Monitor this situation.
Unsubscribe anytime.
[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [CULTURE]
11 clusters · 19 sources · 92 days · First seen · Last updated
America's Got Talent Season 21: Quarterfinals to Finale
Overview
Season 21 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent transitioned to live shows at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on August 18, 2026. Following the audition and callback rounds, 44 acts advanced to the quarterfinals. During this phase, the judges no longer possess the power to use wild cards or saves to prevent eliminations; instead, contestant fates are determined by viewer votes via TikTok, the official app, and NBC.com. During the second night of live quarterfinals on August 25, judge Simon Cowell was absent due to a routine medical procedure for a back injury. In his absence, Mel B, Sofia Vergara, and Howie Mandel handled judging duties. The episode featured a performance by LaRussell with a Bay Area choir and included a tribute to Dolly Parton following news of her passing. During this broadcast, Mel B utilized a Live Show Golden Buzzer to secure one performer a direct spot in the finals. In the third week of live quarterfinals, Kenan Thompson served as a guest judge to fill in for Cowell. Thompson was granted Golden Buzzer power, which allows an act to advance directly to the finals. Performances during this episode included aerialists Holland & Sienna and singer Isaac Atkins. The fourth week of quarterfinals concluded on September 8, 2026. Performances included magic from Young and Strange, country music from Warren Zeiders, and mentalism from Oz Pearlman. During the results segment, one act advanced directly to the finals via a Golden Buzzer. Viewer votes determined the remaining semifinalists: the magic act Young and Strange advanced over comedian Cameron Logsdon, and Cesar advanced over the duo Tyrone and Margo. Akira was eliminated following a matchup with Bird and Byron. On September 15, 2026, the semifinals featured twelve acts competing for a $1 million grand prize.
Entities
Sofia Vergara · Howie Mandel · Simon Cowell · NBC · Mel B
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Season 21 of America’s Got Talent aired on NBC on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The judges introduced a new Judges’ Callbacks round to give contestants a second chance before the live quarter‑finals.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Ten acts received Golden Buzzers during auditions and were automatically advanced to the live quarter‑finals.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Eighteen acts were unanimously selected to advance without a second audition.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Simon Cowell selected six acts—Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm, Akira, Elektro Dads, Travis Garland, Sando and Elsie—for the Callbacks round.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A total of 28 acts were confirmed for the live quarter‑finals.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Howie Mandel selected six acts—metal guitarist Nene Roy, variety duo Naimana & Daniele, stand‑up comedian Cris Sosa, impressionist Rynia Kando, comedian Daniel Alvarez and musical duo Bird & Byron—for
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Celebrity mentors Normani, Poo Bear, Lele Pons, Sebastián Yatra, Emma Bunton and Nikki Glaser were announced to advise contestants in the Callbacks.
Timeline
-
[CULTURE] 5 sourcesAmerica’s Got Talent Season 21 semifinals feature 12 acts
Twelve acts competed in the America’s Got Talent Season 21 semifinals on September 15, with viewers voting to determine which six contestants advance to the finale for a $1 million prize.
-
[CULTURE] 2 sourcesAmerica's Got Talent quarterfinals results reveal semifinalists
The September 8 episode of America's Got Talent featured quarterfinals results, with Young and Strange and Cesar advancing to the next round following various performances and viewer votes.
-
[CULTURE] 2 sourcesAmerica's Got Talent quarterfinals feature guest judge Kenan Thompson
Kenan Thompson joined the judging panel for the third week of America's Got Talent quarterfinals, wielding the Golden Buzzer to send an act directly to the finals.
-
[CULTURE] 6 sourcesAmerica’s Got Talent hosts second night of live quarterfinals
During the second night of America’s Got Talent Season 21 quarterfinals, Mel B utilized the Live Golden Buzzer to send one act directly to the finals while Simon Cowell was absent for medical reasons.
-
[CULTURE] 5 sourcesAmerica's Got Talent enters live show quarterfinals
America's Got Talent Season 21 has moved into the live show quarterfinals in California, with 44 acts competing for viewer votes to advance.
-
[CULTURE] 5 sourcesAmerica's Got Talent Season 21 enters judges' callback round
America's Got Talent Season 21 continues with ‘Judges’ Callbacks 2’, where Howie Mandel and Sofía Vergara select final contestants for the live shows with the help of guest advisors.
-
[CULTURE] 3 sourcesAmerica's Got Talent revamps judging process for Season 21 live shows
America's Got Talent's Season 21 live shows now use a new judging system led by Simon Cowell and Mel B, with contestant Travis Garland advancing from the judges' callbacks.
-
[CULTURE] 4 sourcesAmerica's Got Talent Season 21 judges introduce Callbacks, 28 acts secure live quarterfinal spots
America’s Got Talent Season 21 added Judges’ Callbacks, confirming 28 acts for live quarter‑finals after Golden Buzzers and unanimous selections, with celebrity mentors joining the process.
-
[CULTURE] 7 sourcesSofia Vergara Gives Golden Buzzer to Ukrainian Aerialist Veronika Goroshkova on AGT
Sofia Vergara awarded her second Golden Buzzer on AGT to Ukrainian aerialist Veronika Goroshkova, whose net‑less pole act was hailed as “perfection” by Simon Cowell.
-
[CULTURE] 3 sourcesAmerica's Got Talent season 21 judges' callbacks and remote auditions recapped
America’s Got Talent season 21 featured remote judging due to COVID-19 and introduced a Judges’ Callbacks round, with acts like Barrio Dance Factory and beatboxer Vahtang receiving mixed judges’ feedback.
-
[CULTURE] 3 sourcesAmerica's Got Talent June 16 Episode 2026 Highlights
AGT Season 21 episode on June 16, 2026 featured the Sprice Machines, South Korean dance group Come Here, and Isaac Atkins, who earned Mel B’s Golden Buzzer; other acts received mixed judges’ feedback.
Sources
archynetys.com · billboard.com · celebdirtylaundry.com · cinemaBlend.com · cinemablend.com · comicbasics.com · eonline.com · fingerlakes1.com · formosadeportiva.com.ar · goldderby.com · hollywoodoutbreak.com · lizsteel.com · mjsbigblog.com · syracuse.com · talkingwithtami.com · thebiglead.com · tvgrapevine.com · tvinsider.com · tvzoneuk.com
This summary has been updated 8 times: see revision history