A competition between talented Americans will now be judged by a German instead of a Brit: Heidi Klum is joining "America's Got Talent," replacing Sharon Osbourne, who quit after accusing NBC of discriminating against her son.
Klum is the second judge named to the panel since Osbourne's exit: Mel B of the Spice Girls also has a seat at the table, lending a British accent to the proceedings. And Howard Stern and Howie Mandel are returning, to bring the number of judges to four for the first time.
Klum has plenty of judging experience in the fashion field,
after working on "Project Runway," which she executive produces, and "Germany's Top Model." On "America's Got Talent," the supermodel will judge singers, dancers, ventriloquists, contortionists, impressionists, jugglers and magicians, all competing for a million-dollar prize.
Also read: Sharon Osbourne Accuses NBC of Discriminating Against Son
"America's got some serious talent! I'm really excited to join the panel of AGT to see it all — from the ridiculous to the fantastic!" Klum said in a statement.
Also read: Sharon Osbourne Compares NBC to the Titanic
Osbourne announced in August that she was leaving "Talent" because she believed NBC discriminated against her son, Jack. She contends that he was cut from the reality series "Stars Earned Stripes" because he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
NBC said it did not ask Jack Osbourne to take part in the physically rigorous competition, but did offer him two other roles with the series, both of which he declined. The network said it does not discriminate on any basis.
Sharon Osbourne later compared the network to the Titanic in an interview with David Lettterman.
"America's Got Talent" has featured at least one foreign-born judge scrutinizing domestic talent since the summer series debuted in 2006. Piers Morgan judged from the first season until 2011.