America’s Got Talent: All-Stars.Photo: Trae Patton/NBC
01of 11Aidan BryantJoe SchmelzerAeralistAidan Bryantwas first introduced toAGTfans in season 16. Though he made it all the way to the finale, he ultimately lost to magician Dustin Tavella.This time around, the self-taught aerialist was determined to take home the prize. The 18-year-old’s focus clearly resonated with viewers, leading him to earn the superfan vote during the Jan. 9 episode.“To be in the finals means that all my hard work since I was 14 years old, practicing in the backyard in the tree has paid off,” Bryant tells PEOPLE. “To be in the top 11 of the finals, of the best of the bestAGTworldwide is incredible and I feel that I am ready to win this time.““When I came in second place on season 16, I never dreamed that I would make it that far, but now I feel like this is my second chance to prove to the world that I have gone from an amateur to a professional aerialist,” he adds.
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Aidan Bryant
Joe Schmelzer
AeralistAidan Bryantwas first introduced toAGTfans in season 16. Though he made it all the way to the finale, he ultimately lost to magician Dustin Tavella.
This time around, the self-taught aerialist was determined to take home the prize. The 18-year-old’s focus clearly resonated with viewers, leading him to earn the superfan vote during the Jan. 9 episode.
“To be in the finals means that all my hard work since I was 14 years old, practicing in the backyard in the tree has paid off,” Bryant tells PEOPLE. “To be in the top 11 of the finals, of the best of the bestAGTworldwide is incredible and I feel that I am ready to win this time.”
“When I came in second place on season 16, I never dreamed that I would make it that far, but now I feel like this is my second chance to prove to the world that I have gone from an amateur to a professional aerialist,” he adds.
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Aidan McCann
13-year-old magicianAidan McCannfirst competed onBritain’s Got Talentin 2020. After taking the stage for the Jan. 23 episode — and wowing the crowd with a mesmerizing act that included some coloring and two superhero outfits — McCann earnedHeidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer and a place in theAGT: All-Starsfinale.
“I didn’t expect it at all! This isAGT:All-Stars, every act is so brilliant, so when Heidi pressed the Golden Buzzer, I actually had to tap my leg to check I wasn’t dreaming!” McCanntold PEOPLE after the exciting moment.
Though he’s one of the youngest acts on the show and the youngest to compete in the finale, McCann does not find consider that a disadvantage. In fact, he has high hopes of winning the whole thing.
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Ana Maria Mărgean
Mărgean wonRomania’s Got Talentin 2021, thanks to her impressive ventriloquism skills that she picked up during the COVID lockdown after watchingAGTwinnerTerry Fatorperform online.
“Moving into the finals is simply WOW, I can only be grateful and proud at the same time, to share the stage with another 10 amazing talents is surely an unbelievable experience,” she tells PEOPLE. “This experience is a dream coming true and I feel like the luckiest person on Earth; not long ago all those were only dreams, now [it’s] becoming [a] reality.”
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Avery Dixon
SaxophonistAvery Dixonwas introduced to viewers during season 17 ofAGT,where he earned hostTerry Crews’Golden Buzzerafter sharinghis story of resilience.
“I would be remiss if I did not thank the superfans for believing in me and voting me into the finals,” the 22-year-old tells PEOPLE. “Being the in the finals will allow me to show the world the new and improved Avery Dixon!”
“I am so grateful to compete in one of the planet’s most extraordinary shows and return to something I have always loved,” he adds.
05of 11Bello SistersJoe SchmelzerThe Bello Sisters wowed from the minute they stepped onto theAGTstage in season 15. The acrobat trio made it to the finale, but ultimately fell short of the winning title.After returning toAGT: All-Starsand delivering a thrilling performance, the sisters won the superfan vote, sending them into the finale.“Being in the finals means the world to us, for us it’s more than just the finals of a show; standing with the best 10 acts in the world is a sign of accomplishment and proof that if you work hard you can really accomplish any dream you have. We feel grateful to be able to live such an incredible experience,” the sisters tell PEOPLE.“We know that the acts here are the best of the best so even trying to imagine what it would mean to actually win gives us goosebumps,” they add. “Winning this competition means so many things, it would not only mean to fulfill our dream to be in Vegas and to be globally recognized but to also fulfill the dream of our 8-generation acrobatic family too. It would also really show the strength of us women performing an act which men usually perform and still succeeding no matter what people say or think.”
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Bello Sisters
The Bello Sisters wowed from the minute they stepped onto theAGTstage in season 15. The acrobat trio made it to the finale, but ultimately fell short of the winning title.
After returning toAGT: All-Starsand delivering a thrilling performance, the sisters won the superfan vote, sending them into the finale.
“Being in the finals means the world to us, for us it’s more than just the finals of a show; standing with the best 10 acts in the world is a sign of accomplishment and proof that if you work hard you can really accomplish any dream you have. We feel grateful to be able to live such an incredible experience,” the sisters tell PEOPLE.
“We know that the acts here are the best of the best so even trying to imagine what it would mean to actually win gives us goosebumps,” they add. “Winning this competition means so many things, it would not only mean to fulfill our dream to be in Vegas and to be globally recognized but to also fulfill the dream of our 8-generation acrobatic family too. It would also really show the strength of us women performing an act which men usually perform and still succeeding no matter what people say or think.”
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Detroit Youth Choir
Detroit Youth Choirleft their mark during their run onAGTin season 14, where they earned Terry Crews’Golden Buzzerbut ultimately came in second place to singerKodi Lee.
The routine was so good that Crews pressed his Golden Buzzer, yet again, for the choir.
“He is a big supporter of what we do and he’s one of the best judges, or hosts, thatAGTever had if you asked me,” White told PEOPLE after the big moment. “We just love him so much.”
With another chance at the title, White says the group is ready to bring the victory home to Detroit.
“We wanted to really make a statement,” he shared. “We just want people to know that DYC is here and that we’re present. And pretty much we will never be going anywhere, no time soon.”
07of 11Kodi LeeJoe SchmelzerKodi Leehas become one of the most well-known acts in the history ofAGTafter he captivated audiences during season 14, where he earned then-judgeGabrielle Union’sGolden Buzzerand went on towin the entire competition.Along with his unforgettable vocal talents, Lee’s life story has made him a fan favorite. The 26-year-old singer was born with optic nerve hypoplasia, making him blind, and diagnosed with autism at age 4. Due to this, his mother Tina often accompanies him on stage — including during hisAGT: All-Starsreturn on Feb. 6, where he earned the final superfan vote.“I never ever imagined him being where he is today, and that’s amazing. I really don’t even have the words for how that makes me feel, other than he’s a blessing,” Tina told PEOPLE. “It makes me feel like he is an angel on this earth, here to change the world.“As Lee prepared for the finale, he had one message for fans: “I’ve been working really hard. I’m anAGTsuperstar. And if you keep working really hard, anything’s possible.”
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Kodi Lee
Kodi Leehas become one of the most well-known acts in the history ofAGTafter he captivated audiences during season 14, where he earned then-judgeGabrielle Union’sGolden Buzzerand went on towin the entire competition.
Along with his unforgettable vocal talents, Lee’s life story has made him a fan favorite. The 26-year-old singer was born with optic nerve hypoplasia, making him blind, and diagnosed with autism at age 4. Due to this, his mother Tina often accompanies him on stage — including during hisAGT: All-Starsreturn on Feb. 6, where he earned the final superfan vote.
“I never ever imagined him being where he is today, and that’s amazing. I really don’t even have the words for how that makes me feel, other than he’s a blessing,” Tina told PEOPLE. “It makes me feel like he is an angel on this earth, here to change the world.”
As Lee prepared for the finale, he had one message for fans: “I’ve been working really hard. I’m anAGTsuperstar. And if you keep working really hard, anything’s possible.”
08of 11Light Balance KidsJoe SchmelzerLight Balance Kidsfirst competed onAGTin season 14, modeling their high-tech dance group after their mentors Light Balance. They made it to the finale but did not advance to the top 5.For their return to theAGT: All-Starsstage, the Ukrainian dance group delivered a show-stopping number on Jan. 2 that ended with judgeHowie Mandelgiving them his Golden Buzzer — the season’s first — and a glimmer of hope during a time of war in their home country.Speaking to PEOPLE after the moment, Maryna Zaitseva, Mariia Honiukova and Darya Cherepakha of Light Balance Kids said earning the buzzer “helped us to forget, for a moment, all the fears and suffering our country and compatriots are experiencing now.““It was one of the biggest moments of pure joy and happiness in our lives,” the group said. “Everyone was just over the moon. Since February 24, 2022, we all fled from war to different countries soAGT: All Starsgave us this opportunity to get together and perform as a team again… It’s such happiness to be able to come back to [a] normal life, see each other and dance together again.”
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Light Balance Kids
Light Balance Kidsfirst competed onAGTin season 14, modeling their high-tech dance group after their mentors Light Balance. They made it to the finale but did not advance to the top 5.
For their return to theAGT: All-Starsstage, the Ukrainian dance group delivered a show-stopping number on Jan. 2 that ended with judgeHowie Mandelgiving them his Golden Buzzer — the season’s first — and a glimmer of hope during a time of war in their home country.
Speaking to PEOPLE after the moment, Maryna Zaitseva, Mariia Honiukova and Darya Cherepakha of Light Balance Kids said earning the buzzer “helped us to forget, for a moment, all the fears and suffering our country and compatriots are experiencing now.”
“It was one of the biggest moments of pure joy and happiness in our lives,” the group said. “Everyone was just over the moon. Since February 24, 2022, we all fled from war to different countries soAGT: All Starsgave us this opportunity to get together and perform as a team again… It’s such happiness to be able to come back to [a] normal life, see each other and dance together again.”
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Mike E. Winfield
ComedianMike E. Winfieldfirst competed on season 17 ofAGT,where he impressed the judges and even earned himself an offer from judgeHowie Mandelto open for him at his comedy show. Despite that, Winfield didn’t win the competition.
Returning with a renewed sense of confidence on the Jan. 16 episode ofAll-Stars,Winfield quickly proved he was meant to be there, earning judgeSimon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer.
“Here’s the thing: I didn’t just get a Golden Buzzer. I gotthebiggest Golden Buzzer you can get ever,” he said. “And on top of that, I find out moments after, I’m the only comedian onAmerica’s Got Talentto ever get [Simon’s] Golden Buzzer. It just feels like, in this moment, I thought my life was already changed, but now it’s solidified.”
10of 11Power DuoJoe SchmelzerThe aerialists and real-life couple wonPhilippines Got Talentin 2016.With one victory already under their belt, and after earning the superfan vote during the Jan. 23 episode, the pair now have their sights set on theAGT: All-Starstitle.“We want to win… that is our mindset now since we are here in the finals,” they tell PEOPLE. “It’s our dream to be part of the show to represent our country and bring pride to our countrymen on the biggestAGTtalent stage. Here we are, we are living our dream.““We want to give our best to win, not only for all the Filipinos but also to our new supporters who cheer and motivate us. For our family and friends, and our Dance Teacher/Manager Giyanne Zamora, who trained and believed in our talent since the beginning and made us who we are now,” they add. “Most especially, this is for our son Javin. We want to inspire more people because what the world needs now is love and love conquers all.”
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Power Duo
The aerialists and real-life couple wonPhilippines Got Talentin 2016.
With one victory already under their belt, and after earning the superfan vote during the Jan. 23 episode, the pair now have their sights set on theAGT: All-Starstitle.
“We want to win… that is our mindset now since we are here in the finals,” they tell PEOPLE. “It’s our dream to be part of the show to represent our country and bring pride to our countrymen on the biggestAGTtalent stage. Here we are, we are living our dream.”
“We want to give our best to win, not only for all the Filipinos but also to our new supporters who cheer and motivate us. For our family and friends, and our Dance Teacher/Manager Giyanne Zamora, who trained and believed in our talent since the beginning and made us who we are now,” they add. “Most especially, this is for our son Javin. We want to inspire more people because what the world needs now is love and love conquers all.”
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Tom Ball
“I was absolutely over the moon!” Ball told PEOPLE after the exciting moment.
With his eyes on the prize, Ball, a schoolteacher, hopes to win the competition and pursue singing as a full-time career.
“Teaching will always be a big part of my life, but I do have a dream to tour the world and pursue my passion for singing,” he shared. “Hopefully, I will end up recording some songs to release in the future… I would love to collaborate with Gregory Porter, his music has a large influence on my life.”
source: people.com
