Nene Royal won Season 21 of America’s Got Talent on September 23, 2026, defeating runner-up Geno Ploeger to claim the $1 million prize. The NBC finale capped a summer run marked by a format shake-up, celebrity guest judges, and Simon Cowell’s absence during his recovery from back surgery.
The Grand Finale and Season 21 Results
After weeks of auditions, live shows, and a brand-new Judges’ Callback round, America’s Got Talent wrapped up its 2026 season with a two-night event. The competition concluded when host Terry Crews announced the results on NBC named Nene Royal as its Season 21 winner, edging out fellow finalist Geno Ploeger for the grand prize.
The Top 10 finalists taking the stage for the final performances included Acro Canine Crew, Come Here Dance, Olivia Befus, Royal Lasers, Veronika Goroshkova, Hundred Fingers, Lai Noelle, and Unitree. As the elimination rounds progressed during the results show, acts were winnowed down step by step. Veronika Goroshkova finished in fifth place, Royal Lasers took fourth, and Hundred Fingers secured third place—prompting judge Howie Mandel to promise to produce Hundred Fingers with his own money.
How the Finalists Secured Their Spots
The road to the finale involved a mix of traditional voting and high-stakes format changes. Four acts punched their tickets straight to the final round earlier in the season by earning Live Golden Buzzers from the judges during the quarterfinals, allowing them to bypass the semifinals entirely. Those four acts were robotics dance group Unitree, magic troupe Hundred Fingers, singer Lai Noelle, and singer/musician Nene Royal.
They were joined in the finale by six other acts who earned the most votes from viewers during the semifinals: dog trainer Olivia Befus, aerialist Veronika Goroshkova, dog-dance troupe Acro Canine Dance Crew, dance crew Come Here, light show and dance group Royal Lasers, and magician Geno Ploeger, who ultimately finished as the first runner-up.
Simon Cowell’s Absence and Guest Judge Lineup
Season 21 unfolded under unusual circumstances at the judges’ table. Longtime executive producer and judge Simon Cowell missed the remainder of the live shows following a routine back surgery.
He’s having an operation that cannot be postponed. It’s not an emergency, but it can’t be put off. Simon, we are sending you our very best wishes for a speedy recovery, and we’re looking forward to seeing you back at the judges desk very soon.
Terry Crews, host
To fill the empty seat alongside returning judges Mel B, Howie Mandel, and Sofía Vergara, the show brought in a rotating roster of guest stars. Saturday Night Live star Kenan Thompson, model and former judge Heidi Klum, and YouTuber KSI all stepped in during Cowell’s recovery.
The two-night finale also featured collaborative musical and performance numbers pairing the Top 10 contestants with established artists, including Linkin Park, Josh Groban, Steve Aoki, Chloe Flower, REI AMI, and last year’s champion, Jessica Sanchez, who won Season 20 in 2025.