Sofia Vergara Got Simon Cowell To Show Viewers His Softer Side During This America's Got Talent Episode (2024)

Simon Cowell has developed a reputation for being a mean-spirited judge ever since he joined American Idol in its first season. During his reign on reality television, Cowell's biting and often hilarious remarks towards untalented contestants got him a lot of attention.

While many believed he was funny and witty, many others believed Cowell was unnecessarily mean.

However, this was later revealed to be an act that Cowell had to learn prior to becoming the reality icon that he is. Cowell has actually always had a softer side, which has shown through in his love of dogs. This is something that was on full display during one episode of America's Got Talent, thanks to a moment with fellow judge Sofía Vergara.

Simon Cowell's Love Of Dogs Allows Fans To See His Softer Side

During the season 19 premiere of AGT, Vergara appeared to be watching a pet cam on her phone during a break between acts.

"Are we looking in on puppies?" judge Heidi Klum asked.

It was then clear Vergara was watching footage of her dog, a girl chihuahua named Amore.

Cowell then spoke up, asking, "Oh, is that your little dog? That is the cutest dog."

It was a rare moment the public got to see Cowell's softer side. Vergara agreed and told Cowell that she initially believed the puppy was a stuffed animal.

It turns out this is a side of Cowell the judge himself isn't afraid to let people see. Shortly after meeting Amore in person, Cowell shared pictures of him with the puppy on social media.

"I've just fallen in love," Cowell captioned the post.

After this moment, a basset hound named Daisy May impressed the judges when it was led through an obstacle course by owner Amy. Cowell still couldn't resist the dog's cuteness and made kissing noises into the microphone.

When Cowell was asked what he was doing, he said, "I'm talking to the dog." Cowell even told Daisy May what a pretty girl she was backstage.

This isn't a new love of Cowell's. He adopted a German Shepherd named Pebbles at the beginning of 2024. Cowell posted a photo of his son Eric with the new addition to the family.

"LOVE," Cowell captioned the photo. Klum commented, "Absolutely beautiful."

Cowell first introduced Pebbles to the world on January 11 in an Instagram post.

"Our family has had a new arrival ...her name is Pebbles," he wrote.

In 2023, the Border Collie Hurricane and her coach, Adrian Stoica, won season 18 of AGT. Following their win, Cowell revealed they were the favorite of his son Eric for the entire season.

"Eric, my son, was at the show last night. And I said to him this morning, 'Who do you think is going to win?' and he said 'Hurricane.' He really, really called it," Cowell said.

"He's just obsessed with this dog. And even during the auditions, he met her and Adrian, and he's a great guy, and she is just adorable. And I was watching [Eric] as the results came in, and he was just like, jumping in the air. He was so excited," he added.

Stoica, Hurricane, and Eric even got pictures taken together on the red carpet that October.

"I’m so grateful for all the love you’ve given to Hurricane these days, starting from the Judges, Terry, Manolo, all the AGT staff and a special new friend of her, Eric! And thanks to you all here for your words and your support: precious!" Stoica wrote on Instagram.

Cowell previously shared his love for dogs when speaking to Glamour in 2015.

"I have always loved dogs but had no idea how much happiness they would bring to my life. Squiddly, Diddly, and, now, Freddie, are hugely important members of my family — and even the thought of any dog being mistreated sickens me," he told the outlet.

Despite His Current Reputation, Simon Had To Learn How To Be Mean On Camera

Cowell is now viewed as the epitome of brutally honest criticism. However, this is something which didn't always come naturally to Cowell. According to Mike Darnell, this is a skill Cowell had to learn. Darnell is a television executive who once spearheaded the reality television division at Fox. He told Deadline that Cowell's mean persona was taught to the judge in the name of entertainment.

He said that Cowell was already candid in his audition taping. Cowell previously had a frank tone as a judge on Pop Idol, the British equivalent. Kind judges were trendy at the time and Darnell wanted to lean into something different.

"I knew we had to get Simon Cowell, as he was the star of the show, but we needed something different in the U.S.," he said. "The mean judge, the frank judge. In all the other shows before him, everyone was polite and nice, and I knew that was going to be [his] thing. Simon, to his credit, was willing to do anything."

Despite this revelation, Cowell himself gave a different answer when talking to Good Morning America in 2003. "I've always been cruel," Cowell said. "When people fall over, I find that quite funny." Still, he said that sometimes his heart went out to contestants who didn't make it.

"I must admit, I watched the show last night and I felt bad at one point," he said of the auditions that didn't go very well.

Based on Cowell's current reputation, it's safe to say that he leaned into his "mean" role pretty well.

Danny Noriega was a former American Idol contestant who competed in the show's seventh season. They did so well that they were placed in the semi-finals. During the competition, Simon Cowell referred to one of Noriega's performances as "grotesque." The remark brought Noriega to tears and was just one example of something Lambert saw as a recurring issue on the show.

"Up until my season, anytime someone came on the show that was perceived to be gay or it was obvious enough that they were gay, they were a joke; They were made fun of," Adam Lambert said in an interview with NME. "Simon would make fun of them."

During his audition, Lambert sang Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." The performance was cut off by Cowell simply saying, "Okay." Paula Abdul told Lambert he was a "great singer."

Cowell, on the other hand, wasn't so impressed. "I'm going to give you my opinion for what it's worth," he began. "I think you are... theatrical." Cowell didn't mean it as a compliment.

During Lambert's run in the season, Cowell warmed up to Lambert.

"Over the entire season, you’ve been one of the best, most original contestants we’ve ever had on the show," Cowell told Lambert during the season finale. "The hope and whole idea of a show like this is to find a worldwide star, and I truly believe we’ve found that in you."

Lambert also said that the two are on much better terms today.

"I did the finale the year before last, and it was the first time I had seen him in 10 years. He was sweet. He said, 'Good to see you — good job,'" he said. "He sort of wised up on that angle and he realized quickly that is not acceptable anymore."

Sofia Vergara Has Already Had Quite A Few Memorable Moments As A Judge

Believe it or not, it isn't just Cowell who is delivering memorable moments as a judge.

After Vergara returned to AGT, she walked off a segment during an episode last year when fellow judge Howie Mandel joked about her newly single status.

• The moment came during a promotional spot for the show's sponsor, Sonic. Vergara was taking a lie detector test while sitting atop a throne of fake giant tatter tots.
• She was accused of lying when she reluctantly said "yes" when asked if fellow judge Simon Cowell was "just like a sweet little puppy dog."
• However, Vergara was said to have been telling the truth when she said she preferred working on AGT over Modern Family.

Mandel then asked Vergara, "Do you see anybody in the audience tonight that you're interested in?"

This was something Vergara tried to take in stride at first. However, after the audience loudly cheered the question, she removed the lie detector cuff and returned to the judges' table.

"That's it," Vergara said. Host Terry Crews said, "I think she is done."

Mandel had previously joked about Vergara's love life when he told a contestant, "If you're looking for eligible bachelors, you should've talked to Sofía because she's in the market right now."

After catching some heat for his comments, Mandel clarified things to Extra.

"People were online saying, 'Too soon.' I think as soon as you're available, it's never too soon," he said. "She's fresh, people. People thought that was mean and insensitive. If you watched Sofía, she screamed after she came over to me and thought it was funny. She said, 'Yes,' so she's got a great sense of humor and I wouldn't do anything to hurt a fellow—a friend first, and a fellow co-worker."

Mandel continued, "I think everybody watching who is available believes they're the perfect match for Sofía. I don't think, Sofía, to be honest… she doesn't need my help. She really doesn't. I believe that she'll be fending them off. I mean, she is a great friend, a brilliant person, businessperson, a powerhouse, an amazing sense of humor. She checks every box, so whoever ends up with Sofía is going to be really, really lucky."

Vergara was introduced as a judge on America’s Got Talent in 2020 during the show’s 15th season. According to Forbes, Vergara received an impressive $10 million per season. Vergara was rumored to have made $400K per episode for a 25-episode season. Vergara's time on America's Got Talent has now spanned five seasons, including her latest run in season 19.

Vergara has reportedly earned around $40 million from America’s Got Talent so far. It is said to offer a sizable contribution to her estimated net worth of $180 million.

America's Got Talent

TV-PG

Reality

Release Date

June 21, 2006

Main Genre

Reality

Creator(s)

Ken Warwick

Cast

Regis Philbin , Jerry Springer , Nick Cannon , Tyra Banks , Terry Crews , Piers Morgan , David Hasselhoff , Brandy Norwood , Sharon Osbourne , Howie Mandel , Howard Stern , Mel B , heidi klum , Simon Cowell , Julianne Hough , Gabrielle Union , Sofia Vergara

Seasons

18