Sharon Osbourne’s replacement on the America’s Got Talent judges panel has been chosen, and the new face shares two things I can think of in common with her predecessor. The first is that she’s female, and the second, she’s British. If those hints aren’t enough for you, here’s the scoop – Spice Girls’ Mel B will be taking over for Osbourne.
After Osbourne announced her departure last fall, amid rumors that her son Jack’s firing from another NBC show, Stars Earn Stripes, was the reason, America’s Got Talent was down at least one judge. Both of the male judges on the panel, and Howie Mandel, have already announced their return, but the talent competition left it down to the wire for the final chair. Deadline reported Mel B’s hiring for the spot less that two weeks before the show starts up taping for Season 8 on March 4th.
The former Spice Girl has already spent some time in the judge’s seat on TV, sitting on the panel for the Australian version of The X Factor, and guest hosted on the version in her home country. Melanie Brown, better known simply as Mel B or “Scary Spice” has also dabbled in acting, appearing on the Showtime series Secret Diary of a Call Girl, and of course Spice World.
America’s Got Talent is set to begin taping in New Orleans now that the judges panel is filled out, but it seems unlikely Mel B will be the kind of name or presence that will help the show in the ratings.
