Simon Cowell was beaming as he posed alongside Mel B on the red carpet for the 20th anniversary series of America’s Got Talent.

The talent scout, 65, stepped out in Pasadena, California, on Wednesday as filming kicked off at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium for the new series. 

He was joined on the red carpet by Spice Girl Mel B, 49, who was recently revealed to be returning to the show – five years after her departure. 

Mel B sported her signature leopard print in the form of thigh-high boots while Simon also sported a regular feature in his wardrobe, a dark grey sweater. 

Noticeably missing from the launch was Heidi Klum, 51, who was revealed to have left the show when its promo sH๏τs were released earlier this month. 

Heidi was instead spotted out and about on the American east coast instead, as she was spotted out for a stroll in New York City’s SoHo.

Simon Cowell was beaming as he posed alongside Mel B on the red carpet for the 20th anniversary series of America’s Got Talent in California on Wednesday

The talent scout, 65, stepped out in Pasadena, California, on Wednesday as filming kicked off at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium for the new series

Heidi looked as chic as ever out in New York as she donned an oversized grey plaid coat, over a dark navy denim two piece consisting of a longline shirt and bootleg jeans.  

Fans feared Heidi could be on her way out from the show after it was announced her show Project Runway was getting a reboot. 

Then last month their fears were confirmed when AGT shared a promo for its upcoming season, with no sign of Heidi.

Instead the snap included Simon, Sofia Vergara and Howie Mandel, host Terry Crewes and a new judge, Spice Girl Mel B.   

It was reported in January that Heidi, 51, would be heading back to Project Runway after eight years.

Speculation was rife that Heidi’s new filming project would clash with her America’s Got Talent duties, with many predicting at the time that she would be leaving the talent series as a result.

Sharing their theories of Heidi’s potential exit on Reddit, one fan said: ‘It looks like it due to Project Runway and other projects.

‘I really hope she finds time to come back this season but it’s not looking the best. But we won’t know until they release the judging panel.’

He was joined on the red carpet by Spice Girl Mel B, 49, who was recently revealed to be returning to the show – five years after her departure

Simon sported a regular feature in his wardrobe, a trusty dark grey sweater and some pink glᴀsses 

Meanwhile Mel B sported her signature leopard print in the form of thigh-high boots for the red carpet

Simon’s appearance comes after it was revealed he is back to challenge Strictly Come Dancing years on from the iconic The X Factor battle

Noticeably missing from the launch was Heidi Klum, 51, who was revealed to have left the show when its promo sH๏τs were released earlier this month

‘I’m going to miss her too but she’s getting a bit formulaic in my opinion,’ another said. ‘I just hope the new judge isn’t some carbon copy and is actually like NEW new.’ 

‘I have always liked her personality and what she brings in that sense, but she has never really had the best taste in acts,’ a third said.

‘It’s kind of a situation where I’ll miss her if they pick someone that doesn’t vibe well but will be okay with it if they find someone that has great chemistry with the rest of the panel.’

Heidi served as a panellist on America’s Got Talent since season eight aired in 2013, alongside Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara, and Simon Cowell. 

She was forced to miss season 14 in 2019 due to filming other projects, including Queen of Drags and Arctic Dogs, leaving Julianne Hough to temporarily take over her role.

Heidi returned for America’s Got Talent Champions 2 and season 15. 

Meanwhile Mel is returning to the show after five years. She joined the panel in 2013 as a judge for season eight to 13, as well as season one of America’s Got Talent: The Champions, before announcing her departure in 2019.

Heidi was instead spotted out and about on the American east coast instead, as she was spotted out for a stroll in New York City’s SoHo

Heidi looked as chic as ever out in New York as she donned an oversized grey plaid coat and Chanel quilted bag

Heidi also wore a dark navy denim two piece consisting of a longline shirt and bootleg jeans under her coat

Simon’s appearance comes after it was revealed he is back to challenge Strictly Come Dancing years on from the iconic The X Factor battle – with a Netflix talent show that aims to steal its Saturday night popularity crown.

The series, which starts this autumn, will follow the music mogul as he searches for singers to form a chart-topping boy band.

Sources close to the show say it mirrors The X Factor’s format by having auditions followed by a ‘judge’s houses’ stage. 

Episodes to find the four or five who will form the band will be similar to The X Factor’s live shows, which at their peak had 19 million viewers.

This time, shows will be pre-recorded for the streaming giant. 

Producers believe Simon’s determination to prove the boy band format is relevant to today’s music scene will make fascinating viewing and say the show is also likely to air in the US.