Sweet Revenge and Laughter: The Prank War on America’s Got Talent

There’s something undeniably magical about the chemistry among judges on talent shows, and nowhere is this more evident than on “America’s Got Talent” (AGT). Add to this mix a playful sense of mischief and you have the perfect recipe for legendary TV moments—the kind that transcend competition and provide laughter for millions. Such was the case in an epic prank war between Simon Cowell and Sofia Vergara, culminating in a hysterical—and viral—moment involving grotesque busts and sweet Colombian revenge.

The Spark: A Prank Ignites a Fire

The saga all began, as many Hollywood stories do, with a little mischief. Simon Cowell, never one to shy away from a cheeky prank, orchestrated a setup where it appeared Sofia Vergara was to blame for an innocent on-set faux pas. As Sofia recounts with a wry smile, “as everybody saw, Simon pretending that I was the one who did it… when I realized he was pranking me, I just got pissed off. You know, in Colombia, we take revenge.”

It didn’t take long for Sofia to plot her own payback. And what better way to get even than to bamboozle the king of pranks himself with a taste of his own medicine?

The Masterplan: Sculpting Humiliation

The opportunity for revenge would come in Las Vegas, as the AGT crew prepared for a special lobby art installation at the MGM Luxor, timed with the upcoming AGT show residency. The event, pitched as an unveiling of hand-made busts honoring the judges—Simon, Sofia, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and host Terry Crews—had all the hallmarks of red-carpet gravitas. “We are extremely excited to announce that behind this curtain is a very special art installation dedicated to the hosts and judges of AGT,” a professional actress (hired by Sofia) announced as Simon was asked to cut the ceremonial ribbon.

Behind the glamour, Sofia was covertly collaborating with a sculptor to ensure that while her own, Heidi’s, Howie’s, and Terry’s busts would be flattering and lifelike, Simon’s was to be nothing short of comically horrific. “The hair—yeah, go higher, higher, higher,” Sofia urged the artist. “Those wrinkles under his eyes? Deeper. Enhance them.” The result was a head-turner for all the wrong reasons: a grotesque Simon with exaggerated features, more reminiscent of a Halloween haunted house prop than a piece of Vegas luxury art.

The Reveal: Laughter and Jaws on the Floor

The day of the unveiling was a masterclass in comedic suspense. A nervous yet excited Sofia watched as Simon, scissors in hand, cut the ribbon to the anticipation of cameras and gasps from the crowd. The curtain dropped, revealing all five busts—and one abomination among them.

While the other judges enthusiastically admired their statues (“I love mine—it’s great, it looks just like us!”), Simon’s reaction was one for the AGT history books. He was, to put it mildly, mortified. “This is honestly the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” he finally declared, staring at a plasticky visage that managed to exaggerate every insecurity he’d ever joked about on air. “That’s not going in lobby of the Luxor. How much did this cost? You don’t want to know!”

The laughter from the rest of the cast was infectious, with Heidi, Howie, and Terry all playing along in mock seriousness. Sofia, meanwhile, struggled to contain her glee, savoring the delicious moment she had orchestrated.

The Aftermath: All’s Fair in Pranks and Talent Shows

As the prank played out, Sofia seized the microphone with tongue firmly in cheek: “We all know that Simon Cowell is really rude, and what he just did in front of everybody—we’re not surprised. But you know what? At the end of the day, that’s what he gets for messing with Colombia!”

The camaraderie—and the pranks—are a testament to the unique chemistry that makes AGT such a hit. For all his bluster and bravado, even Simon had to admit the humor of the situation. “I hate you,” he playfully quipped to Sofia on live mic, eliciting roars of laughter both in the room and online. But there was the twinkle of respect too. When Sofia was later asked if the revenge had been sweet, she replied, “No, it wasn’t just sweet. It was delicious.”

Terry Crews bowed out of potential future mischief with a grin: “I’m never going to prank Sofia… Leave me out of this!” Howie Mandel agreed, waving off any ideas of keeping the prank war alive. For her part, Sofia seemed delighted to have leveled the playing field—at least for now.

Pranks with Heart: Why These Moments Matter

Underneath the laughter, the prank war reflects something deeper—friendship, mutual respect, and the ability not to take oneself too seriously, even on one of the world’s biggest talent stages. It’s this energy that endears the AGT cast to millions. Viewers don’t just watch for the talent, they tune in for these unscripted moments of humanity, where stars show vulnerability, humor, and heart.

This prank—like Simon’s before it—is more than just a practical joke. It’s a shared experience, a sign that even in the ultra-competitive world of television, kindness, laughter, and a little good-natured rivalry can produce moments that become part of pop culture lore.

As the AGT cast moves on—still plotting, still laughing, still surprising each other—one thing is certain: in the world of talent, a little mischief goes a long way.

And for Simon, the lesson is clear: never, ever prank a Colombian. At least, not unless you’re ready for some delicious revenge.