Melanie “Mel B” Brown has returned to America’s Got Talent for Season 21, joining Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara and Howie Mandel on the judging panel, and she says her dynamic with Cowell remains as playful and tense as ever. Speaking to Billboard, the former Spice Girls star described Cowell as “like my annoying older brother,” saying they tease each other constantly both on and off camera. She added that the joking does not stop when the cameras are off, and said she will call him out whenever he annoys her. Mel B said she also visits Cowell’s home in Malibu with her children, where the two relax together over dinner, showing that their relationship extends beyond the television set.
Mel B’s return marks another chapter in her long history with the NBC talent competition. She previously served as a judge on AGT from 2011 to 2018 before being brought back for the newly launched season, where she replaced Heidi Klum. Reflecting on her comeback, she said the showrunners “fired” and “rehired” her because they “couldn’t get enough” of her. She described AGT as a fun and familiar environment and said it feels like family to her. Mel B explained that she would already be watching the program at home with her kids, husband and dogs, so being part of the series professionally feels natural and meaningful to her.
In the interview, Mel B also discussed what she looks for when deciding whether to press the Golden Buzzer. Her standard, she said, is simple: she wants to be completely captivated. No matter the type of act, whether it is comedy, singing, dancing, magic or pole acrobatics, she wants something that holds her attention from start to finish. If a performance mesmerizes her and leaves her unable to look away, that is the kind of act she is likely to reward.
She also opened up about how emotionally connected she feels to contestants. Mel B said she is “very much like an empath,” meaning she deeply senses what performers are experiencing on stage. When contestants push themselves to the limit and give everything they have in their performance, she feels that effort with them. Because of that, she said she does not want the journey to end when a contestant delivers a strong emotional performance. Her comments suggest that she approaches judging not just as a critic, but as someone who is emotionally invested in the contestants’ experience.
Mel B also spoke about the wider appeal of America’s Got Talent and why the show continues to connect with audiences. She said it gives families something to discuss, anticipate and enjoy together. In her view, the program has become a universal, feel-good destination for viewers of all ages. Her remarks highlight both the entertainment value of the show and the personal connection she feels to it after years of involvement.
