Why Did Heidi Klum Leave ‘AGT’? What We Know About Her Exit

Heidi Klum is back on America’s Got Talent! For one night only, the former judge is returning as a guest for the September 8 episode, joining Mel B., Sofia Vergara, and Howie Mandel to comment on the 11 acts performing on Night 4 of the Quarterfinals. Her return comes amid Simon Cowell‘s hiatus from the show as he recovers from back surgery.

The supermodel was previously an AGT judge from Seasons 8 to 13, then again from Seasons 15 to 19. She started her tenure working with Mandel, Mel B., and Howard Stern. Then, Cowell replaced Stern in Season 11. When Klum came back for Seasons 15 to 19, she worked alongside Mandel, Cowell, and Vergara.

But Seasons 20 and the current Season 21 have featured Mel B. in her place. So, what happened? Scroll down for everything we know.

Why did Heidi Klum leave AGT?

While Klum has never explicitly stated the reason she left AGT, the timing corresponds with her return to Project Runway in 2025. She left Project Runway in 2017 to begin working on her own show, Making the Cut, with Tim Gunn, which aired from 2020 to 2022.

Trae Patton/NBC

However, Klum decided to come back to judge Project Runway for Season 21 in 2025, and she was not listed on the AGT panel later that year, despite having previously juggled both shows from 2013 to 2017. She’s back on the Project Runway panel for Season 22 in 2026, as well.

Deadline reported that the reason for Klum’s exit may also be for business reasons because she “commands one of the top salaries in reality TV.”

Amid news of Klum’s exit, a rep for AGT said in a statement, “Heidi has been an incredible part of AGT, bringing her signature charm, expertise and warmth to the show. We are enormously grateful for her many contributions and the impact she has had while celebrating the world’s greatest talent with us.”

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Will Heidi Klum return to AGT?

Klum has never spoken about whether her future plans involve AGT, but the NBC rep’s statement did conclude with, “We’d love for our paths to cross again,” so it seems she would be welcome back in a permanent position. Her guest judging in Season 21 is her first time returning since her exit.

What is Heidi Klum doing now?

In addition to working on Project Runway, Klum is also still the host of Germany’s Next Top Model, which is currently in its 21st season. She recently had a cameo in The Devil Wears Prada 2 and continues to maintain her own modeling career.

Plus, of course, she is a mom to four children and wife to husband Tom Kaulitz.

America’s Got Talent, Season 21, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8/7c, NBC