Sofia Vergara is the newest judge to join 'America’s Got Talent'

Sofia Vergara is the latest celeb to join the reality show America’s Got Talent. The Modern Family star made the announcement on her social media pages on Thursday night, confirming the news that had previously been rumoured. Vergara will appear on the upcoming 15^th season of AGT, and we’re already excited for the actor to spend half her time judging and the other half teasing Simon Cowell.Vergara was first rumoured to be meeting with NBC back in December to discuss the possibility of becoming a judge on AGT. Variety reported that Vergara was meeting with producer Fremantle after the contracts for Season 14 judges Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough were not renewed. Vergara confirmed her addition to the AGT cast Thursday night, sharing an image of her name along with returning judges Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Cowell. “I am so happy to join my new family on @agt,” wrote Vergara. “This is a new and exciting next chapter for me and I’m extremely proud to be the first Latin judge on the show. I can’t wait to watch all the new talent and have fun with all you guys!”

 

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I am so happy to join my new family on @agt This is a new and exciting next chapter for me and I’m extremely proud to be the first Latin judge on the show. I can’t wait to watch all the new talent and have fun with all you guys!

A post shared by Sofia Vergara (@sofiavergara) on Feb 27, 2020 at 4:02pm PST

Vergara is already receiving support from her old and new co-stars. Modern Family’s Jesse Tyler Ferguson commented “I can’t WAIT!!!!,” while Sarah Hyland added “So proud of you mi amor!” Returning AGT host Terry Crews let a series of first and fire emojis speak for his excitement and fellow judge Howie Mandell posted the cheeky “Wow you are really going to love working with me.”Heidi Klum, who was a judge on AGT from 2013 to 2018 and returned this year for the second season of America’s Got Talent: Champions, told Variety that she was happy to be back for a full season and to have Vergara by her side. “I’m so excited to be back at ‘AGT’ with Simon, Howie and Terry,” Klum said. “The fact that Sofia Vergara is joining us is the icing on an already delicious cake.”The seven-week second season of AGT: Champions ran from January to February and featured Klum, Cowell, Mandel and Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon. The show ended on February 17 and crowned Indian dance group V.Unbeatable as the season champs.Vergara will joint AGT for Season 15 this summer shortly after the finale of Modern Family. Vergara has played Gloria Pritchett in all 11 seasons of the beloved sitcom, earning four Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for the role. The final episode of the series was filmed earlier this week and the finale is set to air on April 8.

 

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What a day!! Saying goodbye to our Modern Family❤️❤️❤️

A post shared by Sofia Vergara (@sofiavergara) on Feb 21, 2020 at 9:59pm PST

Vergara is joining AGT amidst turmoil behind the scenes. Following Union and Hough’s dismissal from the show in the fall of 2019, reports from many sources working on the show revealed that the judges were released from their contracts because of a toxic work environment. Sources told Variety that Union had spoken up multiple times about inappropriate and racist comments made by guest judges and contestants and was often criticized for her appearance and hairstyles, being told they were ‘too black’ for TV. Union and executives at AGT met following the release of the allegations and NBC has launched an internal investigation into the workplace environment on AGT, which is currently ongoing.[video_embed id='-1']Before you go: Just a tiny dog sleeping on top of a big dog[/video_embed]