Last weekend, “America’s Got Talent” judge Simon Cowell broke his back “in a number of places” and was nearly paralyzed after falling from a new electric bike that he was testing at his home in Malibu, California. Now, his fellow judge Howie Mandel is giving an update on Cowell’s health.
“The latest I’ve heard is that after a six hour operation, and some fused discs, and the rod put in his back, yesterday, he was up on his feet, already, he’s already mobile!” Mandel told E! News [1]. “So, as I’ve been saying to a few other people, I wouldn’t count out seeing Simon again before this season’s end.”
“We were a little bit in disarray because we were worried. We were worried about our friend, and our boss, and our leader, Simon Cowell, who we hear is doing spectacularly well, considering,” he added.
The singer and talk show host Kelly Clarkson is filling in for Cowell on “America’s Got Talent” until the British television personality is well enough to return.
“All right, y’all, so Kelly Clarkson here, taking over for Simon Cowell,” Clarkson said in a Twitter video [2] before Tuesday’s show. “I’ve just been kind of working on my lines, some of Simon’s best lines, because I’ve got a reputation to uphold.”
It's almost showtime y'all! Getting ready to take over for @SimonCowell [3]! I really need to work on my British accent… 😂😂 Looking forward to watching all of the acts! Catch a new episode of @AGT [4] TONIGHT at 8/7c on @NBC [5]. #AGT [6] pic.twitter.com/ArHjYE71vl [7]
— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) August 11, 2020 [8]
She then tried to say some of Cowell’s most iconic lines in a British accent, like, “I don’t like it … I love it,” and “What the bloody hell was that?”
In the end, Clarkson decided she was better off just being herself.
“I have the worst British accent in the entire universe so I’m just going to bring country to ‘AGT’ tonight!” she concluded.
After the show, Cowell thanked Clarkson for filling in for him.
“Thank you @kellyclarkson. Miss all of you. What a Great Show,” he tweeted.
Thank you @kellyclarkson [9]. Miss all of you. What a Great Show. #AGT [6]
— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) August 12, 2020 [10]
Clarkson was very close to being paralyzed in the accident. His ex-girlfriend Terri Seymour confirmed that the break ”was 1 centimeter away from from his spinal cord, that is true.”
“It’s bad, and he is in agony. [But] it could have been so much so much worse,” she added [11]. “He is going to need a lot of physical therapy.”
“Recovery is going to be a long road ahead. He’s so determined,” Seymour added. “He’s so upset to miss these live shows. It’s his baby — of course he wants to be there. Let’s just wait and see.”
This piece originally appeared in UpliftingToday.com [12] and is used by permission.
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