Talent scouting
Mel B aims to be a tough, fair judge on
Will Mel B, one of the new judges on America’s Got Talent, be mean when she critiques aspiring performers or will she be a big softy?
The former Spice Girl says she’s simply going to be honest and fair.
But Howie Mandel, her fellow judge, paints a different picture of her. He describes her as tough and blunt, someone who can cut to the bone with one withering remark.
“We’ve had some comedians this year,” the Bald One says, “and if they don’t rise to the occasion, Mel B pulls no punches in telling them, ‘i’m going to tell you why i don’t like you. You’re not funny’.
“But that’s what you want from a judge. i don’t know if we’ve had that element before: brutal honesty with a lot of experience.”
Apart from Mel B and Mandel, the other judges in the show’s eighth season are Howard Stern (returning judge) and Heidi Klum (the other newbie judge).
We talked to Mel B and Mandel about the new season and what to expect. i’ve done Broadway. i’ve done big stadiums with the Spice Girls. i have been in that world of entertainment for a long time. So i’m just a very honest judge. i wouldn’t say i’m mean. i like to have a lot of fun, because i think life’s too short. And at the end of the day, this is their moment to shine, their 90 seconds to shine. So unless they’re wasting everybody’s time, i’m going to be nice.
Do you see many acts that make you think, “Why aren’t you already famous?”
Mel B:
Oh, every day. And let me tell you: The acts are raising the bar this year. They come on with the mindset of, “i’m not just going to ride a unicycle. i’m going to juggle while riding a unicycle and then lift somebody else on top of my head.” instead of demonstrating just one skill, they’re doing it all.
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