KSI news
The gist
NBC named KSI guest judge for the two-night AGT Season 21 finale, replacing Simon Cowell.
Cowell's back-surgery absence leaves the show's biggest seat to a YouTube-born star.
How it unfolded
- Aug 2026Simon Cowell steps away from AGT for a procedure related to ongoing back issues; his empty chair is first addressed on the August 25 live show.
- Sep 19, 2026British-Ghanaian rap artist Sway DaSafo dies at 44; KSI leads tributes.
- Sep 22, 2026NBC announces KSI will fill Simon Cowell's seat at the judges' table for the two-night AGT Season 21 finale, joining Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Mel B.