Former Spice Girl Mel B to Join NBC's AMERICA'S GOT TALENT

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NBC announced today that versatile entertainer and former Spice Girl Melanie Brown (or "Mel B") will join the network's top-rated summer series AMERICA'S GOT TALENT as a judge, and will take her place alongside fellow judges Howie Mandel and Howard Stern beginning this summer.

The outstanding contestants from the Season 8 open-casting auditions will be invited back to perform in front of Mandel, Stern and Mel B in five cities across the country, with the Top 48 Acts moving on to compete during this summer's live shows and vie for the coveted $1 million grand prize. Submissions are still being accepted online at www.agtauditions.com

The announcements were made by Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC.

"This exciting addition of the dynamic Mel B to our lineup of judges promises that fans will see a strong, talented and opinionated woman match up against our equally outspoken judges Howard Stern and Howie Mandel," said Telegdy. "Her presence has powder-keg potential for lots of fireworks this summer as the #1-rated AMERICA'S GOT TALENT will return with even bigger and more exotic acts than any year before."

"I'm thrilled to be part of this season of AMERICA'S GOT TALENT and to get to work with Howie and Howard," said Mel B. "It's so exciting to be bringing some Girl Power to the panel!"

Executive producer Sam Donnelly said, "We are ecstatic to add chart-topping musical star Mel B to the judging panel. Mel's experience in music, dance and acting will certainly come in handy as she judges and advises some of the best and most unique acts in the world that will be coming her way this season on AMERICA'S GOT TALENT." Added executive producer Jason Raff: "Mel B is an international superstar and we're thrilled to welcome her to AGT Season 8 - we know she'll definitely add some 'spice' to our panel."

Brown, best known to audiences as Mel B of the Spice Girls, is a chart-topping musical artist, actress, author, television personality and groundbreaking entrepreneur.

Mel B just returned from Australia where she appeared on the record breaking show "The X Factor" for two seasons as one of the four judges and was co-host of one season of the Australian version of DANCING WITH THE STARS.

In 2010, along with her husband and children, she also starred in a reality series for The Style Network called MEL B: IT'S A SCARY WORLD, which let viewers get to know the family and see how Mel manages a multi-faceted career, raises her family and still finds time for her husband. Mel as also appeared as the volcanic personality and red-hot presence driving PEEP SHOW, the sensual, sophisticated and sly spectacle redefining Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino and was on Season 5 of the ABC hit series DANCING WITH THE STARS, where she came in second place with her partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy. On Broadway, she headlined as Mimi in a major production of RENT and appeared in a presentation of THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES.

Mel B's brash persona was at the core of the Spice Girl's global success, racking up worldwide record sales of $55 million, a Guinness Book of World Records status for "Most No. 1 Entries in the U.K. Charts" and "Most Consecutive No. 1's for a New Act." The group's enduring popularity brought about one of the most successful concert tours of 2007-08 with the reunion trek grossing more than $70 million. In 2012, the Spice Girls reunited for a performance at the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony and for the premiere of VIVA FOREVER: THE MUSICAL. Based on the songs of the Spice Girls, the musical, written by Jennifer Saunders and produced by Judy Cramer, is currently playing in the West End at the Piccadilly Theater.

The VTR auditions for new contestants begin in New Orleans (March 4 - March 5) at the Lakefront Arena before a move to San Antonio (March 20 - March 21) at the Lila Cockrell Theater. The auditions continue in New York City (April 8 - April 10) at the Hammerstein and then re-locate to Los Angeles (April 24 - April 26) at the Pantages Theater before concluding in Chicago (May 8 - May 10) at the Akoo Theater. For taping times and ticket information visit, www.nbc.com/agt.

AMERICA'S GOT TALENT, NBC's top rated summer series from producers Simon Cowell's SYCO Television and FremantleMedia North America and returns this summer with the hottest performers from across the country ready to compete in the blockbuster reality show's eighth season. The live shows again will originate from the New York Tri-State area this summer. This year, the high-octane entertainer and former Spice Girl Mel B joins the experienced and talented judge dais along with the outspoken, unedited radio personality, television host and author Howard Stern and comedian, TV host and producer Howie Mandel. Actor, producer and comedian Nick Cannon returns as host.

With the talent search open to acts of all ages, AMERICA'S GOT TALENT has brought the variety format back to the forefront of American culture by showcasing performers from across the country. The series is a true celebration of the American spirit, featuring a colorful array of hopeful stars, including singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists, jugglers, magicians and ventriloquists, all vying for their chance to strut and perform on stage hoping to win America's hearts -- and the $1 million prize.

AMERICA'S GOT TALENT is produced by Simon Cowell's SYCO Television and FremantleMedia North America. Simon Cowell, Jason Raff, Sam Donnelly, Trish Kinane and Rob Wade are the executive producers.