# America's Got Talent Season 21: Auditions to Quarter-Finals > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/americas-got-talent-season-21 > Updated: 2026-08-26T00:09:37.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 8. Season 21 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent continued its two-phase format following the live audition episode on June 16, 2026. The panel—Simon Cowell, Mel B, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and host Terry Crews—reviewed a range of acts, including the domino-style contraption by Steve and Mark (Sprice Machines), the barefoot Korean dance troupe Come Here, and Army sergeant Isaac Atkins, whose rendition of “Beggin’” earned Mel B’s Golden Buzzer. In late July, the competition introduced a “Judges’ Callbacks” round. This phase allowed judges to invite select contestants back for second performances. Ten acts had already secured spots via Golden Buzzers, while eighteen others were unanimously approved to advance, bringing the confirmed roster to 28 performers. During these callbacks, judges were assisted by celebrity mentors including Normani, Poo Bear, Lele Pons, Sebastián Yatra, Emma Bunton, and Nikki Glaser. During the second callback episode, Howie Mandel was joined by Nikki Glaser at the Laugh Factory, while Sofia Vergara was assisted by Lele Pons and Sebastián Yatra. As the competition entered the Quarter-Finals on August 4, the judging process was revamped, with Simon Cowell and Mel B taking the lead in selecting quarter-finalists. Training camp sessions were held in Seattle. Among the advancing acts was singer Travis Garland, a former NLT member, who received mixed feedback but was approved by Cowell, Mel B, and Vergara. On August 18, the live shows officially commenced at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California, with 44 acts advancing to the quarterfinals. For this phase, the judges no longer hold the power to use wild cards or saves to prevent eliminations; instead, contestant fates will be determined by viewer votes. 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. ## Claims - Season 21 of America’s Got Talent aired on NBC on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The judges introduced a new Judges’ Callbacks round to give contestants a second chance before the live quarter‑finals. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Ten acts received Golden Buzzers during auditions and were automatically advanced to the live quarter‑finals. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Eighteen acts were unanimously selected to advance without a second audition. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Simon Cowell selected six acts—Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm, Akira, Elektro Dads, Travis Garland, Sando and Elsie—for the Callbacks round. (corroborated by 2 sources) - A total of 28 acts were confirmed for the live quarter‑finals. (single 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 (single source) - Celebrity mentors Normani, Poo Bear, Lele Pons, Sebastián Yatra, Emma Bunton and Nikki Glaser were announced to advise contestants in the Callbacks. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-26: America’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. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/americas-got-talent-hosts-second-night-of-live-quarterfinals ### 2026-08-18: America'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. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/americas-got-talent-enters-live-show-quarterfinals ### 2026-08-11: America'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. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/americas-got-talent-season-21-enters-judges-callback-round ### 2026-08-04: America'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. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/americas-got-talent-revamps-judging-process-for-season-21-live-shows ### 2026-07-28: America'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. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/americas-got-talent-season-21-judges-introduce-callbacks-28-acts-secure-live-quarterfinal-spots ### 2026-07-14: Sofia 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. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/americas-got-talent-season-21-auditions-episode-highlights ### 2026-07-07: America'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. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/americas-got-talent-season-21-judges-callbacks-and-remote-auditions-recapped ### 2026-06-16: America'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. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/americas-got-talent-june-16-episode-2026-highlights --- Cite as: America's Got Talent Season 21: Auditions to Quarter-Finals. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/americas-got-talent-season-21