Simon Cowell Brings In Two Music Powerhouses To Help Decide AGT’s Biggest Moments

This season on America’s Got Talent, the Judges are each giving a handful of worthy Acts a chance to re-Audition — at their homes, no less — to gain a place in the Live Shows, in a special Judges’ Callback round before voting begins.

But with each of the four Judges separated by miles, and in some cases continents, are they making these decisions on their own?

Well, yes and no. Ultimately, each Judge decides the fates of the hopeful Acts, but during the callback performances, they’ll be joined by special celebrity guests to help them with their critiques and feedback.

And Judge Simon Cowell, of course, just had to have two celebs on his team. In fairness, he was crucial to making Callbacks a thing.

“Once the Auditions are over, we have to go back and watch the Auditions over and over again to determine who we think should be the finalists, and that’s a really hard part of when we do this,” Cowell revealed to NBC Insider.

“So, one of the producers said, ‘What if each Judge took a number of contestants who they like, but would like to see a second time?’ And I thought, ‘Actually that’s a really, really good idea.

So I held my hand up first and I said, ‘I’d like to see those contestants. I’d like to get to know them better.’”

During the Callbacks at his home in Malibu, California, Cowell was joined by pop star Normani and songwriter-producer Poo Bear. Get to know them, here.

Celebrate NBC100 by Watching These Unscripted Shows All Summer

Summer is here, and on NBC that means the return of America’s Got Talent and American Ninja Warrior. Season 21 of AGT  kicks off June 2, with new episodes airing Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and next day on Peacock. Meanwhile, Ninja Warrior Season 18 begins June 8, with new episodes airing Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

These exciting new seasons come in the middle of NBC’s 100th anniversary festivities.

Keep reading NBC Insider all summer for fun stories celebrating this milestone—including ones about AGT and Ninja Warrior.

What to know about Normani and her start on The X Factor

Normani appears on America’s Got Talent Season 21 Episode 8.

Photo: Trae Patton/NBC

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As Cowell pointed out, Normani Kordei Hamilton has been in the near-exact position as the Season 21 Acts.

When she was a teenager, Normani tried out for the singing competition series The X Factor, and while she didn’t make it through as a soloist, then-Judge Simon Cowell placed her and four other competing singers into a group together called Fifth Harmony. They gained a strong and dedicated fanbase during their time on the show.

The crew ultimately made it to the finals and earned third place.

Fifth Harmony went on to have a slew of hit songs — including “Work from Home,” “Worth It,” and “That’s My Girl” — and since the group broke up in 2018, Normani has had a successful solo career.

She dropped her hit single “Motivation” in 2019 and has been featured in popular tracks with Sam Smith, Khalid, and more. Her long-awaited debut album, Dopamine, released in 2024.

The 30-year-old made her feature film debut as an actress in the 2024 film Freaky Tales.

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Credit: Trae Patton/NBC

What to know about producer Poo Bear

Poo Bear appears on America’s Got Talent Season 21 Episode 8.

Photo: Trae Patton/NBC

Born Jason Boyd, producer Poo Bear began his career as a professional songwriter when he was just 14, and later contributed songs to Usher’s mega-bestselling album Confessions, including the hit single “Caught Up.”

He was also one of Justin Bieber’s key collaborators during the Purpose era.

Similar to his AGT cameo, in 2025 he appeared on docuseries The Next Act, which documented Simon’s quest to build the next big boy band.

In 2017, he spoke to Billboard about his ongoing ambitions as an artist.

“I’ve never stopped writing, I’ve never slowed down just because I don’t have something on the radio, or a No. 1 or No.2 record.

That doesn’t mean that I’m not in the studio planting seeds,” he explained.

“I still feel like I’m in the beginning of my career, I have so much to prove to the world, to myself, to God.

I’m so focused right now and I’ve always been focused on creating.

It’s just about, ‘How long and how consistent can [my career} be?

How can I keep evolving so I’m never looked upon as ‘Oh, he’s too old’?’ That’s one of those being afraid of forever things — being too old where I’m not in reach of the mind of kids.

I’m trying to stay a song ahead, two songs ahead of everybody else.”

He is a three-time Grammy nominee.