'AGT' Season 17: How to watch show's finale and when will it air?
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: Season 17 of 'America's Got Talent' will be over before viewers can say "Golden Buzzer." The live performances for NBC's talent competition began on August 9, offering 55 artists one more chance to wow viewers before only 11 of them advance to the finale next month.
'AGT,' created by Simon Cowell, is one of the most well-known reality shows. The talent hunt, which is part of the 'Got Talent' series, allows competitors to demonstrate their abilities without any fixed categories. Unlike other televised competitions, there are no restrictions on what type of skill the performer may display or how old they must be. Several artists have gained popularity as a result of their one-of-a-kind performances, exhibiting their unique abilities that never fail to astound the spectators. Here's all you need to know about the 'AGT' Season 17 finale.
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Following the auditions, the 'AGT' judges reduced the number of participants from 130 to only 54. Viewers can vote for one more performer to fill the 55th position. Season 17 has reached the Qualifiers stage, in which these 55 performers battle for additional audience votes. For the next five weeks, 11 performers will play every Tuesday nights. The next night, fans may vote for their favorites until the results are revealed on Wednesday evenings. The two artists who receive the most votes each night will advance to the finals. Furthermore, the judges will select four eliminated acts to compete in an audience vote for the 11th position.
This season, the stakes and pressure are higher than ever. 'America's Got Talent' changed its structure dramatically by increasing the number of qualifiers acts from 36 to 55. Every Wednesday night, nine performers will be sent home. In a People interview, judge Simon Cowell stated that this adjustment makes the program "more exciting."
"Not knowing what’s going to happen until it happens, I think, makes it more exciting," the former 'American Idol' judge said. “Compared to where we were a year ago, where seven people went through per night, I didn’t feel there was much at stake if I’m being honest.”
‘AGT’ Season 17 finale date and time
On Tuesday, September 13, the Top 11 talents will perform one more time. The audience will then vote in preparation for the Season 17 finale of 'America's Got Talent' on Wednesday, September 14. NBC has not yet announced the roster for the evening's special guests and acts. One fortunate artist will win $1 million and a spot on "America's Got Talent Las Vegas LIVE" at the Luxor Hotel and Casino at the end of the results show. The two-night finale will begin at 8 p.m. ET.
Who made it to the ‘AGT’ finale (so far)
'America's Got Talent' is rapidly shrinking the field of competition, with only two out of 11 performers each week making it to the show's finale. Here's a look at who has so far made it to the finale.
Drake Milligan
Drake Milligan made it to the 'AGT' finale due to votes cast by the show's millions of fans. Mandel declared during Drake's audition, which has over 5 million views on YouTube, that the singer was the "new Elvis of country" with his own song 'Sounds Like Something I'd Do.' “I think that song’s a hit,” the 'AGT' judge added. “And I think that you’re a hit. You’re like the new Elvis of country. I think you’re going to break out from this particular song, this particular moment, on this particular night.” The vocalist from Fort Worth, Texas, who has been an Elvis fan since the age of seven, sang another original song, 'Kiss Goodbye All Night,' during the August 9 live event. Drake will release his first album on September 15 – a day after the two-part 'AGT' finale.
Avery Dixon
Saxophonist Avery Dixon was one of two performers voted through to the finale at the first live event, which aired on August 9. Avery claimed during his audition, which has received over 6 million views on YouTube, that he was ridiculed as a child because of his voice and looks, and that he eventually discovered the saxophone to be an avenue for him to escape all the criticism.
The 21-year-old Atlanta singer brought the hundreds in attendance — and the 'AGT' judges — to their feet with a stirring version of Otis Redding's 'Try a Little Tenderness' on the sax. “You need to be here, you’re supposed to be here,” 'AGT' judge Howie Mandel stated following Avery's performance. “And you will change the world." "When you play with your instrument, you play with your heart, and we feel it,” Heidi Klum remarked.
'AGT' host Terry Crews then awarded Dixon the Golden Buzzer, sending the saxophonist to the live performances, where he performed Stevie Wonder's 'Higher Ground' and received enough audience votes to go to the finale.
Yu Hojin
Despite the fact that 'AGT' judge Cowell told Yu Hojin "no" during the audition stage, the 29-year-old South Korean magician got enough audience votes to continue to the competition, 'AGT' revealed on August 17. Yu's audition, in which he performed tricks with a feather, has received over 2 million views on YouTube. The magician debuted in the semifinal round, transforming a piece of paper into things ranging from a Rubik's cube to a crayon. After the routine, Klum observed, "You have such a calm but elegant presence. Did you hypnotize us?” Yu, according to Sofia Vergara, made her "believe in magic."
Chapel Hart
'AGT' confirmed on August 17 that the country trio Chapel Hart had received enough audience votes to progress to the finals. The Mississippi trio received a Golden Buzzer from all the 'AGT' judges and host Crews, which has only happened once before on the show. Chapel Hart sang their own song 'You Can Have Him, Jolene,' a sort of sequel to the 1973 Dolly Parton hit 'Jolene,' for its audition, which has over 7 million views on YouTube. The trio played another original song, 'The Girls Are Back In Town,' in the semifinal round. Chapel Hart was inducted into CMT's Next Women of Country program in 2021, which has aided young female country singers such as Gabby Barrett and Kelsea Ballerini.
How to watch the performances and outcomes of the finale
Of course, the best way to watch the Season 17 live finale of 'America's Got Talent' is to watch it live on NBC. Those who are unable to tune in on Tuesday or Wednesday nights can watch the episodes on NBC's website or app. 'AGT' can also be seen on FuboTV, Peacock, and Hulu.
NBC broadcasts 'America's Got Talent' on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET