Alesha Dixon was recently revealed as the newest America’s Got Talent: The Champions Season 2 judge. Dixon is a pop star in the United Kingdom and was a well-respected judge on Britain’s Got Talent. She will judge alongside Heidi Klum, Simon Cowell, and Howie Mandel. As well as Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Terry Crews will return as the show’s host.
Dixon’s addition to the show was announced back in September by Shin Lim, who won America’s Got Talent: The Champions Season 1 and America’s Got Talent season 13, through a card trick. For those not familiar with Dixon’s body of work, she’s a singer and a former member of the influential girl group, Mis-Teeq. After she and her mates disbanded in 2006, Dixon was dropped from her record label, following disappointing sales of her first few solo singles. From there, she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, which is the UK counterpart to Dancing With the Stars. Dixon became a fan favorite and even earned a second recording contract as a result of the exposure she received on the show. Ever since her comeback in 2007, Dixon has been a mainstay on British television and its music charts. Shortly after competing on Strictly Come Dancing, she became a judge on the show in 2009. It’s been reported that Dixon increased her net worth by leaving her judging gig on the dance competition to become a critic on Britain’s Got Talent in 2012.
According to People, Dixon already has a proven working relationship with fellow judge and creator Simon Cowell, given her time on Britain’s Got Talent. However, there’s still no word on whether she’s encountered some of the issues that have plagued members of the American cast. In 2017, former AGT host Nick Canon left the show, citing NBC’s threats to his employment, following some culturally sensitive material he delivered in his stand-up comedy routine. In late 2018, replacement host Tyra Banks left the show, citing her desire to pursue other projects. Her stint with the program was marred by a lawsuit from a contestant who accused her of being physically and emotionally abusive.
Judges Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough were terminated in 2019 under suspicious circumstances as well. Given the unfavorable press that America’s Got Talent has received in recent years, it’s curious whether Dixon will be able to withstand the show’s high turnover rate and questionable treatment of its cast. Ever since the recent controversy surrounding America’s Got Talent and the firing of judges Union and Hough, news of Dixon’s addition to the cast is bittersweet. The singer and presenter has been graced with some wonderful career highs.
However, it’s also well-documented that she’s had some debilitating setbacks. America’s Got Talent: The Champions could be a star-making vehicle for her, or it could place her name on a growing list of celebrities who have fallen victim to the allure of the program. Based on talent alone, Dixon’s bright smile and winning personality will resonate with most demographics, provided that she stays on the right side of Simon Cowell’s cutthroat leadership. Sure, Americans might not know her so well now, but that’s likely to change when America’s Got Talent: The Champions Season 2 debuts in early 2020.
Next: Gabrielle Union & Queer Eye Star Recreate Bring It On Cheer for Game of Thrones Recap
Source: People
