24 August 2023 , 17:44
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America's Got Talent judge Sofia Vergara gave a surprising reaction when fellow host Howie Mandel made a joke about her failed marriage to Joe Manganiello.
The AGT star made a jibe at Sofia, 51, during Tuesday's live show when a clip aired from a young ventriloquist's act where he asked Heidi Klum, 50, for her help in finding a "bachelor" for her puppet. Judging the act Howie, 67, joked: "If I have one word of advice. If you're looking for eligible bachelors, you should have talked to Sofia because she's in the market right now."
As the audience were taken aback, AGT presenter Terry Crews, 55, squealed: "No! No! We are not doing that." But seeing the funny side Sofia burst into laughter and flung her arms in the air shouting: "Yes!"
Sofia and Joe filed for divorce earlier this yearHowie then received an array of complaints online so decided to address the issue talking to ET. He said: "I was helping Sofia! I just thought, 'Oh my god. Using Heidi to find an eligible bachelor? Hello! Who's right here? Sofia is on the market, ready and eager!'
"And then online people said it was too soon and it was tasteless. It's not too soon! It's too soon when she's still married. Last season was too soon. Even if she saw it coming. I don't think she did. I'm just saying, that was too soon. As soon as she's free, as soon as they live in separate homes, the door is open, people!"
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He then explained Sofia's reaction further adding: "She came over and she thought it was funny. She [said it was] good [and said] how much she wants that. The only reason I'm doing press today is I'm just doubling down on it. I'm her Bumble. She approved of the joke. She thought it was funny. She posted afterwards. But the internet is mad."
Sofia has been enjoying single life since her split
The Modern Family star is a fan-favourite judge on AGT (Getty Images)Viewers took to X to take aim at Howie for his joke about Sofia's divorce. One wrote: "I can’t be the only one who thinks this episode of #AGT is weird as f**k right??? Howie threw that low blow at Sofia...
"The vibes are all off. It feels like the judges are pissed at each other and idk why lol." A second posted: "That was so messed up @howiemandel making fun of Sofia and it wasn't even funny!!!"
A third quipped: "Know your place, Howie. Thank you Terry for saving Sofia." Joe, 46, filed for divorce from Sofia last month, citing irreconcilable differences.