She just wrapped production on the final season of ABC’s sitcom Modern Family after 11 seasons.
And on Thursday, it was announced that Sofia Vergara will be the new judge on NBC’s America’s Got Talent.
Vergara, 47, joins returning judge Heidi Klum, 46, who most recently was a judge on AGT: Champions.
The two replace Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough who were fired as judges after just one season.
New lineup: Sofia Vergara will be the new judge on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Vergara, 47, joins returning judge Heidi Klum, 46, who most recently was a judge on AGT: Champions
Vergara and Klum join longtime judges Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell, who is also the show’s creator and executive producer, for the 15th season of the talent competition.
Terry Crews is also coming back as host.
In a statement, Colombian-born Vergara said: ‘I’m so happy to join my new family on AGT. This is a new and exciting next chapter for me and I’m extremely proud to be the first Latin judge on the show.’
New role: Vergara has just wrapped filming on the 11th and final season of ABC sitcom Modern Family which made her a household name and one of the highest-paid actresses in the world
Dropped some cash: As news of her new role circulated, Vergara was enjoying a shopping trip in Beverly Hills where she stopped by the Louis Vuitton boutique and Saks Fifth Avenue
‘Sofia’s infectious energy and sharp wit will blend perfectly with returning favorites Heidi, Simon, Howie, and Terry,’ Meredith Ahr, president of NBC Entertainment’s alternative and reality group, said in a statement.
‘As both a respected actress and successful entrepreneur, she embodies the American dream that is synonymous with AGT’s transformative stage,’ Ahr added.
Klum, who was on the show from 2013 to 2018 and then did two seasons of AGT: Champions, also shared her delight at her continued association with the franchise.
‘I’m so excited to be back at AGT with Simon, Howie and Terry. The fact that Sofia Vergara is joining us is the icing on an already delicious cake,’ she said.
Franchise family: ‘I’m so excited to be back at AGT with Simon, Howie and Terry. The fact that Sofia Vergara is joining us is the icing on an already delicious cake,’ Klum said Thursday
The German model and TV personality came under fire in January after saying she never witnessed ‘anything that was weird or hurtful’ while working on AGT and ‘only had an amazing experience’.
Her defense of the series came after Union’s accusations of a ‘toxic culture’ at the show made headlines and prompted an investigation by the network.
She later clarified her remarks, telling People: ‘I can only speak of my own truth, and by no means is that meant to negate or question Gabrielle’s truth…. I am aware that my experience may not be the same as Gabrielle’s.’
Fired: Union joined the talent competition as a judge for its 14th season, which aired last year, along with former DWTS personality Julianne Hough. Neither were invited back for season 15
Spoke out: Union claimed she experienced a ‘toxic work culture’ at AGT, saying she was the victim of racist comments and was told she was wearing her hair ‘too black’ for the audience
Union joined the talent competition as a judge for its 14th season, which aired last year, along with former DWTS personality Julianne Hough. Neither were invited back for season 15.
The actress, 47, subsequently spoke out about experiencing racist comments and being told she was wearing her hair ‘too black’ for the AGT audience.
She also complained that judge-producer Cowell continuously smoked on the indoor set, Variety reported in November.
Union’s husband, former NBA player Dwyane Wade, and other prominent people called for answers on why she was fired.
In January, NBC’s entertainment chief Paul Telegdy said the network has taken the allegations about AGT very seriously and ‘new practices’ would be put in place if warranted.
He stated that an investigation into the allegations was set to be completed by the end of January.
However, there has not yet been any public update on what the investigation found.
Issues: Union also complained that judge-producer Cowell continuously smoked on the indoor set. Cowell as well as longtime judge Howie Mandel will both be back for season 15
Looked into it: In January, NBC’s entertainment chief Paul Telegdy said the network has taken the allegations about AGT very seriously and ‘new practices’ would be put in place if warranted