[REVISION HISTORY]

America's Got Talent Season 21: Auditions to Quarter-Finals

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-18 12:51 UTC → 2026-08-26 02:35 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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. ~~Subsequent callback episodes saw Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara finalizing their selections with the help of advisors like Nikki Glaser, Lele Pons, and Sebastián Yatra.~~ 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. ~~The competition is scheduled~~ During the second night of live quarterfinals on August 25, judge Simon Cowell was absent due to ~~continue through September 8.~~ a routine medical procedure for a back injury.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.