The Judges' Choice is a concept that was introduced in Season 1 of America's Got Talent during the Semifinals. In season 1, it appears on the end of each live shows. Starting in season 3, it appears in live show results episodes (excluding the season finale). The judges can vote to send one of two acts, acts with the least amount of votes to be eligible for the next round, to the next round.
In seasons with three judges (1 - 7 and the remainder of 15), two votes send an act to the next round. In seasons with four judges, three votes send an act to the next round. In the event of a tie in the four-judge configuration, the tie is broken by reverting back to the public vote; the act that received more public votes than its opponent advanced.
Starting from the Season 9 Semifinals, the two acts in the Judges' Choice are the two that lost the Instant Save.
The Judges' Choice was eliminated in Season 17 due to a format change.
Season 1
| Episode | Round | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 104 | Semifinals |
The Millers |
| 106 | Semifinals |  Realis Acrobatic Dance Duo (David) |
| 108 | Semifinals |  Rappin' Granny Rapper (Piers) |
| 110 | Semifinals |  The Passing Zone Comedy Juggler Duo (David) |
| 112 | Wild Card |  All That Clogging Group (Piers, David) |
Season 3
| Episode | Round | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 311 | Quarterfinals |  The James Gang Dancing Vocal Group (Piers, Sharon) |
 Elite Martial Artist |
| 312 | Quarterfinals |  ZOOperstars! Mascot Dance Group (Sharon, David) |
 Beyond Belief Dance Company Dance Group (Piers) |
| 313 | Quarterfinals |  SickStep Dance Group (Piers, Sharon, David) |
 Michael Strelo-Smith Singer |
| 314 | Quarterfinals |  The Tapping Dads Tap Dance Group (Sharon, David) |
 Bryan Cheatham Singer (Piers) |
| 316 | Semifinals |  Jessica Price Singer/Guitarist (Piers, David) |
 Daniel Jens Singer (Sharon) |
| 316 | Semifinals |  Joseph Hall Elvis Impersonator (Piers, David) |
 Jonathan Burkin Baton Twirler (Sharon) |
Season 4
The Judges' Choice was not officially used in the Semifinals because the judges could not decide whether to pass through either Fab Five or The Voices of Glory as the choice for Week 1. As a result, both acts advanced to the Finals. Because of this extreme circumstance, 5 acts moved on each week in the Semifinals, decided solely by American votes.
| Episode | Round | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 414 | Quarterfinals |  Arcadian Broad Dancer (Sharon, David) |
 Thia Megia Singer (Piers) |
| 416 | Quarterfinals |  Tony Hoard & Rory Dog Act (Sharon, David) |
 Charles DeWayne Singer/Pianist (Piers) |
| 418 | Quarterfinals |  FootworKINGz Dance Group (Piers, Sharon, David) |
 Pixie Mystère Contortionist Dance Group |
| 420 | Quarterfinals |  Erik and Rickie Ballroom Dancers (Piers, David) |
 Mia Boostrom Singer/Pianist (Sharon) |
| 422 | Semifinals | Winners | |
 Fab Five Clogging Group (Piers, Sharon, David) |
 The Voices of Glory Vocal Trio (Piers, Sharon, David) | ||
Season 5
| Episode | Round | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 514 | Quarterfinals |  Future Funk Dancers (Piers, Howie) |
 RNG Dance Group (Sharon) |
| 516 | Quarterfinals |  Antonio Restivo Fire Performer Magician (Sharon, Howie) |
 Wreckless Dance Group (Piers) |
| 518 | Quarterfinals |  Jeremy Vanschoonhoven Stunt Biker (Piers, Sharon) |
 Kaya and Sadie Belly Dancers |
| 520 | Quarterfinals |  ArcAttack Technological Band (Sharon, Howie) |
 Anna and Patryk Ballroom Dancers (Piers) |
| 522 | Quarterfinals |  Kristina Young Singer (Piers, Sharon) |
 Cam Hodges Singer/Guitarist (Howie) |
| 524 | Quarterfinals |  Michael Lipari & Ashleigh Dejon Aerialists (Sharon, Howie) |
 Harmonica Pierre Harmonica Player (Piers) |
| 526 | Semifinals |  Christina & Ali Vocal Duo (Piers, Sharon) |
 Connor Doran Indoor Kite Flyer (Howie) |
| 528 | Semifinals |  Studio One Young Beast Society Dance Group (Piers, Sharon) |
 Alice Tan Ridley Singer |
Season 6
| Episode | Round | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 614 | Quarterfinals |  Miami All Stars Dance Group (Piers, Sharon) |
 The Fiddleheads Bluegrass Band |
| 616 | Quarterfinals |  Smage Bros. Riding Shows Stunt Motorbike Group (Sharon, Howie) |
 Landon Swank Magician (Piers) |
| 618 | Quarterfinals |  Professor Splash High Diver (Piers, Howie) |
 Seth Grabel Acrobatic Magician (Sharon) |
| 620 | Quarterfinals |  Melissa Villasenor Comedic Impressionist (Sharon, Howie) |
 Charles Peachock Juggler (Piers) |
| 622 | Quarterfinals |  Beth Ann Robinson Dancer (Piers, Howie) |
 West Springfield Dance Team Dance Group (Sharon) |
| 624 | Quarterfinals |  Summerwind Skippers Jump Rope Team (Piers, Sharon) |
The Fiddleheads Bluegrass Band (Howie) |
| 626 | Semifinals | West Springfield Dance Team Dance Group (Piers, Howie) |
 Daniel Joseph Baker Singer/Pianist |
| 628 | Semifinals | Smage Bros. Riding Shows Stunt Motorbike Team (Piers, Howie) |
 Snap Boogie Dancer (Sharon) |
Season 7
| Episode | Round | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 715 | Quarterfinals |  Edon Singer/Pianist (Howard, Howie) |
 Todd Oliver Ventriloquist |
| 717 | Quarterfinals |  Donovan & Rebecca Acrobats (Howard, Howie) |
 Danielle Stallings Singer (Sharon) |
| 719 | Quarterfinals |  All Wheel Sports Acrobatic Stunt Bike Group (Sharon, Howie) |
 Wordspit and the Illest! Band (Howard) |
| 721 | Quarterfinals |  Eric Dittelman Mind Reader (Howard, Howie) |
 All That! Clogging Group (Sharon) |
| 723 | Quarterfinals |  Clint Carvalho & His Extreme Parrots Parrot Trainer (Howard, Sharon) |
 Drew Erwin Singer/Guitarist |
| 725 | Quarterfinals | All That! Clogging Group (Howard, Sharon) |
 Lindsey Norton Acrobatic Dancer (Howie) |
| 727 | Semifinals |  Joe Castillo Sand Artist (Sharon, Howie) |
Todd Oliver Ventriloquist (Howard) |
| 729 | Semifinals |  David Garibaldi and His CMYK's Painting Dance Group (Howard, Howie) |
 Lightwire Theater Light-up Puppet Group (Sharon) |
Season 8
| Episode | Round | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 811 | Quarterfinals |  Anna Christine Singer/Pianist (Howard, Heidi) |
 American Hitmen Rock Band (Mel B, Howie) |
| 813 | Quarterfinals |  Angela Hoover Comedic Impressionist (Howard, Mel B) |
 Tone the Chiefrocca Rapper (Heidi, Howie) |
| 815 | Quarterfinals |  Chicago Boyz Acrobat Team (Howard, Mel B, Howie) |
 Mitsi Dancing School Chinese Folk Dance Group |
| 817 | Quarterfinals |  Taylor Williamson Stand-up Comedian (Howard, Howie) |
 Chloe Channell Singer (Heidi, Mel B) |
| 819 | Quarterfinals |  John Wing Stand-up Comedian (Howard, Mel B, Howie) |
 Duo Resonance Balancing Acrobats (Heidi) |
| 821 | Semifinals |  Catapult Shadow Dance Group (Howard, Heidi, Howie) |
 Dave Fenley Singer/Guitarist (Mel B) |
| 823 | Semifinals |  D'Angelo and Amanda Ballroom Dancers (Howard, Mel B) |
Anna Christine Singer (Heidi, Howie) |
Season 9
| Episode | Round | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 910 | Quarterfinals |  Baila Conmigo Salsa Dance Group (Howard, Heidi, Howie) |
 Flight Crew Jump Rope Jump Rope Team (Mel B) |
| 912 | Quarterfinals |  Mara Justine Singer (Howard, Heidi, Mel B) |
 ACTE II Opera Duo |
| 914 | Quarterfinals |  AcroArmy Acrobat Group (Howard, Heidi, Mel B) |
 Mike Super Mystifier (Howie) |
| 916 | Quarterfinals |  Kelli Glover Singer (Howard, Mel B, Howie) |
 One Voice Children's Choir Choir |
| 918 | Semifinals |  David and Leeman Magicians (Howard, Heidi, Howie) |
 Aerial Animation Aerialist |
| 920 | Semifinals |  Christian Stoinev Hand Balancer (Howard, Mel B, Howie) |
 Smoothini Close-Up Magician |
| 922 | Finals (Top 12) |  Miguel Dakota Singer (Heidi, Mel B) |
 Emil and Dariel Rock Cellists (Howard, Howie) |
Season 10
| Episode | Round | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1013 | Quarterfinals |  Alondra Santos Mariachi Singer (Howard, Heidi, Mel B) |
 The Gentlemen Hip-Hop Dance Duo (Howie) |
| 1015 | Quarterfinals |  3 Shades of Blue Pop Rock Band (Howard, Mel B, Heidi) |
 Freckled Sky Video Projection Dance Duo |
| 1017 | Quarterfinals |  Daniella Mass Opera Singer (Howard, Mel B, Howie) |
 Benjamin Yonattan Dancer (Heidi) |
| 1019 | Semifinals |  The CraigLewis Band R&B Vocal Duo (Howard, Howie) |
 Samantha Johnson Singer (Heidi, Mel B) |
| 1021 | Semifinals |  Gary Vider Stand-up Comedian (Howard, Howie) |
 Freelusion Videomapping Dance Group (Heidi, Mel B) |
Season 11
| Episode | Round | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1112 | Quarterfinals |  Deadly Games Knife Thrower Duo (Heidi, Simon) |
 Hara Magician (Howie, Mel B) |
| 1114 | Quarterfinals |  Kadie Lynn Singer/Guitarist (Heidi, Simon) |
 ThroWings Acrobat Duo (Howie, Mel B) |
| 1116 | Quarterfinals |  Linkin' Bridge Vocal Group (Howie, Mel B, Simon) |
 Ronee Singer (Heidi) |
| 1118 | Semifinals |  Laura Bretan Opera Singer (Heidi, Mel B, Simon) |
 Edgar Family Band (Howie) |
| 1120 | Semifinals |  Viktor Kee Juggler (Howie, Heidi) |
 Steven Brundage Magician (Mel B, Simon) |
Season 12
| Episode | Round | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1212 | Quarterfinals |  Yoli Mayor Singer (Heidi, Simon) |
 Just Jerk Hip-Hop Dance Crew (Howie, Mel B) |
| 1214 | Quarterfinals |  Eric Jones Magician (Howie, Mel B) |
 The Masqueraders Soul Trio (Heidi, Simon) |
| 1216 | Quarterfinals |  DaNell Daymon & Greater Works Gospel Choir (Howie, Mel B, Simon) |
 Angelina Green Singer (Heidi) |
| 1218 | Semifinals |  Chase Goehring Singer/Guitarist (Howie, Mel B, Simon) |
Eric Jones Magician (Heidi) |
| 1220 | Semifinals |  Diavolo Acrobatic Dance Group (Howie, Mel B, Simon) |
 Colin Cloud Mentalist |
Season 13
| Episode | Round | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1312 | Quarterfinals |  Junior New System Dance Group (Heidi, Simon) |
 Mochi Multimedia Juggler (Howie, Mel B) |
| 1314 | Quarterfinals |  Da RepubliK Dance Group (Mel B, Heidi, Simon) |
 Front Pictures Multimedia Performance Act (Howie) |
| 1316 | Quarterfinals |  Aaron Crow Danger Act (Howie, Mel B, Heidi) |
 The Future Kingz Dance Group (Simon) |
| 1318 | Semifinals |  Duo Transcend Trapeze Duo (Howie, Mel B) |
 Voices of Hope Children's Choir Choir (Heidi, Simon) |
| 1320 | Semifinals |  Daniel Emmet Opera Singer (Howie, Heidi, Simon) |
 We Three Band (Mel B) |
Season 14
Due to a technical error in the voting system, the first week of the Quarterfinals in Episode 1412 did not feature the Judges Choice, instead eliminating the two acts that did not win the Dunkin' Save.
| Episode | Round | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1414 | Quarterfinals |  Ndlovu Youth Choir Choir (Gabrielle, Simon) |
 Charlotte Summers Singer (Howie, Julianne) |
| 1416 | Quarterfinals |  Marcin Patrzalek Guitarist (Howie, Gabrielle, Simon) |
 Lukas & Falco Dog Act (None) |
| 1418 | Semifinals | Ndlovu Youth Choir Choir (Gabrielle, Julianne, Simon) |
 Robert Finley Singer (Howie) |
| 1420 | Semifinals |  Emanne Beasha Opera Singer (Gabrielle, Julianne, Simon) |
 Alex Dowis Blacklight Painter (Howie) |
"The Champions" 2
In Champions 2, the acts that placed in 3rd, 4th and 5th place in the Superfan vote during the Preliminary round episodes faced the Judges' Choice for the third spot in the Semifinals. In the Semifinal, the acts that placed 6th and 7th fought for the last place in the Final. At least two votes are needed for an act to advance.
| Episode | Round | Winner | Loser(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| TC201 | Preliminary |  Hans Singer/Dancer/Accordionist (Heidi, Howie) |
 Junior Creative Shadow Dance Group (Alesha)
|
| TC202 | Preliminary |  Ryan Niemiller Stand-Up Comedian (Simon, Alesha, Heidi) |
 Spencer Horsman Escape Artist (None)
|
| TC203 | Preliminary |  Alexa Lauenburger Dog Trainer (Howie, Alesha, Simon) |
 Quick Style Dance Trio (None)
|
| TC204 | Preliminary |  JJ Pantano Stand-Up Comedian (Howie, Simon) |
 Brian King Joseph Electric Violinist (Alesha)
|
| TC205 | Semifinals |  Duo Transcend Trapeze Duo (Simon, Heidi, Alesha) |
 Duo Destiny Hand Balancing Duo (None) |
Season 15
In Episodes 1514, 1516, 1518 and 1520, a two-vote majority was needed for an act to advance as there were only three judges.
| Episode | Round | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1510 | Quarterfinals |  Double Dragon Singing Duo (Heidi, Sofia, Howie) |
 Feng E Ukulelist (Kelly) |
| 1512 | Quarterfinals |  Jonathan Goodwin Daredevil (Heidi, Sofia) |
 Alexis Brownley & The Puppy Pals Dog Act (Howie, Kenan) |
| 1514 | Quarterfinals |  Malik DOPE Drummer (Heidi, Howie) |
 Nolan Neal Singer/Guitarist (Sofia) |
| 1516 | Quarterfinals |  Bello Sisters Acrobatic Trio (Sofia, Howie) |
 Resound Vocal Trio (Heidi) |
| 1518 | Semifinals |  Archie Williams Singer (Sofia, Heidi) |
Malik DOPE Drummer (Howie) |
| 1520 | Semifinals |  BAD Salsa Salsa Duo (Sofia, Howie) |
 Max Major Magician (None) |
Season 16
| Episode | Round | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1610 | Quarterfinals |  Madilyn Bailey Singer (Howie, Simon) |
 Beyond Belief Dance Company Dance Group (Heidi, Sofia) |
| 1612 | Quarterfinals |  Korean Soul Band (Howie, Simon) |
 T.3 Vocal Trio (Heidi, Sofia) |
| 1614 | Quarterfinals |  UniCircle Flow Unicycle Group (Howie, Sofia, Simon) |
 Storm Large Singer (Heidi) |
| 1616 | Semifinals |  World Taekwondo Demonstration Team Martial Arts Group (Heidi, Sofia, Simon) |
 Michael Winslow Voicetramentalist (None) |
| 1618 | Semifinals |  Victory Brinker Opera Singer (Heidi, Sofia, Simon) |
UniCircle Flow Unicycle Group (Howie) |
Trivia
- No act that won the Judges' Choice vote has won a season, but two acts have made the Top 3: Taylor Williamson placed second in Season 8, and AcroArmy placed third in Season 9.
- If Champions is taken into consideration, Duo Transcend would have tied Taylor Williamson for the highest-placing act that relied on the Judges' Choice, as they finished second in Champions 2 .
- Two acts have won the Judges' Choice vote twicein the same season: Smage Bros. Riding Shows in Season 6, and Ndlovu Youth Choir in Season 14.
- Duo Transcend is the first act to win the Judges' Choice in two different seasons (Season 13 and Champions 2). Both times they won it in the Semifinals, and against an act of two or more people.
- Both times that Ndlovu Youth Choir was in the Judges' Choice in Season 14, they won against a solo singer (Charlotte Summers in the Quarterfinals, and Robert Finley in the Semifinals).
- Only two acts lost the Judges' Choice twice: The Fiddleheads in Season 6 and Todd Oliver in Season 7.
- Episode 1412 is the only episode that doesn't have the Judge's Choice since there was an error in the voting system.
- Season 2, Season 17, and Season 18 are the only seasons of the main series so far that don't have the Judges Choice.
- Between Seasons 10-15, a coincidental trend has begun where the loser of the Judges Choice in the first week of the Quarterfinals has been an Asian act (excluding Season 14, which did not have the Judges Choice in the first week). These acts are The Gentlemen (Season 10), Hara (Season 11), Just Jerk (Season 12), Mochi (Season 13), and Feng E (Season 15).
- Season 16 is the first season since to break that trend, with Beyond Belief Dance Company losing the first week's Judges' Choice.
- in the main series since he joined the judging panel in Season 11, Simon Cowell has almost always chosen a singing act over a non-singing in the Judges' Choice (aside from situations where either both or neither of the acts were singing acts). That changed in Episode 1614 when Simon voted for UniCircle Flow over Storm Large.
- If the Champions spin-offs are taken into account, he also voted for comedian Ryan Niemiller in Episode TC202 over Luke Islam.
- Beyond Belief Dance Company is the first act to lose the Judges' Choice vote in 2 different seasons (3 and 16). Both times they were eliminated via this vote, it was in the Quarterfinals.