Mel B Stormed Off the “America’s Got Talent” Stage After Simon Cowell’s Comment About Her Wedding Night
When live TV goes to air, anything can happen. Last night’s live America’s Got Talent was no exception — anything that could go wrong did. When a mechanical issue caused yet another mishap during the live taping, Simon Cowell made an insensitive comment to co-judge Melanie Brown (AKA Mel B), causing her to storm off stage (but not before throwing a cup of water in his face).
On any other night, this would be the craziest thing to happen on #AGT. pic.twitter.com/toWPVW65Sx
— America's Got Talent (@AGT) August 23, 2017
During a performance by semi-finalist and escape artist Demian Aditya, a mechanical failure prevented Aditya from completing his stunt as planned. When host Tyra Banks explained what had happened and asked Cowell what he thought, the former American Idol judge said, “I kind of imagine this would be like Brown’s wedding night — a lot of anticipation, not much promise or delivery.”
Brown — who is going through a very contentious divorce from her husband of nearly a decade, Stephen Belafonte — didn’t appreciate the remark and showed it by throwing water on her boss and storming off stage.
While the pair have always butted heads during AGT tapings, this was a pretty rude attack on Brown. And though she eventually came back, the other stars of the show had their own takes on the night’s events, which they shared with the Associated Press.
Judge Howie Mandel brushed off Cowell’s comments, saying, “I think Simon is the king of analogies, and his analogy was, something going horribly wrong reminded him of Mel’s wedding night, and if you’ve read anything lately, it has not gone the best. That wasn’t live TV, that’s just life.”
Heidi Klum, however, sided with Brown, telling the AP, “Well, when Simon opens his mouth, and he is not the kindest… you know, what comes out of his mouth, especially to Mel B, she will not like that, and he will get wet.”
Banks chalked it up to the pair’s familiarity: “They’re like brother and sister that tease each other, but like brother and sister that also get really pissed too.”
For her part, Brown said simply, “Well, what else can you do? I’m not going to sit there and listen to what else he’s got to say. Even though he’s my boss, I’m the boss!”
How have you dealt with rude comments at work? Tell us @BritandCo!
(Photos via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty + Mike Windle/Getty)