Australia’s Got Talent recruits international stars for judging panel

Channel 7 has revealed the local and international celebrities who will be fronting its judging panel for its revived Australia’s Got Talent in 2021.

Former Australian Idol contestant, singer and media identity Rick-Lee Coulter will be back as host, but most of the judges have changed.

In 2020, Sonia Kruger, Shane Jacobson, Manu Feildel and Olympia Vallance has been in the lineup, as well as scheduled guest appearances from Kyle Sandilands. The show, however, didn’t make it across the line due to COVID-19 production pauses.

In 2021, Jacobson is the only one who has held onto his judging duties.

Joining him will be Nova Drive co-host Kate Ritchie, as well as acclaimed star of stage and screen, Neil Patrick-Harris.

In addition, former Mis-Teeq band member, Alesha Dixon, joins the panel from the UK. Dixon has also already racked up nine years on Britain’s Got Talent and appeared on America’s Got Talent. 

She said she’s super excited to be joining the Australian franchise.

“I can’t wait to see what talent Australia has to give and I’m really looking forward to working with my fellow judges,” she added.

Patrick-Harris, meanwhile, claimed to be a super-fan of the Australian show.

“To say I’m a fan of the AGT franchise is an understatement – I’ve been watching since the very first season. I’m a performer who has taken many stages throughout the, well, many stages of my career – be it acting, singing, dancing, hosting, juggling, magic-ing, even breathing fire – and I have developed enormous respect for anyone with the courage to pursue their talents and passions at any level, let alone televised on a national stage,” he said.

“Australia has phenomenal talent across so many disciplines, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to join AGT in 2021 to see firsthand what the country’s awesome contestants have to offer.”

Fremantle Australia’s director of unscripted, Jonathon Summerhayes said he’s delighted to welcome the megastar judging panel.

“This show is a juggernaut that uncovers acts who resonate around the world and we can’t wait to shine a spotlight on some incredible Australian and international talent,” he added.

Angus Ross, Seven’s director of network programming, added: “This is AGT on a scale like never before – to be the best, you have to beat the best. Alongside the judging panel’s world-class talent, AGT promises to deliver world-class acts, with all the spectacular, surprising and must-see moments Australian families absolutely love.”

This series of Australia’s Got Talent will see some of Australia’s best entertainers go head-to-head with some of the most memorable Got Talent acts from around the world. The winner will receive $100,000.

This year, Channel 7 is also screening The Voice, a format which is picked up from Channel 9. Judges on The Voice for 2021 include Jessica Mauboy, Rita Ora, Guy Sebastian and Keith Urban.

Channel 7 recently released a blockbuster ad featuring the judges to start building hype for the program.

Next year, Channel 7 is also reviving Australian Idol, however it hasn’t yet revealed the hosts or judges.