America’s Got Talent judge Howie Mandel looks unrecognizable as he sports new hairstyle after ditching his signature bald look

Fans were shocked at Howie Mandel after he looked unrecognizable while sporting a new haircut instead of his usual bald look.

The 67-year-old flaunted the floppy brown hairpiece as he announced in a short Instagram video: “Just a note. I’m taking a break from posting for this one day.”

And fans were quick to comment on the sudden transformation of the America’s Got Talent judge.

One person jokingly wrote, “Gorilla glue works wonders.”

Another fan exclaimed his tropical vibes, writing, “Maui Mandel.”

A third quipped, “I GET MY HAIR BACK PEOPLE.”

While some took a comedic approach, others were more focused on his message than his new look.

One person wrote, “Sometimes a break is needed. I hope you’re well.’

Another added, “Take your time,” with a heart emoji.

During his early career as an up and coming comedian in the ’80s, Howie always sported a full set of dark curly hair.

He first went bald in 2005 for his appearance on the TV game show Deal Or No Deal.

Just a year later, he first acknowledged his severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) on The Howard Stern Show.

He has had OCD since he was young, but he was not diagnosed until he was an adult in his 40s.

In an interview with ABC is 20/20Howie shared: “This [baldness] feels so streamlined and so clean.”

Howie has been open about his serious OCD struggles, specifically mysophobia, also known as germaphobia, as well as anxiety and depression.

The mix of the three makes him feel like he’s “living in a nightmare.”

His OCD made him feel uncomfortable doing small things like tying his shoelaces because they hit the ground. On some days when he shook hands with someone or touched something, he ended up in an “infinite obsessive-compulsive world,” according to CNN.

Howie’s hope for the future is that mental health becomes less of a stigma and that people can talk about it openly, just like they talk about visiting a doctor or dentist. He believes that ‘we take care of our dental health, but we don’t take care of our mental health’.

He has shared his journey of overcoming his mental obstacles in his memoir titled Here’s The Deal: Don’t Touch Me.

Howie has tried various “management and coping skills” and “cognitive therapy” and has found that over time it is easier to cope with his disorder.

His personal view is that only through “experimentation” and trial and error will you find what works for you and your journey with OCD.

Those aren’t the only consistent changes he’s made. Also, he never wears laced shoes and takes anti-anxiety meds for extra help.

His favorite emotional outlet is comedy.

My coping skill is finding the funny. If I don’t laugh, I cry. And I still haven’t been that open about how dark and ugly it really gets,” he said vulnerably People.

He said he believed his saving grace was comedy. Howie is “most comfortable onstage” and claims it’s “not good” when he “turns inward.”