Sofia Vergara, the beloved judge on America’s Got Talent, recently found herself in the spotlight when Howie Mandel made a joke about her relationship status. As a single woman for the first time in nearly a decade, Vergara was put on the spot during a lie-detector test on the show. Mandel asked if there was anyone in the audience that she might be interested in. However, instead of answering, Vergara decided to walk back to her seat, disappointing both the audience and Mandel. It’s not the first time Mandel has made a joke about Vergara’s singleness, and this incident has sparked online backlash towards him.
Howie Mandel’s Joke Sparks Controversy
Just a few weeks ago, Mandel made a similar remark when a young contestant on the show was looking for an eligible bachelor for her puppet. He jokingly suggested that she should have talked to Sofia, mentioning that she is currently single and available. While Vergara seemed to laugh at the joke, her fans online did not take it well. The backlash was so strong that Mandel felt the need to address it in an interview with Extra.
Howie Mandel’s Response
In his interview, Mandel defended himself by stating that he didn’t believe the joke was “too soon” and emphasized that Vergara herself found it funny. He reassured everyone that he would never intentionally hurt a friend and fellow co-worker. Despite his explanation, Mandel’s joke has left a sour taste in the mouths of many.
On July 17, Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello announced their separation, marking the end of their 7-year marriage. Just two days after the announcement, Joe filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences,” a common reason given by celebrities. While the specifics of their divorce remain private, the couple released a joint statement expressing that it was a mutual decision. They also requested privacy during this challenging time.
Conflicting Desires and Speculations
Rumors suggest that the couple had a prenuptial agreement in place, and speculation points to Joe’s desire to have children as a possible reason for the divorce. It seems that conflicting ambitions regarding starting a family created a rift between them. Sofia Vergara, who already has one child from a previous relationship, celebrated her 51st birthday shortly before the announcement of their separation.
