Tensions flared between the judges during the America’s Got Talent season 20 finale performances as Simon Cowell called out Melanie “Mel B” Brown for a comment she made to one of the contestants.
The awkward moment came after Micah Palace finished performing songs “Spanglish” and “No Sabo” on Tuesday, September 23. The Spice Girls alum, 50, had some advice for the 23-year-old finalist.
“I just wanna give you a few words of advice: you’ve got to be nice to everybody, the crew, the people that dress you,” she said. “‘Cause if not, you’re gonna meet them on the way back down, anyway.”
“What do you mean?” asked Cowell, 65, before fellow judge Howie Mandel interjected to offer his own feedback.
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When host Terry Crews took over again, Cowell jumped in to defend Palace.
“I’ve just gotta butt in here,” he said. “I’ve seen you, Micah, backstage — this is my own perspective — you’ve been really polite and sweet to everybody.”
“So that was out of order,” he added, referring to Mel B’s comment.
Palace then had a chance to speak for himself and expressed gratitude to his mother for teaching him to treat others with respect. He then apologized to anyone he may have offended on the show.
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Mel B later clarified that her intention was merely to pass on advice that she received as a young performer, according to People.
Cowell’s defense of Palace comes a week after he told Us Weekly exclusively that he hasn’t necessarily softened as a judge — the acts have just gotten better.
“I probably have. I would say also that the acts got better, to be fair,” he said on Tuesday, September 16, ahead of the America’s Got Talent semifinals. “I mean, when we were first doing this, some of the acts that we saw were just terrible, and I don’t know if I’d say it quite the same way, but I would certainly say to them if they were as bad again, ‘You’re terrible.’ I can’t lie to people.”
Cowell joined the America’s Got Talent judging panel in 2016 for season 11, replacing Howard Stern. That followed his run as a judge on both American Idol and The X Factor.
“We are very fortunate that we make a show that makes people feel good,” he added. “That’s probably why it’s been on for as long as it has. It’s about everyone getting along great.”
The America’s Got Talent season 20 finale airs on ABC Wednesday, September 24, at 9 p.m. ET.
