Overview
- The Judges' Callback round began Tuesday, Aug. 4, with Simon Cowell and Mel B hosting their picks and guest judges; Howie Mandel and Sofía Vergara are scheduled to hold their callbacks on Aug. 11 ahead of live shows that start Aug. 18.
- Each judge invited celebrity guests to help evaluate and mentor acts, with Cowell joined by Normani and Poo Bear in Malibu and Mel B joined by Emma Bunton in Leeds.
- Producers say 23 acts were invited back to the callbacks and will compete for roughly 16 live-show slots, meaning several acts will be cut after these filmed deliberations.
- Cowell framed the change as a way to make the selection process more transparent and practical by giving judges time to see performers again and learn more about them rather than relying only on taped auditions.
- The callback sequence changes rehearsal and travel plans for contestants and gives them more time with judges, while also replacing the old off-camera selection process that followed auditions.