America’s Got Talent is wrapping up its milestone 20th season with a two-night finale event.

The final 10 contestants took to the stage to prove they have what it takes to win during the first half of the Season 20 finale on Tuesday, September 23. While judges Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Howie Mandel and Mel B. will share their thoughts on the Top 10 during the episode, it will be up to America to decide which act will take home the $1 million prize.

Viewers can vote up to 10 times for their favorite performers online or via the AGT or NBC mobile apps. Results will be announced during on the show’s Wednesday, September 24, episode, which will see the final 10 acts perform alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Scroll below to see everything that went down during Part 1 of AGT‘s two-part Season 20 finale!

Jessica Sanchez

Sanchez said she was “ready to be a star” after appearing on Season 1 of AGT. After some ups and downs in the music industry, she came back to the show better than ever and made it to the Season 20 finale, all while pregnant. Hoping to win the season with her unborn daughter, Sanchez belted out an impressive rendition of Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga‘s “Die With a Smile.”

Sanchez scored a standing ovation from all four judges, with Vergara calling her performance “perfection.” Mel B. praised Sanchez’s vocals as “flawless,” while Mandel dubbed the first act of the night as the “best” act of the night. Cowell, meanwhile, highlighted how Sanchez’s AGT journey highlighted the power of believing in yourself.

LightWire

The group headed into the finale with extra motivation — and pressure — after experiencing a technical malfunction during their Semifinals performance. After earning a Golden Buzzer earlier in the season, the troupe sought to prove that they are a million dollar act with another captivating performance, using special effects and dance to tell a moving story.

Cowell said he “got quite emotional” watching the act, praising the group for their talent on and off the AGT stage. He even went so far as saying the group deserved to win the competition. Mel B. enjoyed the act despite feeling it was “similar” to last week.

Mama Duke

Mama Duke noted that a Golden Buzzer from Mel B. felt like a “full circle moment,” as she looked up to the singer growing up. The rapper wanted to deliver a million dollar finale performance, and did just that with a motivational and uplifting original song.

Mel B. said she would be “first one” to buy front row tickets to a Mama Duke concert and praised her “realness.” Mandel also appreciated her authenticity, while Vergara loved her uniqueness and creativity. Cowell, for his part, said he enjoyed getting to know Mama Duke throughout the AGT season. “Whatever happens, this is an incredible launch pad for whatever you really want,” he added.

Sirca Marea

The trapeze duo have put a lot of hard work into their AGT journey, and have even lived out of their van throughout the competition. The pair lived up to their title as one of the series’ best acrobatic acts with a jaw-dropping, high-flying finale performance full of risky moves and flips. Like their Semifinals routine, Sirca Marea also incorporated several impressive blindfolded tricks.

Mandel’s criticism of the routine feeling “repetitive” was overshadowed by thunderous applause from the audience. Mel B. called the performance “seamless,” while Vergara called it “breathtaking.” Cowell, who gave the pair a standing ovation, said, “That was the best, genuinely, I have ever seen. … That was like an 11 out of 10.”

Micah Palace

Palace went from being frustrated about his musical future to living out his dreams on the NBC competition series. Motivated by a letter from his mom, the aspiring rapper lit up the AGT stage with an energetic song featuring both English and Spanish lyrics.

Vergara called Palace’s performance a “party,” while Cowell said he was “so happy” for the young musician. Handing out some more criticism, Mandel said he preferred Palace’s previous performances to his finale act. Cowell called Mel B.’s comments reminding Palace to act kind to the show’s crew “out of order,” stating he’s only been “really polite and sweet to everyone.”

Leo High School Choir

After securing the last spot in the Finals, the Chicago choir felt inspired heading into the season’s second-to-last episode. Led by choir director, LaDonna Hill, the students (some of whom have since begun college), got the crowd clapping along to their performance of The Script’s “Hall of Fame.”

Mel B. gushed over the group, stating that they’ve “delivered time and time again.” Cowell praised the choir’s ability to “make people feel great,” while Mandel said the act was a “winning, wonderful vibe.” Vergara declared, “You’re the coolest choir that has ever been here on AGT.”

Chris Turner

Turner recalled how he took a “massive risk” pursuing his dream of performing. Once again creating an on-the-spot rap featuring lyric suggestions from the judges and the audience, Turner performed an impressive — and hilarious — song mentioning everything from tampons to baby elephants to Jamaica to Mandel himself. As an added twist, the tempo increased every time Turner completed a rap about a given topic.

For Cowell, Turner could be the act to win the season. Mel B. found herself “lost for words” at Turner’s “raw talent,” and Vergara said she would be “very happy” if he won. Mandel, meanwhile, declared, “You just solidified yourself $1 million.”

Jourdan Blue

Blue said he felt like a “different person” from his AGT audition heading into the finale. Taking Cowell’s Semifinals criticism to “do something unexpected” for his next performance, Blue performed a powerful rendition of “Golden” from the film KPop Demon Hunters. The cherry on top? His parents were there supporting him in the audience.

“It’s over!” Mandel yelled, adding, “I believe you won!” Cowell also loved Blue’s “very smart” song choice, agreeing that he could win the season. Mel B. and Vergara also had nothing but praise for Blue’s latest cover.

Team Recycled

Being on AGT felt like being in the Olympics for the dance troupe. With their Finals performance, the 40-plus-member group wowed the audience and the judges with their grand routing set across both the stage and the auditorium.

For Mandel, the group lived up to the Golden Buzzer he gave them, while Cowell dubbed the performance “spectacular.” Mel B. thought the act was “genius” despite including some “recycled” dance moves, and Vergara thought they were the best they have ever been.

Steve Ray Ladson

Ladson has come a long way from a small town to the AGT. Chasing his dreams — and a Golden Buzzer from Vergara — led him to the show’s finale. Performing in front of his family, Ladson got his audience doing the “rodeo” with his energetic country rock song. He even showed off banjo skills and vocal chops on a mini stage directly in front of the judges.

“You are already a superstar,” Vergara exclaimed, while Mel B. added, “I’ve never seen an artist like this on AGT that has so much individuality, that sticks in his lane, and knows who he is as a true artist.” Cowell said now is Ladson’s “moment,” and Mandel called his performance a “winning song.”

America’s Got Talent, Finale, Part 2, Wednesday, September 24, 9/8c, NBC

More Headlines:

Originally published on tvinsider.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.

Tags

(0) comments

Welcome to the discussion.

Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.

Post a comment
Stop watching this discussion.