Nene Royal won Season 21 of America’s Got Talent, securing the $1 million prize after edging out Geno Ploeger. NBC broadcast the finale on September 22, 2026, concluding a summer run that featured live shows with guest judges while Simon Cowell recovered from back surgery.
The Season 21 Finale and Top Ten Acts
The competition reached its conclusion on the NBC stage as the top 10 acts competed for the $1 million prize and the title of “AGT Champion.” Alongside the winner Nene Royal and runner-up Geno Ploeger, the Top 10 finalists were Acro Canine Crew, Come Here Dance, Olivia Befus, Royal Lasers, Veronika Goroshkova, Hundred Fingers, Lai Noelle, and Unitree. Royal Lasers, Hundred Fingers, Veronika Goroshkova, Nene Royal and Geno Ploeger made up the Top 5.
Four of those finalists secured their spots directly through the judges during the quarterfinals. Korean magician group Hundred Fingers, teenage singer Lai Noelle, Thai guitarist Nene Royal, and Chinese robot dance group Unitree earned Live Golden Buzzers to advance straight to the final stage. The other six acts earned their spot by placing in the top three of America’s vote during the quarterfinals and in the top six in the semifinals: Canadian dancing dog group Acro Canine Crew, Korean dance crew Come Here, magician Geno Ploeger from Arizona, dog trainer Olivia Befus from Michigan, light-up dancers Royal Lasers from Las Vegas, and aerialist Veronika Goroshkova also from Las Vegas.
How Guest Judges Filled Simon Cowell’s Absence
AGTkicked off Season 21 back in June, with judge Simon Cowell welcoming USA TODAY into his home to discuss the season ahead. This year, more than ever, I wanted to see things we'd never seen before, and better,he said of finding new talent each year. We say, 'What are you going to do?' And they go, 'Trust me, you've never seen this before.' And that's always a great way to start. Because I can't bear seeing worse versions of what we've already seen. That's, for me, a waste of time.
The live shows proceeded without Cowell, who had to miss out on the remainder of the “AGT” season due to a routine back surgery. Host Terry Crews addressed the empty seat during the August 25 episode, explaining to viewers that the procedure could not be postponed.
“He’s having an operation that cannot be postponed. It’s not an emergency, but it can’t be put off. Simon, we are sending you our very best wishes for a speedy recovery, and we’re looking forward to seeing you back at the judges desk very soon.”
Terry Crews, host
While Cowell recovered at home, a rotating panel of guest stars filled his seat along with judges Mel B, Howie Mandel and Sofía Vergara for the remainder of the live shows and semifinals. The substitute judges included Saturday Night Live
star Kenan Thompson, model and former “AGT” judge Heidi Klum, and YouTuber KSI, who also sat in for Simon during the finale.
Final Performances and Judges Reactions
The final broadcast brought high-stakes showcases across various performance genres. Ahead of their final performance, Royal Lasers was invited by AGT alums Light Balance to serve as an opening act in their Vegas show, inspiring them to go bigger on stage with a space cowboy-themed showcase of the songs “Everybody” and “One More Time. Howie Mandel acknowledged
how much workgoes into their act, Sofía Vergara called them
one of the most fun actsof the season because they're always
mesmerizing,” and KSI teased that he didn’t like the performance, he loved it.
Because they traveled across the world to compete on the AGT stage, the members of Come Here prepared their performance to Look What You Made Me Do.
Vergara stated she didn’t understand how they could be so synchronized and suggested they are ready to perform at the Super Bowl, Mel B called them “unique” and “creative,KSI loved what he saw in their
substantial performance,and Howie reiterated that they're his favorite
human.”
Having received two Golden Buzzers through the competition, 14-year-old Lai Noelle performed the Bruno Mars ballad “Risk It All. Mel B likened Lai's talent to that of Whitney Houston, KSI said he's
perplexedby how her voice was nothing like he expected, and Howie acknowledged her
incredible talent beyondher years while advising her to
have more fun” because the over thought out
aspect of her approach takes away from her talent.
Veronika Goroshkova performed her aerial act from high above the judges on a spinning pole and concluded on stage with a death drop surrounded by a ring of fire, after receiving a surprise visit from her mother during rehearsals. Vergara declared that she gets better and better,
Howie called out her athletic ability and strength, Mel B admitted that she pulled out all the stops tonight,
and KSI was impressed that she was dangerous, fierce, scary
all in one.
Acro Canine Crew faced a setback when their main trainer couldn’t participate, forcing last-minute changes to their 80s-themed final performance. KSI told the group that they got the dog in all of you,
Howie said that they’re not a dog act, they’re a dog show, Mel B noted they are “so fun” and “so enjoyable,and Vergara shared that it makes her sad the season is coming to an end because she wants to keep seeing them perform.
America’s Got Talent” Season 21 is streaming on Peacock.
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