent has a brand-new spin-off coming soon. America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League will allow the judges to draft a lineup of finalists, winners, and fan favorites from previous seasons of America’s Got Talent and Got Talent franchises around the world. The talent involved will be pre-selected by America in a vote, and then the judges will be allowed to create their draft with 10 acts each, similar to a fantasy sports draft.

Then, the judges and contestants will be competing in hopes of winning it all and being crowned the winner of AGT: Fantasy League. The Golden Buzzer will remain in the show and can be used to send acts straight to the finals, but this season, there is a twist for the new series. Each judge can use the Golden Buzzer to send their own act straight to the finals or steal an act from another judge. The judges will be Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Mel B. Terry Crews, who will remain hosts. This begs the question, why is Sofía Vergara not returning to judge the new series?

Why is Sofía Vergara Not a Judge in ‘AGT: Fantasy League?’

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 09: (L-R) Terry Crews, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofía Vergara, and Simon Cowell, winners of the Best Reality Show Award for 'America's Got Talent,' pose backstage at the Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards 2022 at Barker Hangar on April 09, 2022 in Santa Monica, California

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Nickelodeon

During the latest season of AGT, Crews announced the spin-off show and revealed that Vergara would not be able to be a judge in the new series. She said, “I know! I had other things to do! But I’m going to leave you in good hands, I’ve found the perfect replacement.” She announced that Mel B, who previously judged AGT from 2013 to 2018, would be replacing her. While Vergara did not reveal why she was being replaced, it is likely because she is starring in the new mini-series Griselda as the titular character Griselda Blanco.

What is ‘Griselda?’

The Netflix mini-series Griselda is a drama focusing on the life of Griselda Blanco, the woman who created one of the most profitable cartels in history. The first episode is set to premiere on January 25, 2024.