Open auditions were held in late 2019, with closed auditions held across January to March the following year. Prior to the main auditions taking place, replacements were made for
Julianne Hough and
Gabrielle Union, who had been let go following the conclusion of the previous season. On February 27, 2020, it was announced that
Heidi Klum would return as judge, in addition to newcomer
Sofía Vergara. The season was impacted
as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected television and film shoots across the globe. Although it had been partially disrupted by Klum falling ill, leading to
Eric Stonestreet standing in for her during an audition session, restrictions imposed by the United States to combat the spread of COVID-19 caused the program to initially move to filming without an audience present at auditions (before production was ultimately suspended). Additional auditions were later allowed, but these had to be conducted online as a safety precaution. By April 27, the season would broadcast as planned and premiere on May 26, with the season featuring a hiatus after the audition episodes had been aired with the footage that had already been filmed. In mid-June, production of the season resumed following changes in guidelines for media production by Californian state government, and discussions between industry unions, producers and local officials. While the Judges Cuts stage was held at an outdoor venue in
Simi Valley, California, it required implementing several health and safety protocols including: performances conducted via videoconferencing on a
cinema screen, masks being mandatory for all personnel when off-camera, enforced
social distancing and regular
testing of staff. The format was also changed with the number of participants for this stage reduced from seventy-two to sixty. No guest judges or Golden Buzzers were involved, and each participant were given a verdict after their performance. This included an expansion in the number of quarter-finalists for the season, an additional quarter-final, and a change to the number of semi-finalists that each quarter-final had. Prior to the first quarter-final's live broadcast, Cowell had an accident that left him with a severe back injury. • This participant initially pulled out from the contest for health reasons before the quarter-finals, but later returned as a Wildcard act for the semi-finals after being given the all clear by producers.
Quarter-finals summary : Buzzed Out | Judges' choice | : | |
Quarter-final 1 (August 11) Guest Performers, Results Show:
Mat Franco and
Kodi Lee •
Kelly Clarkson filled in for Simon Cowell while he recovered from a back injury sustained prior to August 11.
Quarter-final 2 (August 18) Guest Performers, Results Show:
Darci Lynne and
Jabbawockeez •
Kenan Thompson filled in for Simon Cowell while he continued to recover from a back injury sustained prior to August 11.
Quarter-final 3 (August 25) Guest Performer, Results Show:
Jon Dorenbos • Dance Town Family were later brought back as a Wildcard act for the Semi-finals.
Quarter-final 4 (September 1) Guest Performers, Results Show:
Cam and Duo Transcend
Semi-finals summary : Buzzed Out | Judges' choice | : | |
Semi-final 1 (September 8) Guest Performers, Results Show:
Piff the Magic Dragon,
David Copperfield, and Ndlovu Youth Choir
Semi-final 2 (September 15) Guest Performers, Results Show:
BTS and
Colin Cloud • Due to the majority vote for BAD Salsa, Klum's voting intention was not revealed.
Finals (September 22–23) Guest Performers, Finale:
David Dobrik, Detroit Youth Choir,
Meghan Markle, and
Usher : | | | • Alan Silva and Bello Sisters conducted a joint routine for their second performance, and thus shared the same guest performers. • Kenadi Dodds and Roberta Battaglia conducted a joint routine for their second performance, and thus shared the same guest performers. ==Ratings==