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A New AGT Champion
The winner of America’s Got Talent season 20 has been announced – Jessica Sanchez.
The 25-year-old singer gave birth to her career baby at the annual live finale of the NBC talent show, winning the $1 million prize and national exposure on Sept. 24.
“I am very emotional at the moment,” Jessica told the audience after she had won. “This is incredible, thank you very much, America.”
The Road to Victory
America’s Got Talent season 20 top 10 was finally decided after many weeks of fierce competition. The finalists were rapper Mama Duke, aerialists Sirca Marea, rapper Micah Palace, light-up dance crew LightWire, musician Steve Ray Ladson, dance group Team Recycled, singer Jourdan Blue, the Leo High School Choir, and improv rapper Chris Turner. On their final night, Sept. 23, these 10 acts performed their amazing, last shows, competing for the fans’ votes, which are so important. But it was the fantastic singing of Jessica Sanchez that counted the most, taking her to the final victory.
Tom Sandoval’s AGT Journey
This season, another highly recognizable and therefore, easily recallable face was Vanderpump Rules ex-Tom Sandoval, who along with his band, decided to go for an America’s Got Talent (AGT) audition.
After their June audition, the Bravolebrity and his crew got a lot of buzz, as they hooked up with the judges a fun and energetic cover of A-ha’s ’80s classic “Take on Me.” “You made me smile,” Mel B praised. “You gave me happy vibes. And apart from that song being one of my favorite songs, you all look like you were fully enjoying yourself.”
But the band didn’t get the same reception when they returned for the semifinals with The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.” Their performance didn’t achieve the same level of success as the first one, and the band was sent off stage.
Mixed Reviews From the Judges
In fact, even the judges were unsure and had different opinions about Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras’ performance in the semifinals.
“I like Tom and I like the band,” Simon Cowell said during the Aug. 21 episode. “But you’re the ones who are judging the performance, and it did not sound good at all. It might be just me from the place where I sat but it didn’t sound well, I’m sorry.”
Sofía Vergara, however, was positive: “I love the band, the song. The sound could have been better, but this was very nice.”
The entire season of America’s Got Talent can be watched by the fans whenever they want on Peacock.
Do America’s Got Talent contestants audition for the first time in front of the judges?
No. Contestants go through several steps before facing the judges — season 20’s panel includes Howie Mandel, Mel B, Sofía Vergara, and Simon Cowell.
Theresa Graham, NBCUniversal’s director of unscripted formats, explained to NBC Insider in 2022: “We do open call auditions virtually to cover as many people as we can. Anyone can register and have an audition with our casting team and producers. If they feel that the person should be considered, they forward them to our executive producers. After getting their confirmation, the judge’s audition will be the next step for the act. We are all spectators at this point, seeing the outcome.”
Partners in crime may film a video audition, show up at a live open call, or hop on a virtual open call to land their moment.
For How Long Do Contestants Audition in America’s Got Talent?
It is better to be ready to perform your act within a certain time limit. The official audition rules state that at the producers’ open call each act is in general given one and a half minutes to present a short sample of their talent. But the main thing here, “producers may change audition durations at any moment,” remains to be very important.”
Is There Anything America’s Got Talent Contestants Can’t Bring to the Open Call Auditions?
Yeah — the restrictions list quite a few things that are prohibited. The contestants are allowed to perform fire acts at the open-call auditions; however, they are not permitted to use open flames or special rigging. Animal performers must also submit an Animal Information Form along with the animal’s vaccination records. Moreover, the initial rules highlight that irrespective of the avenue, dangerous or disruptive items such as fireworks, weapons, sharp objects, mace or pepper spray, as well as illicit drugs, alcohol, and coolers (unless for medical reasons) and props that could be combined with pyrotechnics are banned. These limitations have been implemented in order to ensure that the auditions are safe and manageable for everyone.
Does America’s Got Talent Cover Contestants’ Expenses to Audition in Front of the Judges?
Definitely — after the selection process, the program takes part in and pays for the contestants’ appearances before the judges. The official audition rules clarify that performers who have to travel a long distance will be given a plane ticket. However, those who live relatively close to the place of the audition can be given a bus or train ticket, or a gas reimbursement. Besides, the hotel expenses of the contestants’ stay are taken care of by the America’s Got Talent, and a daily allowance for food and other personal needs is given to the aspirants, so that they can concentrate on their performance without worrying about the money spent on the trip.
Do America’s Got Talent Contestants Get Their Hair and Makeup Done?
According to the America’s Got Talent audition guidelines, hair and makeup support are not provided for contestants during the judges audition round; however, competitors are still required to be “camera ready.” The show, in fact, offers these services to contestants for the following rounds. Besides that, Tonia Green, the makeup artist of AGT, posted on her Instagram that the hair and makeup team were there with “hundreds of contestants” for season 19.
Do America’s Got Talent Contestants Rehearse Their Acts Before the Show?
Of course, yes. A chance for the contestants to perform their acts in front of the camera during the rehearsals is what they are given — however, that is not the only practice they do.
In a YouTube video from 2024, Sofie Dossi, a three-time America’s Got Talent contestant, disclosed that “results rehearsal” is the other rehearsal that the participants are involved in. “I don’t know if you guys know this, but all the contestants have to do a results rehearsal,” she said. “It’s so everyone knows where to go if you’re booted off or if you make it through, and for the staff to figure out lighting and camera angles.”
Do the Winners of America’s Got Talent Get Their Money Right Away?
Not really. Though the grand prize for winning America’s Got Talent is $1 million, winners don’t get the full amount in a lump sum automatically.
According to the credits of the show, “The total prize of $1,000,000 is paid in a financial annuity over forty years, or the contestants may elect to receive the present value of such annuity.”
It means that if they choose the annuity, the amount will be $25,000 per year before taxes only — so the contestants have to make up their mind whether they want the prize money to be paid out over time or they prefer to receive a smaller immediate payment.
