The popular talent competition show America’s Got Talent has fans from across the globe and has been a massive platform for artists since its premiere in 2006. Simon Cowell created the show, Russell Norman served as the director, and Brian Friedman and Brian Burke were associated with the show as creative directors.
On NBC, America’s Got Talent season 19 is ongoing and will air quarterfinals 3 on August 27, 2024. Over the years, viewers have witnessed diverse acts and performances on the reality competition show. Here is a list of five scandals from America’s Got Talent.
What are the 5 scandals from America’s Got Talent? Details explored
1. The Sacred Riana from America's Got Talent season 13
During the thirteenth season of AGT, an illusionist, The Sacred Riana, shocked the audience and the judges with her spooky acts. She reached the quarter-finals, and while performing the competition's final act, the audience witnessed some unusual interruptions.
Her performance ended with an unexpected scream, and right after that, the show featured a commercial break without any explainable ending to her performance. Later, an AGT spokesperson shared that the scream and the blank screen, everything was part of the act itself. However, the contestant was eliminated from the show.
2. Gabrielle Union’s departure from AGT 14
Gabrielle Union was one of the judges on America’s Got Talent season 14 but didn’t get her contract renewed in November 2019. Gabrielle spoke out against racism and shared how she faced continuous criticism of her hair and appearance while on the show.
She also revealed how Simon Cowell smokes indoors and fellow guest host Jay Leno’s constant racism during her time on the show. Later, in May 2020, she filed a discrimination suit against the show's producers. She shared how the show has been surrounded by toxic culture.
3. Tim Poe: America’s Got Talent season 7
Tim Poe was accused of lying and gaining sympathy with his made-up story about his injuries during AGT season 7. The singer shared that after his injuries, he left the army, and those injuries left him with a stutter. When a National Guard spokesperson shed light on Tim’s story, the truth came out.
The spokesperson said no apparent proof backed Tim’s story. Moreover, Tim Poe's pictures of his army service were of another individual—Staff Sergeant Norman Bone, who said he had no idea who Tim was. Later, Tim apologized for misleading the audience with his story.
4. NBC was sued along with Marathon Productions
In 2017, a volunteer, Maureen Allen, arrived at an onsite convention. Because of AGT's “taping equipment,” she couldn’t get inside the venue in her wheelchair and ended up falling on the ground. The incident caused Maureen severe injuries, and she was also hospitalized. Later, because of a stroke, she underwent many surgeries.
Eventually, she was put on life support and then died after a few months. Her family sued NBC Universal, Marathon Productions, the City of Pasadena, and Fremantle Media for the wrongful death of Maureen Allen.
5. AGT host Nick Cannon’s sudden exit
Viewers must remember Nick Cannon, who hosted America’s Got Talent for eight seasons and suddenly left the show. According to Nick, NBC threatened him and said he might get fired for the jokes he shared during Nick’s Showtime stand-up special performance.
Nick also added that he decided to leave the show because he didn’t want to be censored, and his morals were more important than any amount of cash. After Nick Cannon left his host duties, Tyra Banks joined as the AGT host, who left the show after two seasons.
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