The America’s Got Talent Finale had everything you would expect from the last night of the season: big guest stars, encore performances, emotional eliminations and, finally, a new champion.
After the Top 10 performed for America’s vote Tuesday night, Wednesday belonged to the results.
Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Mel B returned to the judges’ desk alongside KSI, who once again filled in for the absent Simon Cowell.
By the end of the night, only one act could become the America’s Got Talent winner and take home the $1 million prize.
Before the AGT finale results were revealed, however, the finalists got one more opportunity to take the stage.
America’s Got Talent Finale brings out the guest stars
The results show turned into a celebration of the entire season as the Top 10 teamed with special guests for a series of encore performances.
Come Here joined REI AMI for “2LOUD,” while Unitree and Royal Lasers combined their very different styles for a performance with DJ and producer Steve Aoki.
The two dog acts also got their chance to share the stage. Olivia Befus and Acro Canine Crew came together for a supersized canine performance with Lele Pons.
Then Josh Groban performed “Skyfall” as aerialist Veronika Goroshkova returned to the air above the judges’ table.
Geno Ploeger performs with his idol Mat Franco
For Geno Ploeger, finale night included another memorable moment before the results were announced.
The young magician performed alongside Season 9 champion Mat Franco, one of the performers who inspired Geno’s own dream of competing on America’s Got Talent.
The pair delivered an up-close card routine with Eric Nam and Sydney Levrone helping out with the trick.
Hundred Fingers also returned to the stage, performing its magic alongside pianist and composer Chloe Flower as she played her new single “Winter.”
Nene Royal rocks out with Linkin Park
Before learning whether she would become the AGT Season 21 winner, Nene Royal got the chance to perform with one of the biggest names of the night.
Linkin Park brought Nene out for a joint performance of “The Emptiness Machine,” giving the Thai guitarist and singer another opportunity to show exactly why she had become one of the season’s breakout acts.
Last season’s champion, Jessica Sanchez, also returned to the AGT stage. She performed “Die on This Hill” with two-time Golden Buzzer recipient Lai Noelle before promoting her own new single, “Beggin’.”
AGT Top 5 results begin the eliminations
Then it was time to get serious.
Host Terry Crews revealed the AGT Top 5 by bringing the finalists out in pairs. One act from each pairing advanced, while the other saw its season come to an end.
Royal Lasers defeated Come Here for the first place in the Top 5.
Next, Hundred Fingers advanced over Olivia Befus.
Veronika Goroshkova earned the third Top 5 spot, eliminating Lai Noelle.
Then came Nene Royal against Unitree. America sent Nene through.
The final pairing matched Acro Canine Crew against Geno Ploeger, with Geno earning the last place in the Top 5.
America’s Got Talent Finale reveals fifth and fourth place
With the field cut in half, the AGT finale results continued.
Veronika Goroshkova finished in fifth place. The aerialist looked back on the opportunity to perform on such a large stage and share her art with the audience.
Royal Lasers landed in fourth place.
The light-based dance group may not have won the competition, but their run on the show had already opened another door. They reminded fans that they would be performing in Las Vegas next year.
Hundred Fingers finishes third — but Howie has a surprise
Hundred Fingers finished the season in third place.
That did not mean their Las Vegas dream was over.
Howie Mandel had previously said he would personally back a Vegas show for the group if they did not win America’s Got Talent.
After their third-place finish, Howie made it clear that he intended to follow through on that promise.
So while Hundred Fingers did not leave as the America’s Got Talent winner, their future could still include a major Las Vegas opportunity.
Geno Ploeger finishes as the AGT runner-up
That left just two acts standing: Geno Ploeger and Nene Royal.
Geno had gone from a young magician inspired by former AGT champions to performing alongside one of them on finale night.
America ultimately placed him second, making Geno Ploeger the Season 21 runner-up.
Nene Royal wins the America’s Got Talent Finale
And then there was one.
Nene Royal is the America’s Got Talent Season 21 winner.
The guitarist and rock singer from Thailand earned the most votes, beating Geno in the final two and claiming the $1 million grand prize.
Her path to the championship was one of the more unusual stories of the season. Nene originally discovered the guitar after the computer science club she wanted to join did not work out and music became her alternative.
That unexpected turn eventually brought her all the way to the America’s Got Talent Finale.
Now she leaves as the newest AGT champion.
America’s Got Talent Season 21 final results
The final Top 5 finished in this order:
- Nene Royal — Winner
- Geno Ploeger — Runner-up
- Hundred Fingers — Third place
- Royal Lasers — Fourth place
- Veronika Goroshkova — Fifth place
After a season of Golden Buzzers, surprises and memorable performances, the America’s Got Talent Finale ended with Nene Royal on top and a new chapter beginning for several of the acts who made it all the way to the end.
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