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Season 12

Season 12 of America's Got Talent premiered on May 30, 2017. The entire judging panel from Season 11 returned.

Dunkin' Donuts continued to be the official beverage sponsor of this season, having its products shown throughout the show and their cups on the judges' desks.

On February 16, 2017, Nick Cannon announced that he left the show. Tyra Banks took his place, becoming the show's first female host.

Judging Panel

Howie Mandel Mel B Heidi Klum Simon Cowell

Guest Judges

Chris Hardwick DJ Khaled Laverne Cox Seal

Host

Tyra Banks

Episodes

Main article: Season 12 Episodes

Acts

Main article: Season 12 Acts

Auditions

Main article: Season 12 Auditions

Each act that performed in front of the judges was given 90 seconds to demonstrate their talents for the four judges. If an act received at least three "Yes" votes from the judges, they were accepted to the next round. Otherwise, they were eliminated from the competition.

Judge Cuts

Main article: Season 12 Judge Cuts

80 acts were pulled from the 100+ acts that were accepted by the judges in the Auditions. The Judge Cuts took place over four days; every day, 20 acts performed with only 7 moving on to the Quarterfinals.

Joining the main judging panel were four guest judges. While each regular judge was given a normal buzzer, each guest had only a Golden Buzzer which he or she could press to send an act to the live shows without further deliberation as one of the 7 acts.

Two acts were eliminated in the Judge Cuts but later brought back to the competition in the Quarterfinals.

Symbol Meaning
Standing Ovation
Buzzer
Golden Buzzer

Week 1

Name Act Howie Mel B Chris Heidi Simon Result
1. Sara and Hero Dog Act Moved On
2. The Baker Family Bluegrass Band Eliminated
3. Mariachi Nuevo Santander Mariachi Band Eliminated
4. The Masqueraders Vocal Trio Moved On
5. Eric Jennifer Comedian Eliminated
6. Harrison Greenbaum Comedian Eliminated
7. Dancing Pumpkin Man Dancer Eliminated
8. Tom London Magician Eliminated
9. Eric Jones Magician Moved On
10. Angelica Hale Singer Moved On (GB)
11. Danylo and Oskar Acrobat Duo Eliminated
12. Lera and Nika Tomanova Aerial Duo Eliminated
13. Yosein Chi Hand Balancer Eliminated
14. Darcy Callus Singer and Keyboardist Eliminated
15. Carlos De Antonis Opera Singer Eliminated
16. Canion Shijirbat Multimedia Dancer Eliminated
17. Just Jerk Dance Group Moved On
18. Maw Kitty Singer Eliminated
19. The Singing Trump Singer Moved On
20. Demian Aditya Escape Artist Moved On

Week 2

Name Act Howie Mel B DJ Khaled Heidi Simon Result
1. Sammulous Singer Eliminated
2. Steven Scott Comedian Eliminated
3. The Quiddlers Puppeteer Group Eliminated
4. Str8jacket Dance Group Eliminated
5. Solto & T Dot Dance Duo Eliminated
6. Junior and Emily Salsa Duo Moved On
7. Jokgu and Aichan Chicken Act Eliminated
8. Dakota Striplin Singer and Guitarist Eliminated
9. Chase Goehring Singer and Guitarist Moved On (GB)
10. Azeri Brothers Danger Duo Eliminated
11. The Godfathers Acrobatic Group Eliminated
12. Tulga Strongman Eliminated
13. Mirror Image Vocal Duo Moved On
14. Evie Clair Singer Moved On
15. Kyle Eschen Magician Eliminated
16. Xavier Mortimer Magician Eliminated
17. Colin Cloud Mentalist Moved On
18. Pelican212 Family Band Eliminated
19. Puddles Pity Party Singing Clown Moved On
20. Yoli Mayor Singer Moved On

Week 3

Name Act Howie Mel B Laverne Heidi Simon Result
1. Oscar Hernandez Dancer Moved On
2. Tony and Jordan Magicians Eliminated
3. The Naked Magicians Magicians Eliminated
4. Jeki Yoo Magician Eliminated
5. Herbie Russ Singer and Saxophonist Eliminated
6. Mike Yung Singer Moved On
7. 5 Alive Boy Band Eliminated
8. Final Draft Vocal Group Eliminated (WC)
9. Brobots & Mandroidz Dance Group Moved On
10. Marisa McKaye Singer and Guitarist Eliminated
11. Celine Tam Singer Moved On (GB)
12. Aileen George Pole Dancer Eliminated
13. Shemika Charles Limbo Dancer Eliminated
14. Jay Jay Phillips Keyboardist Eliminated
15. Diavolo Acrobatic Group Moved On
16. Jonathan Rinny Balancing Acrobat Eliminated
17. Bello Nock Daredevil Eliminated (WC)
18. Daniel Ferguson Singing Impressionist Eliminated
19. Preacher Lawson Comedian Moved On
20. Billy & Emily England Rollerblade Duo Moved On

Week 4

Name Act Howie Mel B Seal Heidi Simon Result
1. Artyon & Paige Dance Duo Moved On
2. Britt Saasen Singer Eliminated
3. In The Stairwell A Cappella Group Moved On
4. Will Tsai Magician Eliminated
5. Henry Richardson Magician Eliminated
6. Elena and Sasha Acrobat Duo Eliminated
7. Lost Legends Dance Group Eliminated
8. Nick Uhas Scientist Eliminated
9. Veronica Gonzalez Foot Puppeteer Eliminated
10. Sirqus Alfon Digital Comedy Trio Eliminated
11. DaNell Daymon & Greater Works Gospel Choir Moved On
12. Pompeyo Family Dogs Dog Act Moved On
13. Johnny Manuel Singer Moved On (GB)
14. Maria Popazova Aerialist Eliminated
15. Maxim Popazov Hand Balancer Eliminated
16. German Cornejo Dance Company Dance Group Eliminated
17. The Honeybee-z Plus Dance Group Eliminated
18. Merrick Hanna Dancer Moved On
19. Kechi Singer Moved On

Quarterfinals

Main article: Season 12 Quarterfinals

From the 36 Quarterfinalists, 12 acts performed each week over three weeks. Each week, 7 acts moved onto the Semifinals

The contestants that came in sixth, seventh, and eighth place in America's Vote fought for votes online in the Dunkin' Save. The act who received the most votes earned a spot in the Semifinals. The judges voted between the two remaining acts the last spot of the week in the Semifinals.

One act was eliminated in the Quarterfinals but later brought back to the competition in the Semifinals.

Symbol Meaning
Standing Ovation
Buzzer
Judges' Choice Vote

Week 1

Name Act Howie Mel B Heidi Simon Result
1. Christian Guardino Singer Moved On (DS)
2. Artyon & Paige Dance Duo Eliminated
3. In The Stairwell A Cappella Group Moved On
4. The Singing Trump Singer Eliminated
5. Angelica Hale Singer Moved On
6. Bello Nock Daredevil Eliminated
7. Just Jerk Dance Group Eliminated (JC)
8. Puddles Pity Party Singing Clown Eliminated
9. Preacher Lawson Comedian Moved On
10. Yoli Mayor Singer Moved On (JC)
11. Billy & Emily England Rollerblade Duo Moved On
12. Darci Lynne Singing Ventriloquist Moved On


Week 2

Name Act Howie Mel B Heidi Simon Result
1. Brobots & Mandroidz Dance Group Eliminated
2. Celine Tam Singer Moved On
3. Mirror Image Vocal Duo Eliminated
4. Johnny Manuel Singer Moved On
5. Merrick Hanna Dancer Moved On
6. Eric Jones Magician Moved On (JC)
7. The Masqueraders Vocal Trio Eliminated (JC)
8. Light Balance Light-Up Dance Group Moved On
9. Evie Clair Singer Moved On (DS)
10. Demian Aditya Escape Artist Eliminated
11. The Pompeyo Family Dog Act Eliminated (WC)
12. Mandy Harvey Singer and Ukulelist Moved On


Week 3

Name Act Howie Mel B Heidi Simon Result
1. DaNell Daymon & Greater Works Gospel Choir Moved On (JC)
2. Junior & Emily Alabi Salsa Duo Eliminated
3. Final Draft Vocal Group Eliminated
4. Oscar Hernandez Dancer Eliminated
5. Angelina Green Singer Eliminated (JC)
6. Colin Cloud Mentalist Moved On (DS)
7. Mike Yung Singer Moved On
8. Oskar and Gaspar Videomapping Act Eliminated
9. Sara and Hero Dog Act Moved On
10. Chase Goehring Singer Moved On
11. Diavolo Acrobatic Group Moved On
12. Kechi Singer Moved On

Semifinals

Main article: Season 12 Semifinals

From the 22 Semifinalists, 11 acts performed each week over two weeks. Each week, 5 acts moved onto the Finals.

The contestants that came in fourth, fifth, and sixth place in America's Vote fought for votes online in the Dunkin' Save. The act who received the most votes earned a spot in the Finals. The judges voted between the two remaining acts the last spot of the week in the Finals.

Symbol Meaning
Standing Ovation
Judges' Choice Vote

Week 1

Name Act Howie Mel B Heidi Simon Result
1. Yoli Mayor Singer Eliminated
2. Eric Jones Magician Eliminated (JC)
3. DaNell Daymon & Greater Works Gospel Choir Eliminated
4. Preacher Lawson Comedian Moved On
5. Johnny Manuel Singer Eliminated
6. Billy & Emily England Rollerblade Duo Eliminated
7. Evie Clair Singer Moved On (DS)
8. Sara and Hero Dog Act Moved On
9. Chase Goehring Singer and Guitarist Moved On (JC)
10. Darci Lynne Singing Ventriloquist Moved On
11. Mike Yung Singer Eliminated


Week 2

Name Act Howie Mel B Heidi Simon Result
1. Celine Tam Singer Eliminated
2. Colin Cloud Mentalist Eliminated (JC)
3. Christian Guardino Singer Eliminated
4. In The Stairwell A Cappella Group Eliminated
5. Merrick Hanna Dancer Eliminated
6. Mandy Harvey Singer Moved On
7. The Pompeyo Family Dog Act Eliminated
8. Diavolo Acrobatic Group Moved On (JC)
9. Kechi Singer Moved On (DS)
10. Light Balance Light-Up Dance Group Moved On
11. Angelica Hale Singer Moved On

Finals

Main article: Season 12 Finals

All 10 remaining acts performed to win one million dollars and the headlining of a show on the Las Vegas strip.

Symbol Meaning
Standing Ovation
Name Act Howie Mel B Heidi Simon Result
1. Angelica Hale Singer 2nd Place
2. Chase Goehring Singer Top 10
3. Sara and Hero Dog Act 5th Place
4. Diavolo Acrobatic Group Top 10
5. Evie Clair Singer Top 10
6. Preacher Lawson Comedian Top 10
7. Kechi Singer Top 10
8. Darci Lynne Singing Ventriloquist Winner
9. Mandy Harvey Singer and Ukulelist 4th Place
10. Light Balance Light-Up Dance Group 3rd Place

Notable past contestants

  • Johnny Manuel, who made it all the way to the Semifinals, was chosen to be part of the 5-member group Equinox that represented Bulgaria at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon, Portugal with the song "Bones". The group finished in 14th place in the grand final.  Manuel later participated in series 9 of The Voice of Australia, where he placed in the top 4.  He is currently competing on the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars.

Trivia

  • Brandon Leake auditioned for this season, but his initial audition was rejected by the producers.  He later auditioned for Season 15, getting the Golden Buzzer from Howie Mandel and went on to win the competition.


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