While America's Got Talent – one of few reality competition shows with a $1 million prize - has been on the air now for 16 seasons, it has already had 12 judges sit on the panel in a full-time capacity. It started with David Hasselhoff, Brandy Norwood, and Piers Morgan, and the judging panel now includes Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Sofia Vergara. Mandel is the longest-running current judge having taken over the post from Hasselhoff way back in season 5, while Vergara is the newest addition to the judge's table.
But there have been plenty of other judges in between, some of which have pretty great social media game.
David Hasselhoff: 300,000 Followers
"The Hoff," as he is affectionately known by fans, rose to fame from the series Knight Rider and then Baywatch, and had a burgeoning music career that took off in some European countries. He has had comebacks here and there, including judging the first four seasons of AGT. But for now, Hasselhoff isn't often in the spotlight.
Thus, it's no surprise that he has the fewest number of followers of all judges, past and present. His account promotes his new music album, "Party Your Hasselhoff" and features lots of photos of "The Hoff" out and about doing fun and adventurous things, including celebrating his 69th birthday back in July 2021.
Howard Stern – 920,000 Followers
The Shock Jock himself might have a huge following in the radio world, but while he decided to evolve with the times and switch to satellite radio, Stern apparently still isn't really into social media.
In fact, the account that is just shy of a million followers is actually an official one for The Howard Stern Show, as Stern himself doesn't have a personal Instagram account. Stern was a judge on America's Got Talent from seasons 7 through 10.
Howie Mandel – 1 Million Followers
Mandel is often seen chatting with Heidi Klum about her social media accounts and updating his when America's Got Talent returns from a commercial break. He is often seen learning things from Klum and looking on in bewilderment at how many followers Klum has.
Mandel is pretty active on Instagram himself, with 2,800+ posts, mostly of funny images and updates that show off his playful and witty personality – like him screaming loudly beside a Dolby Theatre sign that urges "quiet please." In his bio, Mandel also promotes his new podcast.
Sharon Osbourne – 1 Million Followers
Another outspoken former judge, Osbourne was a fan favorite when she was a judge for both her brutal honesty and her compassion. With about 1,500 posts to date, Osbourne posts a mix of things, from promotional images to selfies, fun photos of her dog, dog-related memes, and more.
There are plenty of photos of her husband Ozzy Osbourne, of her kids, and more. Osbourne, whose reality show about her family was one of the earliest reality TV shows of its kind, was a judge on the show from seasons 2 to 7.
Melanie Brown – 1.5 Million Followers
The Spice Girl, who was a judge from seasons 8 to 13, refers to herself as "Scary Spice" on her account, promoting her book and audiobook in her bio. With 2,800+ posts to date, there are plenty of Spice Girls throwback posts as well as a lot of family photos and videos.
Every few posts, Brown also posts an inspirational quote of some kind, or sometimes funny ones, too.
Piers Morgan – 1.7 Million Followers
A controversial figure, Morgan is never afraid to tell it like it is, as was the case when he was a judge on AGT from seasons 1 through 6 (he was also a judge on Britain's Got Talent, where he saw the first four winners crowned. So, it isn't surprising that he ranks among the top former judges when it comes to social media.
With more than 3,000 posts to date, however, Morgan has an impressive 1.7 million followers. He posts mostly personal photos and selfies while promoting his appearances and opinions on a variety of subjects.
Simon Cowell – 1.7 Million Followers
As principal, founder, and chief executive of Syco, the company behind America's Got Talent, Cowell came in as a judge in season 11 following the departure of Stern. It was apparent it would have to be a huge figure to fill the shoes of Stern, who had originally taken over for Morgan, and Cowell was the perfect fit. He was already familiar to American audiences for judging (and heading up) other competition shows, like American Idol, where he was known for his savage quotes, as well as the American version of The X-Factor.
Despite having 1.7 million followers, Cowell has only posted 66 times. It's mostly promotional images for America's Got Talent, but keep an eye out for some great black and white portraits of his dog, too.
Julianne Hough – 4.9 Million Followers
Hough just cracks the top five of past and present judges when it comes to Instagram followers. She's very active, approaching 4,000 posts to date, but she unusually only follows three people.
The professional dancer's bio promotes her various businesses and includes tons of personal and self-photos. Hough was a judge for just season 14.
Brandy Norwood – 5 Million Followers
A big name in the '90s for her music as well as acting in series like Moesha, Norwood has a healthy 5 million followers despite having only posted 265 times. In her bio, she promotes the upcoming series Queens on ABC, in which she will star.
Her photos and videos run the gamut, from current images to throwbacks of her heyday in the '90s.
Heidi Klum – 8.3 Million Followers
Klum is very active on social media, so it's no surprise that she is in the top three when it comes to social media followers. She has posted 5,300+ times with everything from red carpet photos to funny selfies, personal photos, beach and bikini photos, and more.
Interestingly, Klum, who was a judge from seasons 8 to 13 and then returned again for season 15 to present, does not promote anything in her bio. But her photos are full of fashionable outfits and stunning looks.
Gabrielle Union – 18.6 Million Followers
A judge for only one season at the same time as Hough, this superstar is best known for her role in the 1999 movie 10 Things I Hate About You, one of Union's best-rated films. She is fairly active on Instagram with 3,900+ posts.
Referring to herself in the bio as a "lover of fun, hope haver & believer of miracles," Union posts lots of family photos with her husband Dwyane Wade, as well as plenty of selfies.
Sofia Vergara – 22.8 Million Followers
The most recent addition to the judging panel for seasons 15 and 16, Vergara has by far the most followers of any judge, past and present from the show. At the time of this writing, which was right around the much-publicized television special Stand Up to Cancer, Vergara used her bio to promote the cause, but her account is full of all kinds of photos.
Find images of her time on Modern Family, personal family photos, fun behind-the-scenes photos from AGT, and more. There's plenty of fashion to see on her account, as well.