Since the concept of theAmerica's Got TalentGolden Buzzer was introduced in Season 9, it instantly upped the stakes of the competition. And while its rules have changed slightly over the years, one thing remains the same: When a Judge decides to use their single Golden Buzzer of the season, that chosen Act automatically advances to the next round of the competition—no questions asked.
How to Watch
Watch the Season 19 premiere of America’s Got Talent Tuesday, May 28 at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peaco*ck.
It's this fact that has turned the honor into one of the most coveted and joyous moments of AGT. Many recipients go on to advance to the final round, but only a select group have actually won the entire show and that $1 million grand prize. So in 16 seasons, who are those Acts? We've listed every singleAmerica's Got TalentGolden Buzzer winner, below.
The Mayyas, Season 17
Sofia Vergara awarded her Golden Buzzer to the Lebanese dance crew, telling them,“There are no words to explain to you how we were feeling over here. It was the most beautiful creative dancing I’ve ever seen. I would be so honored to empower you even more in this journey because you deserve it, and I want to be a part of this.” The group went on to win the season.
Paul Zerdin, Season 10
Photo: Dave Kutinsky/Getty
Guest Judge Marlon Wayans awarded Zerdin with the Golden Buzzer during Judge cuts. This made the ventriloquist the first-everAGTAct to win after receiving the honor.
Grace VanderWaal, Season 11
Howie Mandel used his season's Golden Buzzer on Grace VanderWaal following her impressive audition. Then 12 years old, she performed an original song (accompanied by her ukulele). The moment went viral and is the second most-watched video on theAGTYouTube account.
Darci Lynne, Season 12
Lynne's audition melted then-Judge Mel B.'s heart, and the 12-year-old was automatically advanced to the Quarterfinals. She became the first (and youngest) female ventriloquist to win the show and would go on to take second place onAGT: The Champions.
Kodi Lee, Season 13
During his emotional audition, Kodi Lee—who is blind and autistic—blew the fans and Judges away with his powerful piano and vocal performance. The Golden Buzzer instantly advanced him to the live shows.
Brandon Leake, Season 14
Leake madeAGThistory when Howie Mandel pressed his Golden Buzzer. He is the show's first poet to earn the coveted honor and the series' only poet to ever take home the grand prize.
America's Got TalentSeason 17premieres Tuesday, May 31 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
FAQs
Grace VanderWaal (season 11), Darcy Lynne Farmer (season 12), Kodi Lee (season 14), Brandon Leake (season 15) and the Mayyas (season 17) also received Golden Buzzers and went on to claim victories in their respective seasons.
Has anyone who got Golden buzzer won America's Got Talent? ›
In Season 10, Ventriloquist Paul Zerdin was the first contestant to get a Golden Buzzer and go on to win the whole season. Other winners like Grace VanderWaal, Darci Lynne, Kodi Lee, Brandon Leake, and Mayyas were also showered in gold confetti.
Who pressed the golden buzzer in 2024? ›
On April 20, 2024, Ssaulabi Performance Troupe received the golden buzzer from Ant and Dec. Judge Bruno Tonioli praised the group: "The power, the beauty, the artistry. "It blows everything else I've seen out of the water." Alesha Dixon said their "discipline hard work and dedication" had "paid off".
Who is the most famous person to win America's got talent? ›
Terry Fator has been one of the most successful winners in “AGT” history, with his singing ventriloquist impressions act finding great popularity in Las Vegas. In 2008 he signed a five-year deal with the Mirage on the Las Vegas Strip, where he performed on a nightly basis.
Who is the most successful non winner of America's Got Talent? ›
Please lmk if I forgot anyone!
- JabbaWockeeZ, season 2 - have appeared on many reality and awards shows, have had headlining shows in Vegas, have reappeared to perform on AGT twice, and competed in the first season of “World of Dance”
- Issac Ryan Brown, season 7 - stars as Booker in Disney Channel's “Raven's Home”
Following the conclusion of the fourth season, David Hasselhoff left the program, and was replaced by Howie Mandel.
Who won Canada's Got Talent 2024? ›
Rebecca Strong won the third season of Canada's Got Talent, claiming the $1 million top prize in the televised competition.
Who are the judges on AGT 2024? ›
However, as we've seen as the season gets further and further along, Judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara are getting harder and harder to impress.
How much did Sofia Vergara make on AGT? ›
How much does Sofía Vergara make per episode? Based on the $10 million she reportedly makes per season of America's Got Talent, Vergara makes about $400,000 per episode for a 25-episode season. On Modern Family, Vergara reportedly made about $500,000 per episode at its peak.
What has Sofia Vergara won? ›
People's Choice Awards, USA
- 2020 Winner People's Choice Award. Favorite Comedy TV Star. ...
- 2020 Nominee People's Choice Award. Favorite Female TV Star. ...
- 2018 Nominee People's Choice Award. Favorite Comedy TV Star. ...
- 2017 Winner People's Choice Award. Favorite Comedic TV Actress.
- 2016 Nominee People's Choice Award.
Comedy singer Jon Courtenay was crowned the winner of the 2020 series! Jon was a favourite from his very first audition, picking up Ant and Dec's Golden Buzzer!
How many Golden buzzer America's got talent? ›
This means a total of nine Acts will receive the coveted honor (Host Terry Crews will only award one) and be automatically sent to Live Shows, which begin airing Tuesday, August 13 at 8/7c. “When we first got note of the Golden Buzzer, originally, I thought, 'Wow! '” Howie Mandel told Us.
Do you get money if you get a golden buzzer? ›
The competition is judged by Canadian performers Howie Mandel, Lilly Singh, Kardinal Offishall and Trish Stratus. Each judge can give out one golden buzzer each season, and Singh gave hers to Strong. It comes with $25,000 from CIBC and a direct entry to the live shows.
What happens to golden buzzer winners? ›
During auditions, each judge is allowed to use the Golden Buzzer to send an act automatically into the live shows, regardless of the opinion of the other judges. When it was initially used, the buzzer simply saved an act from elimination.
