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Golden Buzzer

The Golden Buzzer is a concept that was introduced in Season 9 of America's Got Talent. Each judge may press their Golden Buzzer only once during the season (However starting from Fantasy League, each judge was given two golden buzzers). When it debuted in Season 9, the Golden Buzzer's initial purpose was sending the recipient act to the next round regardless of the other judges' votes; its main purpose was to break ties. In Season 10, the Golden Buzzer was upgraded to it's current status of sending an act straight to the live shows. This has been the main format for the Golden Buzzer ever since. Starting from Season 11, the host was given the ability to use the Golden Buzzer. Seasons 16 to 18 introduced the Group Golden Buzzer, where both the host and judges can use it to send an act straight to the live shows. Season 18, gave the audience the power to send an act to the live shows. In Season 19, each judge was given the power to send two acts to the live shows instead of one.

Season 9

Season 9 featured the debut of the golden buzzers. Unlike it's current format, the Golden Buzzer's original purpose was to send an act right to judgement week, regardless of what the other judge's votes were. Howard Stern used his on karate demonstration duo, Dustin's Dojo, and Howie Mandel used his on comedy rap duo, Emmanuel & Phillip Hudson. Heidi Klum used her golden buzzer for a Cyr wheel acrobatic duo called "The Birthday Boys," featuring Brad Henderson, who performed the act solo in the next round for Judgement Week. Neither of The Birthday Boys' performances were televised. All 3 acts were cut in Judgement Weeks. The act given Mel B's Golden Buzzer this season, is unknown.


Dustin's Dojo
Howard Stern

Emmanuel & Phillip Hudson
Howie Mandel

Brad Henderson
Heidi Klum
(Never televised)

Season 10

In Season 10, the Golden Buzzer format was changed. Now, acts who receive the buzzer automatically skip the Judge Cuts and go straight to the live shows. Howie was first shown pressing it for Drew Lynch, a comedian with a speech impediment. Howard used his for dance duo, Freckled Sky. Mel used hers for singer, Sharon Irving, and Heidi gave the buzzer to young Opera singer, Arielle Baril.

The guest judges for the Judge Cuts were also allowed to use the Golden Buzzer. Neil Patrick Harris was the first to use his, pressing it for comedy magician, Piff the Magic Dragon. Michael Bublé was the second, using his Golden Buzzer on vocal duo, The CraigLewis Band. Marlon Wayans was next, pressing his for ventriloquist Paul Zerdin. Piers Morgan was the last guest judge, and he used his Golden Buzzer, for dance group, Siro-A.

Freckled Sky was the only Golden Buzzer act this season eliminated in the Quarterfinals. Arielle, Siro-A, and Irving were all eliminated in the Semifinals. In the finals, Piff, missed out on the Top 5, while The CraigLewis Band and Drew finished in 5th and 2nd place respectively. Paul Zerdin was the season's winner, becoming the first recipient of the Golden Buzzer to win the show.


Drew Lynch
Howie Mandel

Freckled Sky
Howard Stern

Sharon Irving
Mel B

Arielle Baril
Heidi Klum

Piff the Magic Dragon
Neil Patrick Harris

The CraigLewis Band
Michael Bublé

Paul Zerdin
Marlon Wayans

Siro-A
Piers Morgan

Season 11

Season 11's format was similar to Season 10, but now gave the host a chance to press the Golden Buzzer.

Mel B was the first to press the golden buzzer this season, for 13-year-old opera singer Laura Bretan. Howie was the second to use the Golden Buzzer, pressing it for 12-year-old singer/ukulelist, Grace VanderWaal. Heidi then pressed it for 20-year-old jazz singer Sal Valentinetti. Simon Cowell was the final judge to use it, to which he gave it to 16-year-old singer Calysta Bevier. For the first (and only) time on the show, host Nick Cannon had his own opportunity to press the golden buzzer; he did so for 90-year-old striptease dancer Dorothy Williams.

In the Judge Cuts, Ne-Yo was the first guest judge to use the Golden Buzzer, pressing it for magician Jon Dorenbos. Reba McEntire used her's on 14-year-old gymnast/contortionist Sofie Dossi. George Lopez used his on malambo group Malevo. Finally, Louis Tomlinson used the Golden Buzzer for 14-year-old singer Jayna Brown.

Dorothy was the only Golden Buzzer act this season eliminated in the Quarterfinals. Malevo, Calysta, and Jayna were eliminated in the Semifinals. Sofie and Laura missed out on the Top 5, while Sal and Jon finished in 5th and 3rd place respectively. Grace VanderWaal was the season's winner.


Laura Bretan
Mel B

Grace VanderWaal
Howie Mandel

Sal Valentinetti
Heidi Klum

Calysta Bevier
Simon Cowell

Dorothy Williams
Nick Cannon

Jon Dorenbos
Ne-Yo

Sofie Dossi
Reba McEntire

Malevo
George Lopez

Jayna Brown
Louis Tomlinson

Season 12

Season 12's format is identical to that of Season 11.

Mel B was the first to press the Golden Buzzer this season, for 12-year-old singing ventriloquist Darci Lynne. Simon pressed his next, for 29-year-old deaf singer Mandy Harvey. Howie pressed the button for 16-year-old singer Christian Guardino. New host, Tyra Banks used her's, for Ukrainian light-up dance group, Light Balance, the only non-singing act among all the Golden Buzzers this season. Heidi pressed her button for 13-year-old singer Angelina Green.

In the Judge Cuts, Chris Hardwick was the first guest judge to use the Golden Buzzer, pressing it for 9-year-old singer Angelica Hale. Next, DJ Khaled pressed his for 21-year-old singer-songwriter/guitarist Chase Goehring. Laverne Cox pressed her button for 9-year-old singer Celine Tam. Lastly, Seal pressed his, for 32-year-old singer Johnny Manuel. Prior to using his Golden Buzzer on Goehring, Khaled had accidentally pressed the Golden Buzzer during the show's opening.

Angelina was the only Golden Buzzer act this season eliminated in the Quarterfinals. Johnny, Christian, and Celine were eliminated in the Semifinals. Chase missed out on the Top 5. Mandy finished in 4th place, Light Balance in 3rd, and Angelica came in 2nd. Darci Lynne was the season's winner.


Darci Lynne
Mel B

Mandy Harvey
Simon Cowell

Christian Guardino
Howie Mandel

Light Balance
Tyra Banks

Angelina Green
Heidi Klum

Angelica Hale
Chris Hardwick

Chase Goehring
DJ Khaled

Celine Tam
Laverne Cox

Johnny Manuel
Seal

Season 13

Season 13's format is identical to that of Season 11.

Tyra pressed the first Golden Buzzer of the season for acrobatic group Zurcaroh. Simon followed shortly after, using his for singer Michael Ketterer. Howie pressed his for 13-year-old singer Courtney Hadwin. Mel gave the honor to 15-year-old singer Amanda Mena. Heidi was the last judge to use the Golden Buzzer, giving it to 15-year-old singer, Makayla Phillips.

In the Judge Cuts, Ken Jeong pressed his Golden Buzzer for Voices of Hope Children's Choir. The following week, Olivia Munn pressed hers for Angel City Chorale. Martina McBride then pressed hers for ballroom dance duo Quin and Misha. Finally, Chris Hardwick pressed his for 14-year-old rapper Flau'jae.

Flau'jae and Quin and Misha were eliminated in the Quarterfinals. Amanda, Makayla, Voices of Hope Children's Choir and Angel City Chorale were eliminated in the Semifinals. Courtney missed out on the Top 5 of the Finals, while Michael finished in 5th place and Zurcaroh finished as runner-up.


Zurcaroh
Tyra Banks

Michael Ketterer
Simon Cowell

Courtney Hadwin
Howie Mandel

Amanda Mena
Mel B

Makayla Phillips
Heidi Klum

Voices of Hope Children's Choir
Ken Jeong

Angel City Chorale
Olivia Munn

Quin and Misha
Martina McBride

Flau'jae
Chris Hardwick

Season 14

Season 14's format is identical to that of Seasons 11-13. This was also the last season in which the Judge Cuts had Golden Buzzers.

Gabrielle Union pressed the first Golden Buzzer of the season for singer/pianist Kodi Lee. Howie pressed his for singer/rapper Joseph Allen. Simon followed, pressing his for 11-year-old violinist Tyler Butler-Figueroa. Next, was new host Terry Crews, pressing his for Detroit Youth Choir. Julianne Hough was the last judge to use hers, giving it to, 12-year-old singer Luke Islam.

In the Judge Cuts, Brad Paisley pressed his Golden Buzzer for 15-year-old singer/guitarist Sophie Pecora. Dwyane Wade pressed his for dance group, V.Unbeatable. Ellie Kemper pressed hers for light-up dance crew, Light Balance Kids. Finally, Jay Leno pressed his for 10-year-old opera singer, Emanne Beasha.

Pecora and Allen were eliminated in the Quarterfinals. Luke was the only act eliminated in the Semifinals. Emanne, Light Balance Kids and Tyler all missed out on the Top 5, whilst V.Unbeatable finished in 4th place and DYC finished as the runner-up. Kodi Lee was the season's winner.

Additionally, dancer Ben Trigger pressed the Golden Buzzer for himself during his audition, and performance in the Judge Cuts, but they both didn't count.


Kodi Lee
Gabrielle Union

Joseph Allen
Howie Mandel

Tyler Butler-Figueroa
Simon Cowell

Detroit Youth Choir
Terry Crews

Luke Islam
Julianne Hough

Sophie Pecora
Brad Paisley

V.Unbeatable
Dwyane Wade

Light Balance Kids
Ellie Kemper

Emanne Beasha
Jay Leno

Season 15

Season 15's format is slightly identical to that of Seasons 11-14. However, with production being shut down for a period of time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Judge Cuts were altered for this season, condensing it into a single episode and having there be no guest judges. The only guest judges this season were those who replaced the current judges, if they were absent. Eric Stonestreet filled in for Heidi when she fell ill in the auditions, and Kelly Clarkson and Kenan Thompson filled in for Simon in the Quarterfinals whilst he was recovering from a back injury. Stonestreet was not given the ability to use the Golden Buzzer, whilst Clarkson and Thompson couldn't use it due to it being past the Auditions and Judge Cuts.

Terry Crews pressed the first Golden Buzzer of the season for Voices of Our City Choir. Sofia Vergara was next, pressing her first-ever Golden Buzzer for 10-year-old singer Roberta Battaglia. Heidi came third, pressing her Golden Buzzer for singer Cristina Rae. Simon followed, pressing his for dance group W.A.F.F.L.E. Crew. Lastly, Howie gave his to spoken-word poet Brandon Leake.

None of the Golden Buzzer acts were eliminated in the Quarterfinals. Voices of Our City Choir and W.A.F.F.L.E. Crew were eliminated in the Semifinals. Roberta and Cristina finished in 4th place and 3rd place respectively. Brandon Leake was the season's winner.


Voices of Our City Choir
Terry Crews

Roberta Battaglia
Sofía Vergara

Cristina Rae
Heidi Klum

W.A.F.F.L.E. Crew
Simon Cowell

Brandon Leake
Howie Mandel

Season 16

Season 16's format is identical to that of Season 15, however this season introduced, the "group golden buzzer", in which all four judges and the host come together, to give one contestant a golden buzzer. Additionally, the Judge Cuts were also scrapped this season, meaning it, alongside guest judges, and their Golden Buzzers, were permanetly gone.

Howie pressed the first Golden Buzzer of the season for Northwell Health Nurse Choir. Simon followed, pressing his for singer Nightbirde. Terry pressed his for taekwondo group World Taekwondo Demonstration Team. Sofia pressed hers for singer Jimmie Herrod. Heidi pressed hers for French quick-change artist Léa Kyle. Finally, all five came together, to give the show's first ever group golden buzzer, to 9-year-old opera singer, Victory Brinker.

Nightbirde withdrew from the competition prior to the Quarterfinals. The remaining Golden Buzzer acts all successfully made the season's finals. Northwell, World Taekwondo, Jimmie, and Victory all missed out on the Top 5, whilst Léa finished in 5th place.


Northwell Health Nurse Choir
Howie Mandel

Nightbirde
Simon Cowell

World Taekwondo Demonstration Team
Terry Crews

Jimmie Herrod
Sofía Vergara

Léa Kyle
Heidi Klum

Victory Brinker
All Judges + Terry

Season 17

Season 17's format is identical to that of Season 16.

Terry pressed the first Golden Buzzer of the season for saxophonist Avery Dixon. Howie followed, pressing it for 11-year-old singer Maddie. Simon pressed it next for 13-year-old singer Sara James. Sofia pressed it for Lebanese dance group, Mayyas. Heidi pressed it for singer Lily Meola. Finally, all the judges and Terry gave the group Golden Buzzer to vocal country trio, Chapel Hart.

Maddie and Lily were eliminated in the Semifinals. Sara and Avery missed out on the Top 5, while Chapel Hart finished in 5th place. Mayyas were the season's winners.


Avery Dixon
Terry Crews

Maddie
Howie Mandel

Sara James
Simon Cowell

Mayyas
Sofía Vergara

Lily Meola
Heidi Klum

Chapel Hart
All Judges + Terry

Season 18

Season 18's format is identical to that of Season 17. However, this season, the Audience Golden Buzzer was introduced. The Audience Golden Buzzer works similar to the Group Golden Buzzer, in which the Judges and the Host press it together, however, the twist is that it's the audience who decides if the act should get it, hence the name.

The Audience Golden Buzzer was the first to be used this season, being pressed for South African group Mzansi Youth Choir. Simon pressed it the following week for 17-year-old blind Indonesian singer Putri Ariani. Terry followed, pressing it for Chioma & the Atlanta Drum Academy. Howie pressed it next for French dance group Murmuration. Heidi followed Howie, pressing it for 27-year-old blind/autistic singer Lavender Darcangelo. Sofia pressed it for Brazilian singer Gabriel Henrique. Finally, all the judges and Terry pressed it as a group for Japanese dance group Chibi Unity.

Chioma & the Atlanta Drum Academy and Gabriel were eliminated in the Semifinals. Lavender, Chibi Unity and Mzanzi Youth Choir all missed out on the Top 5, while Putri and Murmuration finished in 4th place and 3rd place respectively.


Putri Ariani
Simon Cowell

Chioma & the Atlanta
Drum Academy

Terry Crews

Murmuration
Howie Mandel

Lavender Darcangelo
Heidi Klum

Gabriel Henrique
Sofía Vergara

Chibi Unity
All Judges + Terry

Season 19

Season 19's format is close to that of Fantasy League. Each judge will get to send 2 acts to the live shows via the Golden Buzzer, with the host retaining his power to send only one act. The group and audience Golden Buzzers were eliminated.

In the auditions, Terry was the first to use his for the season, pressing it for Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi. Heidi used her first Golden Buzzer on singer Richard Goodall. Simon followed, pressing both of his Golden Buzzers for singer-songwriter Liv Warfield and drone performers Sky Elements. The following week, Sofia used her first Golden Buzzer on malambo group Legión. Howie used his first in the following episode on Australian dance group Brent Street. Heidi then used her second Golden Buzzer on 9-year-old singer Pranysqa Mishra. Howie used his second on 14-year-old singer Reid Wilson. Finally, Sofia used her second on Japanese comedy duo Schumacher.

For the first time in AGT history, each judge received another Golden Buzzer to use in the Quarterfinals, using it to send one act directly to the Final and would bypass both the public vote and the Semifinal. In Week 1, Sofia pressed it for Tanzanian acrobats Hakuna Matata Acrobatic. In Week 2, Howie beat Simon to the buzzer and pressed it for Japanese dance group AIRFOOTWORKS. In Week 3, Heidi pressed it for singer Dee Dee Simon. Finally in Week 4, Simon pressed it for aerial duo Sebastian & Sonia, although Sonia was unable to perform due to injury.

Liv, Schumacher and Legión were eliminated in the Quarterfinals. Pranysqa and Reid were eliminated in the Semifinals. Brent Street, Sebastian & Sonia, Dee Dee, Hakuna Matata Acrobatic and AIRFOOTWORKS all missed out on the Top 5, while Learnmore finished 5th and Sky Elements finished 3rd. Richard was the season's winner.

Auditions


Learnmore Jonasi
Terry Crews

Richard Goodall
Heidi Klum (1st)

Liv Warfield
Simon Cowell (1st)

Sky Elements
Simon Cowell (2nd)

Legión
Sofía Vergara (1st)

Brent Street
Howie Mandel (1st)

Pranysqa Mishra
Heidi Klum (2nd)

Reid Wilson
Howie Mandel (2nd)

Schumacher
Sofía Vergara (2nd)

Quarterfinals


Hakuna Matata Acrobatic
Sofía Vergara

AIRFOOTWORKS
Howie Mandel

Dee Dee Simon
Heidi Klum

Sebastian & Sonia
Simon Cowell

The Champions

Champions 1

For The Champions, an act that receives a Golden Buzzer in the preliminary shows, directly advances to the finals, without the need of winning the superfan vote.

In Week 1, Mel B pressed her Golden Buzzer for, Britain's Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle. In Week 2, Heidi pressed hers for Season 11 semi-finalists, Deadly Games. In Week 3, history was made, as Howie pressed his for Season 12 runner-up, Angelica Hale, making her the first ever two-time recipient of the Golden Buzzer. In Week 4, Simon pressed his for Season 12 finalist, Kechi. Finally, in Week 5, Terry Crews pressed his for Ukraine's Got Talent winner, Kseniya Simonova.

Susan, Deadly Games, Angelica and Kechi all missed out on the Top 5, while Kseniya finished in 3rd place.


Susan Boyle
Mel B

Deadly Games
Heidi Klum

Angelica Hale
Howie Mandel


Kechi
Simon Cowell


Kseniya Simonova
Terry Crews

Champions 2

The format for Champions 2 is similar to Champions 1, but this time the Golden Buzzer act could now skip the newly-added Semifinal round and go straight to the Finals. Due to there being one less preliminary round than last time, host Terry Crews was not given a chance to use the Golden Buzzer.

In Week 1, Heidi pressed hers for Norway's Got Talent winner, Angelina Jordan. In Week 2, Howie said he would've given the honor to Britain's Got Talent Semifinalist, turned runner-up Marc Spelmann. However, Simon stole it prior to show his support for Britain's Got Talent finalists, Boogie Storm, making more history, as they became the first ever Got Talent act to receive a Golden Buzzer from the same person (Simon pressed it for them during their BGT run). Howie came back in Week 3 and pressed his for Season 14 finalists, V.Unbeatable. Finally, Alesha Dixon pressed hers for Season 6 runner-ups, Silhouettes, in Week 4.

Angelina, Boogie Storm and Silhouettes all missed out on the Top 5, while V.Unbeatable won the competition.


Angelina Jordan
Heidi Klum

Boogie Storm
Simon Cowell
(stolen from Howie Mandel)

V.Unbeatable
Howie Mandel

Silhouettes
Alesha Dixon

AGT: Extreme

Similar to The Champions, for Extreme, an act that received a Golden Buzzer in the audition round is sent directly to the Finals without having to face the Superfan vote.

On the season premiere, Simon Cowell was the first to press the coveted buzzer, doing so for drone engineering group Verge Aero. Nikki Bella later pressed hers for wheelchair motocross rider Aaron Wheelz. Terry Crews then pressed it for cage-riding/motorcyclist group Alfredo Silva's Cage Riders, led by Alfredo Silva, member of Deadly Games and brother of Alan Silva. Travis Pastrana pressed his for aerial performer Cyndel Flores. Finally, all four members as a group gave a Golden Buzzer to aerial performer Erika Lemay.

Verge Aero and Cyndel Flores were eliminated in the final, while Erika Lemay finished in the top 4 and Aaron Wheelz finished as runner-up. Alfredo Silva's Cage Riders were the winners of the competition.


Verge Aero
Simon Cowell

Aaron Wheelz
Nikki Bella

Alfredo Silva's Cage Riders
Terry Crews

Cyndel Flores
Travis Pastrana

Erika Lemay
All Judges + Terry

All-Stars

Similar to The Champions, for All-Stars, an act that received a Golden Buzzer in the Preliminary round is sent directly to the Finals without having to face the Superfans vote.

Howie pressed it in Week 1 for Season 14 finalists, Light Balance Kids. In Week 2, Terry pressed it for Season 14 runner-up, Detroit Youth Choir, making them the 2nd act to receive a Golden Buzzer from the same person after Boogie Storm. Simon pressed it in Week 3 for Season 17 finalist, Mike E. Winfield. Heidi pressed it in Week 4 for Britain's Got Talent finalist Aidan McCann. Finally, all the judges and Terry gave Britain's Got Talent finalist, Tom Ball, the Group Golden Buzzer

DYC, Mike and Tom all missed out on the Top 5, while Aidan finished in 5th place, and Light Balance Kids finished 3rd.


Light Balance Kids
Howie Mandel

Detroit Youth Choir
Terry Crews

Mike E. Winfield
Simon Cowell

Aidan McCann
Heidi Klum

Tom Ball
All Judges + Terry

Fantasy League

For Fantasy League, the judges are each given two Golden Buzzers instead of one, now being able to to send two acts directly to the finals. If a judge was to hit the Golden Buzzer for an act that was not on their team, that act would be automatically transferred to their team. The judges were then permitted another Golden Buzzer each in the Semifinals with the same rule applying, however this time two Golden Buzzers were hit each night.

In the Preliminaries, Mel B pressed the Golden Buzzer in Week 1 to steal Season 12 semi-finalists Billy & Emily England from Simon Cowell's team. The following week, Howie Mandel pressed it to steal Season 18 finalists Ramadhani Brothers from Heidi Klum's team. Heidi bounced back in Week 3, pressing it for Season 11 finalist Sofie Dossi. Lastly, Simon used his for Season 18 semifinalists SAINTED Trap Choir. In the Semifinals, Mel B used her second Golden Buzzer in Week 1 to steal Season 16 runner-up/All-Stars winner Aidan Bryant from Heidi's team. In the same episode, Howie used his to steal Season 14 winner Kodi Lee from Simon's team. In Week 2, Simon used his second Golden Buzzer for Britain's Got Talent finalist Musa Motha. Finally, Heidi used hers to steal Season 14 grand-finalist/Champions 2 winner V.Unbeatable from Howie's team.

Kodi, Billy & Emily, Sofie and Aidan all missed out on the Top 5. Musa, SAINTED and V.Unbeatable finished in 5th, 4th and 3rd place respectively, while Ramadhani Brothers won the competition.


Ramadhani Brothers
Howie Mandel

Sofie Dossi
Heidi Klum

Billy & Emily England
Mel B

SAINTED Trap Choir
Simon Cowell

Kodi Lee
Howie Mandel (2nd)

V.Unbeatable
Heidi Klum (2nd)

Aidan Bryant
Mel B (2nd)

Musa Motha
Simon Cowell (2nd)

Trivia

  • Since the upgraded format was introduced in Season 10, seven out of nine winners, Paul Zerdin, Grace VanderWaal, Darci Lynne, Kodi Lee, Brandon Leake, Mayyas and Richard Goodall had received golden buzzers, with Richard, Mayyas, Brandon, Kodi, Darci, and Grace receiving it in the Auditions, and Paul receiving it in the Judge Cuts.
    • Shin Lim from Season 13 is the first act to break this tradition, after not receiving the Golden Buzzer in either the auditions or Judge Cuts. He was followed by Dustin Tavella in Season 16, who didn't receive the Golden Buzzer in his audition. Both are coincidentally, magicians. Adrian Stoica and Hurricane broke the streak of magicians winning without a Golden Buzzer when they won Season 18.
    • Paul Zerdin is the only winning act to receive the Golden Buzzer from a guest judge from Judge Cuts (that being Marlon Wayans).
  • Seven out of the eight Season 10 golden buzzer acts reached the Semifinals. Four reached the Finals.
  • Eight out of the nine Season 11 golden buzzer acts reached the Semifinals. Five reached the Finals.
  • Eight out of the nine Season 12 golden buzzer acts reached the Semifinals. Five reached the Finals.
  • Seven out of the nine Season 13 golden buzzer acts reached the Semifinals. Three reached the Finals.
  • Seven out of the nine Season 14 golden buzzer acts reached the Semifinals. Six reached the Finals.
  • All five of the Season 15 golden buzzer acts reached the Semifinals. Three reached the Finals.
  • Only five out of the six Season 16 golden buzzer acts performed in the Quarterfinals. All five reached both the Semifinals and the Finals.
  • Bearing the withdrawal of Nightbirde, Season 16 was the first season where all the golden buzzers made it to the Semifinals without falling in the Instant Save.
  • Four out of the six Season 17 golden buzzer acts reached the Finals.
  • Five out of the seven Season 18 golden buzzer acts reached the Finals.
  • Season 14 sets the record for the most Golden Buzzer acts advancing to the Finals (6), while Seasons 13 and 15 holds the record for the least advancing (3).
  • Angelica Hale is the first act to receive the Golden Buzzer twice on AGT.[1] She was followed by V.Unbeatable, Light Balance Kids, Detroit Youth Choir, Sofie Dossi, and Kodi Lee.
    • V.Unbeatable is the first act to receive two Golden Buzzers in back-to-back seasons (Season 14 and Champions 2).
    • V.Unbeatable is also the first act to receive the Golden Buzzer three times on AGT.
  • Detroit Youth Choir is the first act in AGT history to receive two Golden Buzzers from the same person (Terry Crews).
  • Chris Hardwick is the only guest judge to use the golden buzzer twice.
  • Seven of the ten acts that received the Golden Buzzer from the show's host (including spin-offs) have reached the finals (Alfredo Silva’s Cage Riders won, Zurcaroh and Detroit Youth Choir both finished 2nd, Light Balance and Kseniya Simonova both placed 3rd, World Taekwondo Demonstration Team and Avery Dixon both finished in the Bottom 6). Dorothy Williams from Season 11, Voices of Our City Choir from Season 15 and Chioma & The Atlanta Drum Academy from Season 18 were the only exceptions.
  • Among the judges, Howie Mandel has the most Golden Buzzer wins, with four (including spin-offs).
  • Howie is also the first judge to have his Golden Buzzer acts win in consecutive seasons (V.Unbeatable in Champions 2, Brandon Leake in Season 15).
  • Boogie Storm is the first and currently only act to receive the Golden Buzzer from a judge who stole that opportunity from another judge (in this case, Simon Cowell stole the opportunity from Howie Mandel). They are also the first act to receive the Golden Buzzer from the same judge in two different series (again, Simon Cowell, in BGT and Champions 2)
  • Howard Stern and Tyra Banks are the only regular judge and host respectively who have never pressed the Golden Buzzer for a singer or singing-related act.
  • Season 15 is the first season where all golden buzzers reach the Semifinals.
  • Season 16 is the first season where all golden buzzers (barring the withdrawn Nightbirde) reach the Finals.
  • Season 18 was the only time since its inception that the group Golden Buzzer did not go to a singing act.
  • As of Season 18, all of the group Golden Buzzer acts since its inception reached the finals.
  • Seasons 13, 15 and 17 were the only times that two Golden Buzzer acts were eliminated by the third act in their group. In the Season 13 Semifinals, Makayla Phillips and Amanda Mena were eliminated by another Golden Buzzer act (Michael Ketterer), while in the Season 15 Semifinals, W.A.F.F.L.E. Crew and Voices of Our City Choir were eliminated by a non-Golden Buzzer act (Daneliya Tuleshova). Chapel Hart were the first to achieve this in the Finals, eliminating both Sara James and Avery Dixon in Season 17.
  • Nightbirde is the first Golden Buzzer act to withdraw from the competition prior to the live shows.
  • Nightbirde is also the first Golden Buzzer solo act to pass away.
  • The CraigLewis Band is the first Golden Buzzer group act to have a member pass away (specifically, with Zuri Craig).
  • Season 16 was the first (and only) season that saw two Golden Buzzer acts fight for the Instant Save (Jimmie Herrod and World Taekwondo Demonstration Team in Episode 1616; and Léa Kyle and Victory Brinker in Episode 1618).
  • Light Balance is the first act in Got Talent history to receive the Golden Buzzer on both AGT and one of the international versions of the franchise. They were followed by Zurcaroh (France's Got Talent and Season 13 (Coincidentally, in both instances, it was the show's host that gave them the honor (Tyra Banks and David Ginola)), Celine Tam (Season 12 and World's Got Talent), Malevo (Season 11 and World's Got Talent) Emanne Beasha (Arabs Got Talent and Season 14), World Taekwondo Demonstration Team (Italy's Got Talent and Season 16), Light Balance Kids (Season 14 and Germany's Got Talent), Mayyas (Arabs Got Talent and Season 17), Murmuration (France's Got Talent and Season 18) and Hakuna Matata Acrobatic (Season 19 and Romania’s Got Talent). If you count Kseniya Simonova (AGT Champions 1 and BGT Champions) and Boogie Storm (Britain's Got Talent and AGT Champions 2) from The Champions and Ramadhani Brothers (Australia's Got Talent, Czechoslovakia's Got Talent, and Fantasy League) and Musa Motha (Britain's Got Talent and Fantasy League) from Fantasy League, they also fit this category.
  • Out of everyone who participated in America's Got Talent (or any of its spin-offs), there are 31 acts who received the Golden Buzzer on two or more different seasons or versions of Got Talent, those being:
  • With the exception of Deadly Games, Kseniya, and Angelina, all Golden Buzzers given out during The Champions, were to those who were either runner-ups or finalists.

References