America’s Got Talent continues to roll out their guest judges, this time unveiling former host of The Tonight Show, Jay Leno.
Leno put on his critiquing cap alongside America’s Got Talent mainstays, Simon Cowell, Julianna Hough, Gabrielle Union and Howie Mandel.
Videos by PopCulture.com
NBC released a video prior to the show with an interview of the longtime late-night television host.
“I think I was a fair judge,” Leno said of his appearance on the show. “I know how hard people work and I never wanted to be cruel or mean. I think I found the good points in everybody — it’s just some were better than others.”
The host of America’s Got Talent, Terry Crews, also appeared in the video. He gave his expectations of Leno as a host, explaining how he believes “he will tell the truth.”
“He really has no reason to hold back anything,” Cruise added.”We are going to see ‘gangsta Jay’ on this one.”
Union noted that she believed Leno’s experience in the industry will lend itself to him being a fair judge while Mandel explained that, “he knows talent… he has traveled the world, he has seen it all, who better to judge then Jay?”
Fans of the show were loving the appearance of Leno on the competition show. They especially appreciated who he gave the Golden Buzzer to, which is a designation that sends the recipient straight to the live shows.
Leno was blown away by 10-year-old Emanna Beasha, who sang opera and got the judges giddy over her powerful voice.
One user remarked on Twitter, “Stole everyone’s [heart]. I had chills, sign of an amazing future for her. Then Jay brought water to my eyes and a smile. Take good care of her Simon. She is genuine.”
Another comment on Twitter was short and sweet after her performance, “Thank you Jay Leno.”
As for what’s next for Leno’s Golden Buzzer choice, Beasha will await her turn on the live shows. That will be where the competition heats up as the contestants battle it out to win over the judge’s votes as well as the public’s votes.
Previous guest judges on the show included former NBA superstar, Dwayne Wade, country superstar Brad Paisley and actress Ellie Kemper, who appeared on The Office and starred in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
America’s Got Talent premiered on June 21, 2006.
Most Viewed
-
(Photo by Ben Curtis – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images) -
A ring of vibrant marigold flowers with glowing candles at the center, set against a dark background. (Credit: Eduardo Monroy Husillos / Getty Images) -
US singer Miley Cyrus attends the 97th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 2, 2025. (Photo by Angeka Weiss/AFP via Getty Images) -
Antique TV set with color bars, on black background. 3D rendering -
Pictured: (l-r) Josh McDermitt, Bryan Greenberg, Lex Scott Davis, Stephen Amell — (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC) -
NEW YORK CITY – DECEMBER 19: "Toil and Trouble" – Elsbeth is thrown into the world of television after the showrunner of a long-running police procedural is brutally murdered in his office, and although it appears to be the act of a disgruntled fan, she begins to suspect the show's longtime star Regina Coburn (Laurie Metcalf) who yearns for artistic fulfillment. Meanwhile, Judge Crawford (Michael Emerson) continues to be a thorn in Elsbeth's side, on the CBS original series ELSBETH, Thursday, Dec. 19 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs). Pictured (L-R): Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni and Carra Patterson as Kaya Blanke. (Photo by Michael Parmelee/CBS via Getty Images)
