America’s Got Talent is getting very close to crowning a winner for season 20.
After weeks of competition, 10 acts will perform for America’s vote during the two-day finale, kicking off Tuesday, September 23, on NBC.
For host Terry Crews, he has enjoyed being part of so many life-changing journeys during a historic season.
“I’m there when they’re sick. They’re literally doubting whether they should go on,” Crews, 57, exclusively shared with Us Weekly after the semi-finals with Lavazza on September 16. “And then I’m there when they’re excited. I love to watch them blossom. … I love the camaraderie. I’m inspired. Watching the Leo High School Choir takes me back to my time, and I’m just so proud of all of them.”
Before judges Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Mel B and Howie Mandel share their feedback one last time, Us is giving fans a refresher of all the finalists. (Some were even able to tease what’s to come during finale week.)
America’s Got Talent airs on NBC Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Stream old episodes anytime on Peacock.
Improv Rapper Chris Turner
In his act, Turner finds a way to transform random audience suggestions into wildly entertaining raps.
“I’m a freestyle rapper, which means everything I do onstage is improvised. There’s no preparation,” Turner explained to Us. “There’s no pre-written lyrics. I could rap about the same thing 10 different ways. People are like, ‘Surely, you’ve rapped about a banana before.’ But I’ll do it differently every time. It’s a really silly thing to do in front of millions of people live, and I think that’s why people like it.”
Singer Jessica Sanchez
Twenty years after first appearing as a contestant on America’s Got Talent, Sanchez returned to the show for season 20.
While she may be nine months pregnant on finale night, Sanchez said she has been preparing for this life-changing moment.
“I like to be prepared — especially being so pregnant — I don’t want to stress myself out,” she told Us. “We have a song picked out and I’m hoping I can deliver it the best way I can for the finale.”
Singer Jourdan Blue
Once a struggling street performer in New Orleans, Blue was inspired by his young son to audition for America’s Got Talent. Now, he’s ready to sing his heart out on finale night.
“I can’t say much, but what I can say is that in terms of song choice, Simon said I played it safe in the semi-finals,” Blue said. “I’m going to choose a song that nobody would expect and completely flip it on its head. It’s not going to be the same ole, same ole. It’s going to be completely different.”
Leo High School Choir
Chicago’s Leo High School Choir has impressed audiences with their consistent passion and energy. But perhaps it’s the choir’s director — teacher Ms. LaDonna Hill — that has really captured America’s heart..
“Ever since I was a freshman in high school, Ms. Hill has been one of the greatest,” student Keith Smith shared with Us. “Whether it’s playing the piano, singing or directing, she’s a true musician. She’s going to go down in my book as one of the greatest.”
Win or lose, Ms. Hill hopes she can be a great example of what it means to be an unforgettable educator.
“To all the teachers out there, continue to shape and continue to be the example,” she told Us. “A lot of times we forget the why when the obstacles come, but I would encourage them to remember why they started teaching. I believe it’s a calling.”
Light Wire
The LED trailblazing projection act lights up the stage with a memorable show that blends art, technology and emotion.
“We want to surprise everyone every week,” the group told Us. “We want people to come to our world and show the nature and that we’re all together. “
Acrobats Sirca Marea
Aerial duo Matias Cienfuegos and Micaela Leitner have left fans captivated with their gravity-defying act that mixes daring acrobatics, artistry and raw emotion.
“Our act is all about trust and confidence,” Cienfuegos told Us. “Micaela is the person who is always there to make the day better. Our work is really difficult. We feel a lot of stress. We work a lot. We travel a lot, but Micaela always makes the day better — and she’s an amazing acrobat.”
Singer Mama Duke
Mel B’s golden buzzer is a genre-defying musician who commands attention with her rapid-fire rhymes, infectious hooks and unapologetic originality.
“I get to dream of this world and invite you in it, and you get to see a little bit of it,” Mama Duke told Us of her act. “Some people understand it and some people don’t. But either way, it’s being made. I get to show you what my dreams look like. It’s beautiful.”
Musician Micah Palace
The Spanglish pop artist — who earned a golden buzzer from Cowell thanks to his World Cup-worthy song “Rodeo” — has been hard at work perfecting his finale performance.
“All I can say is we’re going to do some more original, maybe some originals,” Palace teased to Us. “We’re bringing the fiesta. We’re bringing the party. I’m really excited for it. It’s going to be a blast, and I can’t wait for everyone to be a part of it again.”
Musician Steve Ray Ladson
The South Carolina native secured Vergara’s golden buzzer earlier in the season. Now, the musician is ready to celebrate the banjo during finale week.
“It’s a bunch of rock ‘n’ roll soul mixed in with bluegrass and country,” he said. “It’s going to be a rodeo, so get your seatbelt on and buckle up. Get your boots out and Tuesday night it’s going down.”
Team Recycled Dance Group
For 15 years, the high-energy dance crew from Berlin, Germany, has been showcasing precision, power and pure creativity with its act. After securing Mandel’s golden buzzer, the group is ready to win America’s vote.
“The past few weeks have been crazy,” the group told Us before finale night. “We’ve had rehearsals almost every day. At night, we work on the music. It’s going to be good.”
