In a shocking and unforgettable moment on America’s Got Talent, Simon Cowell did not hold back his brutal honesty as he called one performance “the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen in the history of Got Talent.”
The performance, which left both the judges and the audience in utter disbelief, sparked an emotional reaction from Simon, unlike anything seen before on the show.
The act began innocently enough with a performer taking the stage with a confident demeanor. However, it didn’t take long for things to take a turn for the worse.
The performer, a self-proclaimed “shock artist,” explained that their act was a mix of bizarre stunts and “extreme performance art” designed to leave a lasting impression.
What followed was not only unexpected but completely revolting to the point that it had Simon and the rest of the judges visibly recoiling in discomfort.
The performer’s first move involved swallowing large amounts of an unknown substance, followed by a series of contorted, grotesque actions that made the audience squirm.
As the act progressed, the performer began to perform unsettling tricks, including spitting out strange liquids, rubbing what looked like a mixture of food and some sort of gel-like substance into their face, and—most shockingly—performing what appeared to be some kind of painful self-inflicted wound.
The audience was on edge, unsure of whether this was part of the performance or something that had gone terribly wrong.
Simon, clearly disturbed by the act, tried to keep his composure but struggled to mask his disgust. “I’m sorry, but this is absolutely revolting,” Simon said, his voice filled with genuine horror.
“This is not art; this is just vile. I’ve seen a lot of things on Got Talent, but this? This is the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen in the history of this show. And I’ve been doing this for over a decade.”
The other judges, too, were visibly uncomfortable. Howie Mandel, who is known for his humor and lightheartedness, couldn’t hide his distaste. “I don’t know what I just watched, but it’s definitely not something I ever want to see again,” Howie said, his face scrunched in disbelief.
Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara shared similar sentiments. Heidi, visibly repulsed, said, “I appreciate performance art, but this crossed the line. I don’t know what the point was, but it didn’t feel like entertainment—it just felt wrong.” Sofia added, “I’m speechless.
I didn’t know whether to look away or to keep watching because I was so shocked. That’s not what America’s Got Talent is about.”
As the act came to an end, the performer stood on stage, seemingly proud of the chaos they had just caused. Simon, shaking his head, didn’t mince words. “I’m sorry, but that’s a no from me. It wasn’t a performance; it was an assault on the senses. Please don’t ever do that again.”
The audience, still trying to process the disturbing performance, responded with an awkward mix of applause and stunned silence. The performer’s face fell, clearly unprepared for the backlash they received.
But it was clear from the judges’ reactions that this act had gone too far for America’s Got Talent.
While AGT is known for its variety of performances—from heartwarming acts to mind-blowing talent—this particular moment took things to an entirely new level of discomfort.
In the end, Simon’s words summed it up perfectly: “This is America’s Got Talent, and this was not talent. It was disgusting.”
