America’s Got Talent 2026 Judges Revealed: All Returning Veterans for NBC’s Long-Running Hit
The 21st season of NBC’s America’s Got Talent premieres tonight, June 2, with familiar faces returning to the judging panel. The long-running competition series will once again feature veteran talent and a lineup that includes judges with many years of experience on the show. However, one longtime judge is not coming back for a second straight year, continuing a recent absence from the series.
Host Terry Crews addressed the possibility of becoming a judge and said he has no interest in taking that role. In remarks to People, Crews explained that he sees himself as someone who supports and protects the contestants rather than critiques them from the panel. He described himself as “the bodyguard of talent,” saying that when he watches performers on the show, he relates to their journeys and wants to encourage them. Crews added that his role is to guide contestants before they perform, offer advice afterward, and comfort them if things do not go as planned.
His comments underscore the distinct role he sees for himself on the series: not as a decision-maker, but as a supportive presence for the acts competing on stage. That perspective has made him a key part of the show’s behind-the-scenes energy and a consistent source of encouragement for participants facing the pressure of a live audience and judges’ critiques.
The new season arrives with renewed attention on the judging lineup and the familiar format that has made America’s Got Talent one of NBC’s most recognizable reality competition shows. Each season brings singers, dancers, comedians, magicians, and other performers hoping to impress the panel and advance deeper into the competition.
The article also points readers to a slideshow revealing which judges are returning and which are not, highlighting the ongoing changes around the show’s panel as the series continues into its 21st season. Despite those changes, the program remains anchored by its long-standing blend of live performance, audience reaction, and high-stakes judging.
