Pakistan, Sept. 25 -- Simon Cowell is cheering on the America's Got Talent contestants from home. Though the executive producer had to miss the end of season 21 while recovering from back surgery, Cowell was still able to share his well wishes to the finalists through a message read by host Terry Crews during night one of the finale Sept. 22.

"Hello everyone, I wanted to wish all the finalists tonight the best of luck," Crews read. "I am so sad that I won't be there in person, but I will be watching from home."

The health update comes amid the American Idol alum's planned absence from several episodes this season, due to a routine operation following a 2020 biking accident that caused him to break multiple parts of his back.

Still, the...