25 Best America’s Got Talent Singers & Vocal Acts

1) Darci Lynne

Darci Lynne stunned audiences by combining a powerful singing voice with an art form few young performers attempt: ventriloquism. Performing through characters including Petunia, Oscar, and Edna, Darci demonstrated the ability to sing with remarkable vocal control while keeping each character completely distinct.

She earned Mel B’s Golden Buzzer during her Season 12 audition and ultimately won America’s Got Talent in 2017. Her performances became some of the most recognizable clips associated with the franchise and helped introduce a new generation to ventriloquism.

Since AGT, Darci has continued developing as a singer, comedian, actor, and touring entertainer. Her career has included an NBC Christmas special, appearances at the Grand Ole Opry, extensive national touring, and increasingly more performances featuring her own singing voice alongside the characters audiences first discovered on AGT.

Darci is currently touring with Growing Pains and also returns to the road each holiday season for her annual Christmas tour. See upcoming cities, dates, and ticket information on our Darci Lynne tour schedule.

2) Jackie Evancho

Jackie Evancho became one of the biggest breakout singers from the early years of America’s Got Talent. The classical crossover singer was only 10 when she competed during Season 5 and stunned viewers with a remarkably mature soprano voice.

Jackie finished the season as runner-up, but AGT became the launching point for a major recording career. She went on to release multiple albums, perform with orchestras, headline concerts, and introduce classical crossover music to a much broader mainstream audience.

Her post-AGT success makes her one of the most important singers to emerge from the show, regardless of where she finished in the competition.

3) Kodi Lee

Kodi Lee delivered one of the most memorable auditions in the history of America’s Got Talent. The singer and pianist, who is blind and autistic, immediately connected with the audience through his musicianship, vocal ability, and joyful stage presence.

Gabrielle Union awarded Kodi the Golden Buzzer during his Season 14 audition. He continued delivering standout performances throughout the competition and ultimately won the season.

Kodi has remained closely associated with AGT since his victory and continues performing live, demonstrating that his Season 14 success was much more than a single television moment.

4) Grace VanderWaal

Grace VanderWaal’s audition became one of the defining moments in AGT history. At only 12 years old, Grace walked onto the stage with a ukulele and performed her original song “I Don’t Know My Name.”

Howie Mandel gave her the Golden Buzzer, and Grace went on to win Season 11.

Her distinctive voice, songwriting ability, and willingness to perform original music helped her stand apart from more conventional competition singers. Grace has since continued recording original music while also expanding into acting, including Disney’s Stargirl films.

5) Angelica Hale

Angelica Hale became one of the youngest powerhouse vocalists ever featured on America’s Got Talent. She was only nine when she competed in Season 12, but her vocal range and confident stage presence immediately separated her from singers considerably older than she was.

During Judge Cuts, guest judge Chris Hardwick gave Angelica the Golden Buzzer after her performance of “Girl on Fire.” She ultimately finished Season 12 as the runner-up.

Angelica later returned for America’s Got Talent: The Champions, where she experienced another Golden Buzzer moment. Since AGT, she has continued performing at concerts, sporting events, conferences, and other live events while pursuing music and acting.

6) Putri Ariani

Putri Ariani arrived on America’s Got Talent Season 18 with an extraordinary combination of singing, songwriting, and piano skills.

Her audition quickly became one of the season’s defining musical moments. Simon Cowell was so impressed that he asked Putri to perform another song before awarding her his Golden Buzzer.

Putri ultimately reached the Season 18 finals and continued building an international career as a singer, songwriter, and recording artist after AGT.

7) Richard Goodall

Richard Goodall became one of AGT’s most unlikely singing success stories when the Indiana school janitor stepped onto the Season 19 stage.

His audition performance of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” immediately connected with the judges and audience, and Heidi Klum awarded Richard her Golden Buzzer.

Richard continued advancing throughout the competition and ultimately won Season 19. His journey demonstrated one of the qualities that has always made AGT compelling: exceptional performers can be discovered in places audiences would never expect.

8) Jessica Sanchez

Jessica Sanchez has one of the most unusual stories of any singer in AGT history.

She first appeared on America’s Got Talent as a child during the show’s inaugural season. Nearly two decades later, Jessica returned for Season 20 as an experienced vocalist and delivered a powerful performance that earned Sofia Vergara’s Golden Buzzer.

Jessica continued in the competition and ultimately won Season 20, completing one of the longest full-circle journeys in the show's history.

Her victory connects the earliest era of AGT with its modern seasons and gives her a unique place in the show’s singing history.

9) Mandy Harvey

Mandy Harvey delivered one of the most memorable original-song auditions in AGT history.

After losing her hearing as a young adult, Mandy developed new ways to stay connected to music and control her voice. During her Season 12 audition, she performed her original song “Try” while singing barefoot so she could feel vibrations through the stage.

Simon Cowell responded by giving Mandy the Golden Buzzer. She advanced to the finals and has continued working as a singer, songwriter, musician, and inspirational speaker.

10) Bianca Ryan

No list of the best singers in AGT history would be complete without Bianca Ryan.

In 2006, Bianca became the very first winner of America’s Got Talent. She was only 11 years old, but her unusually powerful voice immediately established the level of singing talent audiences could expect from the new competition.

Bianca later dealt with significant vocal-health challenges that required surgery, but she returned to recording and performing. Her place in AGT history remains unique as the show’s original champion.

11) Sal Valentinetti

Sal Valentinetti became a fan favorite during Season 11 with a musical style that was completely different from most of the singers competing around him.

His throwback sound, larger-than-life personality, and smooth vocals recalled classic crooners including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Tony Bennett.

Heidi Klum awarded Sal her Golden Buzzer, and he ultimately reached the Season 11 finals. Sal continued performing his distinctive brand of traditional pop and standards after AGT.

12) Kechi Okwuchi

Kechi Okwuchi's voice and story made her one of the most memorable singers from Season 12. Kechi survived the 2005 Sosoliso Airlines crash in Nigeria and later used music as an important part of her recovery.

AGT allowed Kechi to share that music with millions of viewers, and her soulful performances carried her to the Season 12 finals.

Kechi later returned for America’s Got Talent: The Champions, where Simon Cowell awarded her the Golden Buzzer.

Today, Kechi combines music with speaking, advocacy, and storytelling and is also the author of More Than My Scars.

13) Courtney Hadwin

Courtney Hadwin produced one of the most surprising auditions in AGT history. The shy teenage singer transformed as soon as the music started, delivering a raw, high-energy performance influenced by classic rock and soul.

Howie Mandel awarded Courtney the Golden Buzzer, sending her directly to the live shows. Her stage presence, rasp, and unconventional performance style made her immediately recognizable.

She ultimately reached the Season 13 finals and remains one of the strongest examples of an AGT audition completely changing the audience’s expectations within seconds.

14) Michael Grimm

Michael Grimm won America’s Got Talent Season 5 with a soulful, blues-influenced vocal style and understated stage presence.

His victory is especially notable because he competed against Jackie Evancho, another performer who went on to become one of the show’s most successful musical alumni.

Michael’s combination of soul, blues, rock, and traditional American music gave AGT a very different type of singing champion from the young vocalists who had captured attention in earlier seasons.

15) Voices of Service

Voices of Service brought something different to AGT: a vocal group connected by military service and a shared mission of using music to support veterans, service members, and their families.

The group’s harmonies and emotional performances helped them advance all the way to the Season 14 finals.

Voices of Service later continued performing together, combining polished vocal arrangements with a message centered on service, resilience, and community.

16) Laura Bretan

Laura Bretan brought classical music to the AGT stage with a voice few expected to hear from a 13-year-old performer.

Her audition performance of “Nessun Dorma” demonstrated an operatic range dramatically different from the pop and contemporary singers usually featured in talent competitions.

The performance earned a standing ovation and Mel B’s Golden Buzzer. Laura ultimately reached the Season 11 finals and continued developing a career as a classical and crossover vocalist.

17) Evie Clair

Evie Clair was just 13 when she captivated audiences during America’s Got Talent Season 12. A singer, songwriter, and pianist, Evie reached the finals with performances that combined a delicate vocal style with an emotional connection to the music.

Her AGT journey became especially moving as her father battled cancer during the competition. Evie continued performing through an extremely difficult period for her family, and her story resonated with viewers across the country.

After AGT, Evie continued writing, recording, and performing original music.

18) Christian Guardino

Christian Guardino demonstrated outstanding stage presence and vocal ability during his Season 12 audition.

Christian performed The Jackson 5’s “Who’s Lovin’ You,” delivering a soulful performance that earned Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer.

He advanced to the semifinals and continued pursuing music after AGT, releasing original material and later competing on American Idol.

19) Lavender Darcangelo

Lavender Darcangelo became another standout vocalist during Season 18. Her warm personality and expressive voice quickly connected with both the judges and the audience.

Lavender is blind and autistic, but her AGT performances focused attention where she wanted it: on her voice and her love of music. Heidi Klum awarded Lavender the Golden Buzzer and sent her directly to the live rounds.

She eventually reached the Season 18 finals and has continued pursuing music and live performance following the show.

20) Cristina Rae

Cristina Rae established herself as one of Season 15’s strongest vocalists with a combination of power, range, and emotional delivery.

Heidi Klum awarded Cristina the Golden Buzzer during the auditions, and she continued advancing through the competition with dramatic vocal performances.

Cristina ultimately reached the finals and remains one of the most memorable powerhouse singers from the modern era of AGT.

21) Chris Kläfford

Chris Kläfford brought a different musical background to the AGT stage. Before appearing in America, the Swedish singer had already established himself as an accomplished vocalist and had won Swedish Idol.

His soulful voice and stripped-down arrangements quickly made him memorable during Season 14. His emotional interpretation of “Imagine” demonstrated both his vocal control and his ability to make a familiar song feel personal.

Chris advanced to the semifinals and has continued performing and releasing music.

22) Angelina Jordan

Angelina Jordan first gained international attention by winning Norway’s Got Talent when she was only seven years old. Years later, American audiences were introduced to her distinctive vocal style on America’s Got Talent: The Champions Season 2.

Angelina's smoky, jazz-influenced voice immediately separated her from more conventional competition singers. Heidi Klum awarded her the Golden Buzzer after her audition performance.

Her performances demonstrated an ability to reshape familiar songs around her own distinctive vocal identity.

23) Marcelito Pomoy

Marcelito Pomoy brought one of the most unusual vocal talents ever featured within the AGT franchise.

The winner of Philippines’ Got Talent Season 2 can sing in both tenor and soprano registers and move rapidly between the two. That ability allows Marcelito to perform duet arrangements entirely by himself.

On America’s Got Talent: The Champions, audiences watched him switch between male and female vocal parts without another singer on stage.

24) Anna Clendening

Anna Clendening brought a deeply personal story to America’s Got Talent Season 9.

Her emotional performance of “Hallelujah” connected with viewers because the audition was about more than vocal ability. Anna openly discussed the anxiety and personal struggles she had faced before stepping onto the AGT stage.

Following AGT, Anna continued building a career as a singer-songwriter, releasing original music and developing a substantial audience through streaming and social media.

25) Justin Rhodes

Justin Rhodes delivered one of Season 9’s memorable singer-songwriter auditions with his interpretation of Avicii’s “Wake Me Up.”

Sitting at the piano, Justin transformed the electronic hit into a slower and more personal performance. His audition demonstrated one of the qualities that separates memorable AGT singers from technically strong vocalists: the ability to reinterpret a song and make the audience hear it differently.

His soulful voice, piano playing, and emotional delivery helped his performance stand out in a season filled with singers and variety acts.