Mel B Says She Was ‘Fired’ From ‘America’s Got Talent’ Before Returning For 20th Anniversary Season

Mel B is speaking on why she stepped away from America’s Got Talent… and why she’s back.

via: People

The Spice Girls alum stopped by the Today show on Wednesday, May 14, alongside her fellow judge Howie Mandel and host Terry Crews, and she told Craig Melvin the real reason for her 2019 departure from the show.

"I got kind of laid off and fired," she said with a laugh. "But yeah, I’m back now."

When Melvin asked what brought her back to the show, just in time for its 20th anniversary, she said, "I mean, why not? It was perfect timing."

Mandel, 69, then jumped in and quipped that she'd returned because "she gets to work with me." But on a serious note, Mel B told him and Crews that they were part of her thought process about the return. "You know, I thought, well, I love working with you guys."

"I love working with you," Mandel said, returning the compliment, while Crews, 56, said, "And we love you too, Mel."

Along with Mel B and Mandel, Simon Cowell and Sofía Vergara round out the judges' panel for the upcoming season, with the Spice Girls singer replacing Heidi Klum following her exit.

"I’m beyond thrilled to be back at AGT - not only is it the 20th anniversary of the show, but it’s also a real homecoming for me, and I couldn’t be happier or more excited to be back," Mel B told PEOPLE in an exclusive statement about her return.

"So fasten your seatbelts, everyone, because I’m here, and I’m going to stir things up and be my usual loud, proud, Scary Spice self. This season is going to be unmissable!"

Cowell, 65, who is also an executive producer of the series, told PEOPLE of the milestone season, “It’s brilliant that we can celebrate 20 years. It’s always been about the contestants and without them we wouldn’t have a show. This gives me a chance to thank everyone who’s ever auditioned.”

America's Got Talent season 20 premieres Tuesday, May 27 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.