After nearly three months, “America’s Got Talent” has finally reached the live portion of the competition — meaning the fate of the acts competing for $1 million and a headlining slot in Las Vegas is now in the hands of viewers.
As the quarterfinals air over the next few weeks, through Sept. 10, “AGT” will feature 11 acts per episode (44 quarterfinal acts total).
Each quarterfinal episode will advance three acts to the semifinals, based on voting from viewers.
Here’s a look at the acts that have made it to the semifinals, which air Sept. 16 and 17 on NBC.
‘AGT’ 2025 semifinals: Who is competing?
During quarterfinal episode No. 1, the following three acts made the semifinals: LightWire, Jourdan Blue and Sirca Marea.
LightWire
LightWire, a Brazilian LED dance troupe, earned a golden buzzer from Simon Cowell during their audition, which has more than 2 million views on YouTube.
In their first international appearance, per Parade, the group combined dance, art and technology to bring the Amazon rainforest to the “AGT” stage. Following the performance, the dancers were visibly touched by the enthusiastic response from the crowd.
“You never, ever, ever know, when you’re doing a new year, whether you’re going to see something better than you’ve seen before,” Cowell said. “And honestly — I’m not just saying this — this was one of the most beautiful, stunning acts I’ve seen across all of the ‘Got Talents.’”
Cowell’s high praise continued during the quarterfinals as he noted that the dancers had somehow managed to take it up a level. The cheers from the crowd nearly drowned out his feedback as he called it one of the best live performances he’s seen on the show — a production on par with the opening ceremony at the Olympics.
Mel B, meanwhile, lamented not having the golden buzzer that night so she could send them straight through to the finale.
“AGT” judge Howie Mandel said LightWire was tailor-made for the show, and praised the act’s “spectacular visuals.”
“This is the epitome of what somebody would buy tickets for and see in Vegas,” he said.
Jourdan Blue
Jourdan Blue had one of the most popular “AGT” auditions this season, with over 6 million views on YouTube.
The 23-year-old singer from New Orleans felt inspired to audition for the show following a truck attack on the street where he frequently performs earlier this year.
“It made me realize that there’s so much more to live for,” he told the judges. “That’s what made me choose ‘AGT.’ I feel like this is the best way to level up.”
Blue was visibly emotional after his performance of The Script’s “Breakeven,” which got a literal two thumbs up from Cowell.
The judges praised his distinctive voice: “It was like I was hearing that song for the first time, which is really hard to do with such a popular song,” Mel B said.
Ultimately, Blue earned a golden buzzer from Mandel.
The singer smiled and pocketed some of the gold confetti as it fell around him.
Blue fell ill before his highly anticipated return to the “AGT” stage for the quarterfinals.
But he powered through for a performance of Calum Scott’s “Biblical.” When the song was over, the judges asked Blue if it was true he almost didn’t come out to perform due to being sick. Blue said he had been throwing up backstage, but was determined to keep going.
“This means everything to me and there wasn’t going to be anything that held me back from that,” he said.
“I really truly believe that you can win this,” Mandel told the singer.
“I think you’re going to do amazing in this competition,” judge Sofia Vergara added.
Sirca Marea
There’s been a number of high-flying trapeze acts on “AGT” over the years, but for the judges, the duo Sirca Marea is standing out for the risks they take in their routines.
The married couple from Barcelona has had the judges on edge as they fly through the air, rotating between swinging by their hands and their feet.
After Sirca Marea’s audition, judge Mel B said she had been holding her breath throughout the performance.
Cowell called it “the most complicated, difficult aerial act” he’s seen on “AGT.”
“I think you are one of the best in the world,” he said.
The aerialists took it up a notch for the quarterfinals — to such a degree that they were actually out of breath as the judges gave feedback.
“This is a combination of danger, dedication and dance all in one,” Mandel said, praising the risk factor of their act that shows how badly they want to win. “It’s epic.”
“You gave me the fright of my life,” Mel B added, noting that her eyes had been closed for at least half of the routine.