Simon Cowell had back surgery. He is set to miss live episodes of America's Got Talent for a few weeks while he gets better after the routine procedure. Reports surfaced on Monday, August 24, 2026. USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, and Yahoo News Canada all reported the details. He remains absent. The absence is focused on live broadcasts.
TMZ, TV Insider, and talentrecap.com also wrote about his medical status. Cowell requires rest. He is taking a few weeks off to rest. Recovery is expected to take several weeks.