Sofia Vergarais thrilled to start hernew jobon America’s Got Talent.
On Saturday, the actress — whose ABC hit seriesModern Familyis concluding in April after 11 seasons — toldExtrathat she is “super excited” to be joiningAGTseason 15’s judging panel besideSimon Cowell, Howie Mandel andHeidi Klum.
The mom of one added, “I think I am going to have a lot of fun. I’ve been watching the show for a long time, and it looks like the judges have so much fun — like the contestants.”
Vergara also expressed excitement to be judging alongside Cowell, who has been on the panel since 2016. “He’s super nice,” she said.
PEOPLE confirmed on Thursday that Vergara was joining the NBC competition series as the fourth judge for season 15.
“I’m so happy to join my new family onAGT. This is a new and exciting next chapter for me and I’m extremely proud to be the first Latin judge on the show. I can’t wait to watch all the talent and have fun with all you guys!” she said in a statement.
Klum will also be returning after a season hiatus. The model was on the second season ofAGT‘s spin-off show,America’s Got Talent: The Champions, whichpremiered on Jan. 6 and wrapped on Feb. 17, along with newcomer Alesha Dixon as well as Cowell and Mandel.
News of Vergara’s casting came after she had a meeting with the network on Dec. 18. During the discussion, the network and Vergara discussed a variety of projects, includingAGT, though NBC was actively talking to multiple talents about the vacant seats at the time. (TMZwas the first to report the news.)
Sofia Vergara.George Pimentel/WireImage
Vergara and Klum have filled the two vacant seats on theAGTjudges’ panel afterGabrielle UnionandJulianne Houghwere not asked to return following their one-season run.
In mid-November, PEOPLE confirmed that Union, 47, and Hough, 31, — who both joined season 14 in February, replacing Mel B and Klum — would not be returning for the 15th season.
Since then, Union continues to speak out about herAGTseason after she wasfired from the NBC competition seriesand alleged racial insensitivity on set.
America’s Got Talent.Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty
Union and Hough were both subjected to “excessive notes” on their physical appearance, according toVariety, which also reported that Union said she received a comment about her hairstyles being “too black” for the show.
In a statement to the publication at the time, Hough denied that she had a negative experience on the show and said she was “happy to continue my working relationship with NBC.”
RELATED VIDEO: Gabrielle Union Had ‘a Very Tough Week’ Amid ‘AGT’ Scandal but Is ‘Open to Continuing a Dialogue’
On Dec. 4, Union revealed she met with NBC andAGTproduction company Fremantle and Syco Entertainment.
“We had a lengthy 5-hour, and what I thought to be,productive meetingyesterday,” Union wrote on Twitter at the time. “I was able to again, express my unfiltered truth. I led with transparency and my desire and hope for real change.”
“The initial conversation was candid and productive,” an NBC spokesperson said in a statement to PEOPLE about their meeting with Union. “While there will be a further investigation to get a deeper understanding of the facts, we are working with Gabrielle to come to a positive resolution.”
source: people.com
