Mel B has spoken out again over comments made by her America’s Got Talent boss and co-judge Simon Cowell on Tuesday.
After a disappointing magic act, Simon, 57, likened the routine to Mel’s wedding night – saying it had ‘not much promise or delivery’, to which she threw a cup of water at him and stormed off set.
In an interview with E! News, Mel said: ‘[Evie Clair] really made me cry because it made me think about my dad, and my dad recently passed away from cancer also, with an almost eight to nine years struggle.’
Soaking wet: Mel B threw a cup of water on Simon Cowell during America’s Got Talent on Tuesday and walked off the stage after he cracked a crude joke at her expense
‘I got angry’: The former Spice Girls singer, 42, later branded the show boss ‘stupid’ and suggesting he had been insensitive about her father’s death
Explaining her anger, she continued, ‘She just sounded so beautiful and I couldn’t stop crying, so I go from that to Simon saying something so rude and inappropriate.’
On Tuesday, Mel, 42, – who is going through a bitter divorce with Stephen Belafonte – split her dress in the commotion, before branding the show boss ‘stupid’ and suggesting he had been insensitive about her father’s death.
Mel’s father Martin Brown passed away in March following a long battle with cancer.
The performance which kicked off the controversy was by Demian Aditya who did an ‘insanely dangerous’ escape act that was badly scuppered by a technical problem.
Oh dear: Mel – who is going through a divorce with estranged husband Stephen Belafonte – split the back of her dress in the commotion as she stormed offstage
The moment: Mel flung water at Simon after he made a joke referencing her wedding night
Shine on: The mother-of-three debuted a silver-haired crop with a green streak running through it as she stunned in an embellished skintight dress
Simon wasn’t enamored and hit his buzzer in disapproval.
‘I feel like this would be a lot like Mel’s wedding night, a lot of anticipation…not much promise or delivery,’ said Simon as Mel angrily hurled water at him.
Mel, who debuted a new silver-haired crop with a green streak in it on the night, walked off the stage in ire.
Wardrobe malfunction: The strap along the back of her dress was torn during her scuffle with Simon
Ruling the red carpet: The former Spice Girls star showcased her incredible figure in the form-fitting number
‘Mel B is out,’ said host Tyra Banks, 43. ‘This is live TV, y’all. Live TV.’
The former Spice Girls singer however only left briefly and was back in her chair for the next routine.
Another ‘technical difficulty’ prevented Ukrainian dance act Light Balance from performing at all – so the audience had to watch their dress rehearsal instead.
Live broadcast: Tyra Banks informed viewers that Mel was out of there
Technical difficulties: The judges were confused as the daredevil act by Demian Aditya stalled
Bummed out: Demian was disappointed that his routine was ruined by technical difficulties
Good times: Howie Mandel and Heidi Klum were having fun as Mel and Simon clashed
‘That’s what happens when you make live TV guys,’ said Simon, calling them ‘phenomenal’.
First of the night was Southern California dance group Brobots & Mandroidz.
‘I just wasn’t getting the wow,’ said Howie Mandel, but everyone else disagreed.
‘There were so many wows,’ yelled Mel, who was sporting a new cropped, silver hair do.
Rehearsal footage: Technical difficulties also forced Light Balance to show their dress rehearsal dance routine
Mixed reviews: Brobots & Mandroidz got mixed reviews from the judges
Next was the ‘little girl with big dreams’ Celine Tam who sang Whitney Houston’s When You Believe.
Mel thought the song was ‘too big’ for the nine-year-old but Heidi Klum disagreed.
‘I see Broadway, I see movies,’ predicted the 44-year-old model.
Big dreams: Celine Tam took on the Whitney Houston song When You Believe
Big voice: The young singer despite her small stature has a huge voice
Next up was the duo Mirror Image featuring twins who are in high school.
‘We’re twin it to win it,’ they announced before launching into Queen’s 1976 hit Somebody To Love.
Simon wasn’t impressed.
Twinning time: Mirror Image performed their quirky song and dance routine
Live show: Heidi wore a silky blue dress to the live show in Los Angeles
The judges: She lit up the carpet in her eye-catching oufit
The host: Tyra showed her model looks on the carpet at the Dolby Theatre
Man in black: Howie Mandel donned a black coat and black pants
‘The singing isn’t great…I don’t know what this act is,’ moaned the music executive.
‘He’s just a party pooper,’ Heidi assured them, while Mel called them ‘thoroughly entertaining’.
Next up was Johnny Manuel, 32, who once toured with NSYNC.
Not impressed: Simon admitted that he was not impressed by Mirror Image
‘You’ve been OK up until now, this was your moment,’ praised Simon.
Heidi’s ex husband Seal had given Johnny his Golden Buzzer when he was guest judge two weeks ago.
‘I don’t love it when Seal’s right…but I have to say, boy was he right,’ admitted Heidi.
Golden guy: Johnny Manuel took his singing to the next level
Seal of approval: Heidi admitted her ex-husband Seal was right to hit his guest judge Golden Buzzer for Johnny
Twelve-year-old robot dancer Merrick Hanna created his own routine about ‘a boy that has no family’.
‘Very original,’ said Howie while Mel called it ‘mesmerizing’.
‘So inventive, so creative,’ smiled Simon.
Robot dancer: Merrick Hanna created his own routine about ‘a boy that has no family’
Unique talent: Simon praised young Merrick for being original
Magician Eric Jones did an impressive card trick involving a poker chip and a pane of glass.
‘Incredible!’ Exclaimed Mel, 42.
‘I think you’re great,’ said Simon who advised Eric to work on his ‘showmanship’ to make it further.
Magic act: Eric Jones recruited Howie for his magic act
Illusion master: Heidi and Mel also helped Eric out with his routine
Solid glass: Howie was amazed when his playing card was seemingly pushed through solid glass
The three mature gentlemen of the Masqueraders sang their love song Average Guy – which they wrote 50 years ago.
‘You guys have that feel good effect on everybody,’ said Mel, while noting that the ‘over produced’ music ‘spoiled it’ for her a little.
‘All I want to hear is you guys and your harmonies,’ she said.
Talented trip: The Masqueraders performed a song they wrote 50 years ago
‘I absolutely love you,’ gushed Simon.
Arizona singer Evie Clair pulled heart strings with a story about her critically ill father.
‘I have to give 100 percent because that’s what my dad is doing, and I want to be like him,’ said Evie, who sang Wings by Birdy.
Multiple talents: Evie Clair played piano and sang while her sick father watched from home
‘You made me speechless,’ said Howie, 61.
‘You’re like a singing angel, and it made me think of my dad,’ said Mel.
Next was Florida-based poodle trainers – Pompeyo Family Dogs.
Tender moment: The singer wished her parents a happy wedding anniversary after performing
They did a safari-themed act that had everyone smiling.
‘It is so very cute,’ cooed Heidi, who loved the ‘dog onesies’.
‘My son Eric’s going to love that,’ commented Simon.
Family act: The Pompeyo Family got in on act with their trained dogs
Favorite routine: Simon told the Pompeyo Family that he loved their act and so would his son
The 12th and final performer was Simon’s Golden Buzzer pick – singer Mandy Harvey, who went deaf as a teenager after an illness.
She sang an original track, Mara’s Song, while strumming a ukulele.
Simon was close to tears.
Original song: Mandy Harvey played ukulele while performing her original song
Final performer: The deaf singer moved the judges and audience with her performance
‘My emotions tonight!’ he exclaimed, while Heidi called it ‘raw and real’.
‘You’re like a miracle worker,’ agreed Mel.
America’s Got Talent continues Wednesday on NBC with the results of viewer voting helping determine which seven of the 12 acts will advance.
Getting emotional: Simon admitted to getting emotional during the performances