American Idol’s inaugural winner Kelly Clarkson is helping out her old friend and former AI judge Simon Cowell.
Clarkson filed an “urgent memo” on Instagram Monday (Aug. 10) to announce she will be filling in for him during Tuesday and Wednesday’s live telecasts of America’s Got Talent, since Cowell had back surgery this weekend after getting into an electric bicycle accident Saturday afternoon (Aug. 8).
“My friend, Simon Cowell, is doing better now but was in an accident and won’t be able to make Tuesday and Wednesday’s live shows for AGT,” Clarkson wrote in a note posted to Instagram. “But no worries America, someone far wiser, cooler, and hotter is taking his seat! The unbelievably amazing Kelly Clarkson You’re welcome in advance!”
The Hollywood Reporter confirmed Cowell broke his back after test riding his electric bike in Malibu, Calif., while Entertainment Tonight reported the AGT judge underwent six hours of surgery overnight on Saturday and had a metal rod inserted in his back.
The Syco Entertainment record executive tweeted about his condition and some hard advice for electric trail bike users Sunday night (Aug. 9). “I have broken part of my back. Thank you to everyone for your kind messages. And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever met,” he wrote.
See Clarkson’s urgent memo below.
