The finale of America’s Got Talent Season 21 unfolded on Tuesday, September 22, with 10 acts competing for the prize, as viewers voted to determine the winner ahead of Wednesday’s results show. The two-night event kicked off on Tuesday, bringing the contestants back to the “AGT” stage for one last chance to earn viewers’ votes before the winner was revealed live on Wednesday. Dog group Acro Canine Crew, dance crew Come Here, magician Geno Ploeger, magic group Hundred Fingers, singer Lai Noelle, rocker Nene Royal, dog act Olivia Befus, light-up dance group Royal Lasers, robot dance group Unitree, and aerialist Veronika Goroshkova were all still in the running to win Season 21, with their fates now in the hands of the viewers at home.
Vote For Winner Of Season 21
Nene Royal, a 16-year-old Thailand-born singer and guitarist, emerged as a frontrunner after her performance of The White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army
on Tuesday. She reimagined the song with a bludgeoning guitar riff
and delivered a fresh guitar solo, wearing a traditional dress emblazoned with the words “Nene Thailand.” The audience gave her a standing ovation, with special guest judge KSI declaring, This is the first time I’ve even seen or heard you,
he remarked. And I am a fan. That was out of this world. You should be so proud.
Fellow Brit Mel B quipped, I’m glad I pressed my Golden Buzzer,
adding, “Because not only do you have such mysterious, mystical stage presence, you’re from the best place in the world, Phuket, Thailand… and what you’re bringing to this competition is so unique and you’re only 16 years old. If you don’t win this, I am going to sell Howie’s new house.” Sofía Vergara called her “unique,” stating, The world is going crazy because there is nothing like you right now.
Howie Mandel declared her the biggest, most talented, most viral talent to be on that stage,
urging viewers to give her the million, America.
Thailand's Nene Royal Deploys ‘Seven Nation Army’ on ‘AGT
Other acts received mixed evaluations. Hundred Fingers, a South Korean magic group, was predicted to finish in the top three, while magician Geno Ploeger faced tough competition. Based on the acts he’s going up against, we predict a sixth-place finish,
Tvline wrote. Dance crew Come Here, despite a Taylor Swift performance, was seen as a “reach” for a win, with predictions placing them around sixth or seventh. Acro Canine Crew and Olivia Befus, both dog acts, faced a challenge splitting votes, with Tvline noting, We can’t shake the feeling that viewers’ votes will ultimately be split between the two remaining dog acts, the outlet wrote, predicting neither would secure the top spot. Lai Noelle, a Golden Buzzer recipient, was expected to finish in the Top 5, with her performance of Bruno Mars’ “Risk It All” described as “powerful.”
Who Will Win 'America’s Got Talent' 2026? Season 21
According to Kalshi’s prediction market, Come Here and Royal Lasers had “less than 1%” chances of winning Season 21, as reported by Just Jared. The outlet noted that viewer votes would ultimately decide the winner, as the results show on Wednesday aired live on NBC. The finale’s outcome hinged on public support, with Nene Royal’s blend of rock guitar and vocal talent resonating strongly. Billboard detailed her standout performance, noting that she blew minds throughout the competition, and her “unique” style set her apart. With the results show approaching, the final vote would determine whether her predictions materialized.
Nene Royal’s journey on AGT began with her viral audition, where she covered The Cranberries’ “Zombie” and Soundgarden’s Black Hole Sun,
earning the Golden Buzzer. She picked up the guitar at age seven and dreamed of being a superstar on tour,
a dream she claimed had “come true” regardless of the outcome. The results show, which aired on Wednesday, September 23, at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, featured special guests Linkin Park, Josh Groban, Lele Pons, REI AMI, and Steve Aoki. The two-night event culminated in the announcement of the Season 21 winner, with Nene Royal’s performance and judge reactions solidifying her status as a strong favorite.