AGT Contestants 2026: Every Act to Know From America’s Got Talent Season 21

Season 21 is four audition episodes deep and already one of the strongest starts in recent AGT history. All 10 Golden Buzzers have now been awarded — with acts ranging from a 14-year-old Texas singer to a 10-person magic group to an army sergeant on leave. Here’s every contestant worth knowing, plus a full Wikipedia-style table of all acts that have aired so far.

Season 21 at a Glance

NetworkNBC

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PremiereJune 2, 2026

HostTerry Crews (8th season)

JudgesSimon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara, Mel B

Golden Buzzers10 total (2 per judge + 2 for host) — all awarded by Ep. 4

New twistJudges’ Callbacks round (acts with 3 yes votes get a second audition)

Live shows beginAugust 18, 2026

FinaleSeptember 23, 2026

Prize$1 million + Las Vegas headlining show

Golden Buzzer Acts — Direct to the Live Shows

This season each judge and host Terry Crews holds two Golden Buzzers — ten total. Every Golden Buzzer act skips the Judges’ Callbacks round and goes straight to the live quarterfinals. All ten were used up by Episode 4, making this one of the fastest Golden Buzzer deployments in the show’s history.

⭐ Golden Buzzer

Simon Cowell · EP. 1

Lai Noelle

Singer · Texas, USA

A 14-year-old with a voice that stopped the room. Her performance of “Die On This Hill” by Sienna Spiro was controlled, deep, and emotionally mature far beyond her age. Cowell tricked Vergara out of pressing the buzzer and hit it himself. Already the most talked-about act of the season.📷@lainoelle

⭐ Golden Buzzer

Terry Crews · EP. 1

Acro Canine Crew

Dog Act + Dance · Edmonton, Canada

An acrobatic dance troupe of women and girls aged 7–21, with dogs of every size stealing the show. Vergara nearly ran to the buzzer twice — Crews beat her both times, sprinting down from the stage. The season’s undisputed crowd-favourite variety act.📷@acrodogsofficial

⭐ Golden Buzzer

Howie Mandel · EP. 1

Luke Taleno

Rapper · Hialeah, Florida

Born in Cuba, raised in Florida. Childhood leukemia survivor who busked on South Beach to hone his craft. He sat in the AGT audience in Season 20 and told Howie to look out for him — then came back and delivered on the promise with his original rap “Seat to Stage.” Real name Luis Rojas.📷@luketaleno

⭐ Golden Buzzer

Sofía Vergara · EP. 2

Lara D (Lara Dabbagh)

Singer · Sydney, Australia

The Sydney native previously auditioned twice for The Voice Australia, making the Top 12 in Season 8. Her performance of Raye’s “Oscar Winning Tears” had both Vergara and Mandel fighting to hit the buzzer — Vergara got there first. One of the most emotional moments of the auditions.📷@laradabbagh

⭐ Golden Buzzer

Howie Mandel · EP. 2

Hundred Fingers

Magic Group · International

A 10-person magic collective formed by AGT Season 17 finalist and Fantasy League alum Yu Hojin. Their intricately choreographed sleight-of-hand routines play like a magic heist unfolding in real time. Cowell called it one of the best magic acts he’d ever seen. Howie and Terry raced for the buzzer — Howie won by a step.📷@yuhojin_official

⭐ Golden Buzzer

Mel B · EP. 3

Isaac Atkins

Singer · Lewiston, Maine

An Army sergeant who took leave to audition. He sang Måneskin’s “Beggin'” with old-school soul energy. Described the AGT stage as scarier than jumping from a plane at 18,000 feet. His soldiers had been urging him to try out after seeing his in-car singing videos on social media.📷@isaac_atkins417

⭐ Golden Buzzer

Simon Cowell · EP. 4

Rubén Roldán Bustos

Parkour · Spain

Simon’s second and final Golden Buzzer of the auditions. A parkour specialist whose performance included an extraordinary one-legged sequence that left the judges visibly stunned. Cowell — who started the season by going first — ended his Golden Buzzer run on an equally decisive note.Instagram TBC

⭐ Golden Buzzer

Mel B · EP. 4

Mackenzie Sol

Singer · England, UK

Mackenzie first performed for Simon Cowell on The X Factor at age four — 21 years later, he’s back. His silky cover of Sombr’s “back to friends” made Mel B jump to press her final Golden Buzzer before anyone else could react. Already has 2 million Instagram followers.📷@mackenziesol

⭐ Golden Buzzer

Terry Crews · EP. 2

Luke Taleno (2nd Terry GB)

— see above —

Note: Per confirmed reports, Terry used his remaining buzzer on another act — details updating as verified. The acts above represent all 8 confirmed Golden Buzzers through Episode 4. Two more were awarded via Terry’s second and Sofia’s second (see table below).

Full Contestant Table — Season 21 Auditions (Eps. 1–4)

All acts that appeared on camera through Episode 4 (June 23, 2026), sorted by episode. Golden Buzzer acts are highlighted. Instagram handles included where verified.

⭐ = Golden Buzzer (direct to live shows)  ·  ✓ = Judges advanced to next round  ·  ✗ = Eliminated at auditions. Table will be updated weekly.

Non-Golden Buzzer Acts Worth Watching

These acts advanced on yes votes and will head into the new Judges’ Callbacks round, where they get one more shot to earn a live show spot before deliberations close.

• Kev Adams French comedian who had only recently learned English before his audition — his whole bit is about the American experience seen from an outsider. Got a full standing ovation. The season’s best pure comedy act so far.
• Community ATL Choir Simon called it “one of the best choirs we’ve seen in years.” All four judges gave yes votes without hesitation, which is rarer than it sounds in auditions.
• Tyrone & Margo A husband-and-wife knife-throwing and archery duo. Margo has 30% vision in one eye after an on-stage accident two years ago. They came back anyway. The judges were floored.
• Young & Strange UK illusion and comedy duo who turned the audition into an interactive experience. Strong audience chemistry and a clear sense of showmanship that stood out in Episode 3.
• Patrox German dancer whose routine was engineered to be watched in reverse. The judges had no idea what was coming until the reveal. One of the cleverest concepts of the season.
• LaRussell Roc Nation-signed rapper backed by a live band. Performed at the 2025 NBA All-Star Halftime show and the Super Bowl LX tailgate. Serious pedigree walking into an audition.
• Olivia Befus 17-year-old dog trainer with two dogs — including a Whippet, notoriously difficult to train. Cowell praised the choice. Mel B loved that the dogs were visibly having fun. Strong family-appeal act.

How AGT Season 21 Works — What’s New

Season 21 introduces the Judges’ Callbacks round — a first in the show’s history. Here’s the full competition flow:

Auditions (now through ~late July): Acts perform for the judges. Three or more yes votes = advance. A Golden Buzzer = skip directly to live shows.

Judges’ Callbacks (new for 2026): Acts that got through on yes votes — but not a Golden Buzzer — get one more performance in front of the judges before they decide who fills the remaining live show spots. Simon Cowell described it as pulling back the curtain on how the show actually makes its decisions.

Live Quarterfinals (from August 18): The top 44 acts compete in four weeks of live shows, two episodes per week (performance Tuesday, results Wednesday). America votes. One act per week receives a live Golden Buzzer from the judges, going straight to the Finals.

Semifinals & Finals: The season wraps with a winner revealed on September 23, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the AGT 2026 contestants?

America’s Got Talent Season 21 is still in auditions (through mid-summer 2026). The eight confirmed Golden Buzzer acts so far are Lai Noelle, Acro Canine Crew, Luke Taleno, Lara D, Hundred Fingers, Isaac Atkins, Rubén Roldán Bustos, and Mackenzie Sol. Dozens more have advanced on judges’ votes and will compete in the new Callbacks round.

Who got a Golden Buzzer on AGT Season 21?

All ten Golden Buzzers were used by Episode 4. Simon Cowell chose Lai Noelle and Rubén Roldán Bustos. Terry Crews chose Acro Canine Crew (and his second buzzer has been awarded — details updating). Howie Mandel chose Luke Taleno and Hundred Fingers. Sofía Vergara chose Lara D. Mel B chose Isaac Atkins and Mackenzie Sol.

When do the AGT 2026 live shows start?

The live Quarterfinals begin August 18, 2026 on NBC. Results shows air Wednesdays. The finale and winner reveal is scheduled for September 23, 2026.

Who are the judges on AGT Season 21?

All four judges from Season 20 are back: Simon Cowell (11th season), Howie Mandel (17th season), Sofía Vergara (7th season), and Mel B (8th season). Terry Crews returns as host for his eighth consecutive year, tying the record set by Nick Cannon.

What is the Judges’ Callbacks round?

New for Season 21, the Judges’ Callbacks gives acts that received three yes votes — but no Golden Buzzer — one more audition before judges finalize the live show lineup. It airs between the end of auditions and the start of the live quarterfinals, making the selection process more transparent than in past seasons.

Where can I watch AGT Season 21?

New episodes air every Tuesday at 8/7c on NBC. Episodes stream the following day on Peacock at any membership level.

Last updated: June 25, 2026 · Through Episode 4 · Source: NBC, AGT Wiki, TVInsider, Parade, EntertainmentNow

AGT 2026America’s Got Talent Season 21AGT ContestantsGolden BuzzerNBC Reality TVLai NoelleMackenzie SolLuke Taleno