Sofia Vergara, the beloved judge on America’s Got Talent, has recently found herself at the center of a joke made by Howie Mandel. This incident has sparked online backlash, especially among Sofia’s fans, as this is not the first time Mandel has made a joke about her singleness.

Howie Mandel’s Joke Misses the Mark

During a lie-detector test on the show, Mandel asked Sofia if there was anyone in the audience that she’s interested in. This question was in reference to the fact that she is now single for the first time in nearly a decade. Unfortunately, Sofia refused to answer the question and walked back to her seat, leaving the audience and Mandel disappointed.

Just a few weeks ago, Mandel made a similar joke when a young contestant on the show was looking for an eligible bachelor for her puppet. Mandel suggested that she should have talked to Sofia, as she is currently single and available. While Sofia seemed to laugh at the joke, her online fans did not take it well.

Mandel’s Defense and Sofia’s Reaction

In response to the backlash, Mandel defended himself in an interview with Extra. He stated that he didn’t think the joke was “too soon” and mentioned that Sofia herself found it funny. Mandel emphasized that he wouldn’t do anything to hurt a friend and fellow co-worker.

The End of Sofia Vergara’s Marriage

Sofia Vergara’s recent singleness is a result of her separation from Joe Manganiello. The couple announced their separation on July 17, with Joe filing for divorce just two days later, citing “irreconcilable differences.” While the details of their divorce remain private, the couple released a joint statement expressing that it was a mutual decision.

“We have made the difficult decision to divorce,” they stated on July 17, listing the separation date as July 2. They also requested privacy during this transition phase in their lives. It has been reported that the couple had a prenuptial agreement in place.

However, speculation suggests that Joe wanted a divorce because Sofia did not want to have children. This conflicting desire regarding starting a family could have caused a rift between the couple. Sofia, who already has one child from a previous relationship, celebrated her 51st birthday shortly before the announcement of their separation.