“America’s Got Talent” reveals season 21 winner — see who won the $1 million prize
“America’s Got Talent” reveals season 21 winner — see who won the $1 million prize
Raechal ShewfeltThu, September 24, 2026 at 4:37 AM UTC
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‘America’s Got Talent’ judges Howie Mandel, KSI, Mel B, and Sofia VergaraCredit: Trae Patton/NBCKey Points -
America’s Got Talent revealed the winner of season 21 on Wednesday.
Guest stars included last season’s winner, singer Jessica Sanchez, and other celebrities.
The winner is walking away from the season with fame and the $1 million prize.
America’s Got Talenthas awarded the season 21 title and a $1 million prize to rocker Nene Royal.
The 16-year-old from Phuket, Thailand, was the choice of voters in a season filled with dog dancers, danger acts, magicians, and more.
Royal fell to the stage when her name was called just seconds before the show ended.
The teenager was beloved by the judges from the moment she appeared on the show’s stage back in July. Back then, she presented as quiet and perhaps shy before launching into a powerhouse performance of the Cranberries’ song “Zombie,” which starred her screams and her guitar.
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Judge Sofia Vergara told her then, “You have a very good chance to do really good in this competition. I loved it.”
Howie Mandel called her a “rockstar,” which she’d said was her dream.
Mel B and Simon Cowell, who was absent for the finale and temporarily replaced by KSI, lauded her too.
On Tuesday night’s episode, her last chance to perform ahead of voting, Royal performed The White Stripes’ hit “Seven Nation Army.”
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Before Royal’s win was announced, her competitors were eliminated one at a time, staring with dancers Come Here, dog acts Olivia Befus and Acro Canine Crew, singer Lai Noelle, and robot dance act Unitree were cut from the 10 remaining performers.
As for the other five finalists, aerialist Veronika Goroshkova came in fifth place; dance laser act Royal Lasers came in fourth; magic group Hundred Fingers ended up in third; and magician Geno Ploeger was the runner-up.
Before the big secret was revealed, viewers saw several special performances, including Royal with Linkin Park, Ploeger with AGT’s 2014 winner Mat Franco, aerialist Veronika Goroshkova with Josh Groban, and more.
Jessica Sanchez, the singer who won AGT last season, performed with Lai Noelle. Sanchez said that she’s now released an album, sold out her first concert in the Philippines, and had the chance to travel the world with the baby girl she welcomed just after she won.
The ‘America’s Got Talent’ finale resultsCredit: Trae Patton/NBC
Mel B had given the contestants one final piece of advice before the top five were announced.
“I want to say to everybody tonight, you are all true winners. To have made it this far. Millions of people have seen you, so no matter what happens tonight, keep the faith, keep doing what you do. And well done!”
One of them, Hundred Fingers, has even more, after Mandel repeated his promise from Tuesday to underwrite their show in Las Vegas.
“I just want to say something,” Mandel said, “Hundred Fingers, I’m going to put my money where my mouth is or my mouth where my money is. You are gonna be in Vegas. I’m gonna produce you. I’m gonna pay for it.”
He told people to look for the act.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
