7 AGT contestants who didn’t win but found massive success after the show

The JabbaWockeeZ were eliminated during the Las Vegas round of America’s Got Talent Season 2, but that setback did not slow them down. The masked hip-hop dance crew later won America’s Best Dance Crew in 2008 and rose to national fame. Today, they continue entertaining audiences with their long-running production, TIMELESS, performed nightly at their theater inside MGM Grand Las Vegas.

Jackie Evancho impressed America’s Got Talent viewers at just 10 years old with her powerful operatic performances, finishing as the Season 5 runner-up behind Michael Grimm. Although she missed out on the top prize, she went on to build a thriving classical music career. Since the show, Evancho has released 15 albums and EPs and continues to draw audiences with her annual holiday concert tours.

Melissa Villaseñor first gained attention on America’s Got Talent Season 6 with her impressive celebrity impressions, reaching the semifinals before being eliminated. She continued developing her comedy career and landed a spot on Saturday Night Live in 2016, remaining on the show until 2022. Since leaving SNL, she has built a successful voice-acting career, contributing to projects including Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight and the films Hoppers and Toy Story 5.

English comedian and magician John van der Put, better known for performing in a dragon costume, reached the Top 10 on America’s Got Talent Season 10. While he jokingly refers to himself as “the loser of AGT,” his career tells a different story. He has found major success in Las Vegas, where he headlines his own popular show at the Flamingo Showroom.

Broadway performer Brian Justin Crum finished fourth on America’s Got Talent Season 11 and later returned for both AGT: The Champions and AGT: Fantasy League. Since his original run, he has released multiple singles and an album while continuing his stage career. In 2025, he appeared as Annas in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl alongside Cynthia Erivo.

Sam Wills, known worldwide as Tape Face, reached the Top 10 on America’s Got Talent Season 11 with his silent comedy act. Following his success in the U.S., he appeared in AGT competitions across England, Canada, and France. He remains a popular live entertainer and continues performing residency shows in Las Vegas, including recent appearances at MGM Grand.

Troy James may have been eliminated during the Judge Cuts on America’s Got Talent Season 13, but he turned his unique contortion talents into a successful acting career. Known for his eerie physical performances, he has become a familiar face in the horror genre, appearing in projects such as Chucky, Channel Zero, Hellboy, and Robot Dracula.