Summer TV is officially here, and what better way to start off with than ‘America’s Got Talent’? HollywoodLife.com watched the Season 9 auditions and spoke with judges Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel who promise that this round is the best yet.

If Heidi Klum says that America’s Got Talent is better than ever before, we’ve got to believe her! Heidi and Howie are excited for the show’s return, which they say will see more talent, tons of changes and of course, that wacky judges panel. Keep reading for their interviews!

‘America’s Got Talent’ Returns For Season 9

America’s Got Talent is back! Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Howard Stern and Mel B round out the judges’ panel, and host Nick Cannon returns.

HollywoodLife.com was at the Season 9 auditions at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and we must say, we were super impressed!

A young singer stunned with a beautiful ballad and powerhouse voice, and a street dance troupe from Washington Square Park in NYC  showed off their breakdancing skills. Two college suite mates even took the stage to perform calculator tricks, while putting on a comedy standup show.

This year’s acts definitely seem to be more original than ever.

Heidi Klum & Howie Mandel Promise Season 9 Has Best Talent Ever

America’s Got Talent Season 9 will have the best crop of talent we’ve ever seen — according to Heidi Klum.

“Even better!” Heidi says about this season’s crop of talent. “I do think that people get inspired when they watch the show. I think people sit at home and they’re like, ‘I can do this better.’ I see that in a lot of the ballroom dancers we have this year. I feel like they hear our criticism from the last season where we say, ‘We want more! She has to fly through the air!'”

Fellow judge Howie Mandel agrees saying that the “level of talent” is better than ever and the “electricity and the performance of the people showing up” is off the charts.

He attributes the great talent to changes this season. “You’re going to see a new and different America’s Got Talent,” Howie told HollywoodLife.com.

Howie wouldn’t spill everything, but he did tell us that “this is a new, fresh season with a lot of rule changes.” Also, all auditions were held only in Los Angeles in New York City, rather than traveling throughout the country.

“The producers and talent coordinators are scouring the country and internet and bringing people to New York and to LA,” Howie said. “We are seeing first-time auditioners in iconic cities for entertainment on iconic stages.”

So how can contestants impress Howie and Heidi?

“To always keep us alert and interested, you shouldn’t do a cha cha for 90 seconds. Keep doing something different. Pile in a lot in those 90 seconds,” Heidi tells us. “I feel like people listened and they’re more inspired and they’ve done crazier things this year.”

We can’t wait! HollywoodLifers, are you excited for America’s Got Talent to return? Let us know!

– Elizabeth Wagmeister

Follow @EWagmeister

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