Heidi Klum Talks Returning for ‘America’s Got Talent: The Champions’ After Being Replaced on ‘AGT’

America’s Got Talent: The Champions will be back with former contestants competing against each other again. Heidi Klum, who is a former judge, is also returning this season.

Find out what she had to say about returning after being replaced. Also, find out more about the other casting changes after Julianne Hough and Gabrielle Union weren’t kept on the show.

Heidi Klum and Mel B were replaced on ‘America’s Got Talent’

Season 14 had a new cast change with Klum and Mel B getting replaced by Hough and Union. Meredith Ahr, President of Alternative and Reality Group at NBC Entertainment gave a statement to Deadline about this decision.

“One of the many secrets to the success and longevity of America’s Got Talent is its fearless drive to reinvent itself,” said Ahr. “The next evolution of the format brings in fresh expert eyes to join Simon [Cowell] and Howie [Mandel] on the panel.”

The president continued, “Gabrielle and Julianne are two of the most aspirational women in the business, on top of being electric entertainers with talent across disciplines. As their partner in crime, host Terry Crews will continue to light up the stage with his quick wit and unending charm.”

Sofia Vergara is reportedly being considered to be a new judge

Hough and Union won’t be returning to America’s Got Talent after judging just one season. There is reportedly a celebrity who is being considered to replace one of them.

Sofia Vergara is reportedly being considered for one of the roles. NBC and Fremantle has reportedly met with her to fill one of the spots on the show, according to TMZ.

This was after Union reportedly spoke up after multiple incidents happened while she worked on the show. SAG-AFTRA announced it will be investigating the matter behind her exit from the show.

“We take issues of workplace health and safety very seriously,” the union said in a statement according to Page Six. “We immediately reached out to Ms. Union’s representatives when these reports came to light. It is our practice to work closely with members who reach out to us and their representatives in instances like this, as that usually affords the best protection and best resolution for the affected member.”

Klum said everyone has been amazing with her returning

The former judge opened up about what it was like to return to the show. Klum said that she was welcomed back in a sweet way.

“It feels so good to be back and everyone has been so amazing,” she told Entertainment Tonight. “You know, there were welcome signs everywhere, the whole audience was chanting my name. I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ I was going beet red.”

She continued, “It was just really sweet. I didn’t expect it for everyone to be this welcoming.” The other judge this season is Alesha Dixon, who got some support from former judge, Mel B through a tweet.

“She’s just really nice and genuine and if she didn’t mean that, she wouldn’t have said it. I feel like Mel’s always had my back,” Dixon said.

America’s Got Talent: The Champions premieres Jan. 6 on NBC.