"America's Got Talent" has officially finalized its Top 44 for Season 21, closing out a new two-week "Judges' Callbacks" round that gave borderline acts one last shot before the live shows begin.
The new round, suggested by Simon Cowell to help the panel make its final calls, split 23 acts across two episodes - Cowell, Howie Mandel, and Mel B each picked six acts to see again, while Sofía Vergara chose five. Of those 23, only 16 could move on, meaning seven acts saw their AGT run end in the Callbacks round.
In the first Callbacks episode on August 4, acts performed again at the judges' homes with celebrity guests Emma Bunton, Poo Bear, and Normani helping evaluate the field. Mel B advanced Butter & Grit, James & Marina, and Béty, while Simon Cowell advanced Abiud Sando, Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm, Akira, Elsie, and Travis Garland.
Night two aired August 11, featuring the 11 acts selected by Howie Mandel and Sofía Vergara, with guest judges Nikki Glaser, Lele Pons, and Sebastián Yatra weighing in. Mandel advanced Nene Royal, Cris Sosa, Daniel Alvarez, and Bird and Byron, while Vergara sent Kameron Marshall, Olivia Befus, and Brook Lynn through to the live rounds.
In total, 44 acts - including the 10 Golden Buzzer winners from auditions - now make up the season's full live show roster. Those 44 acts will be randomly divided into groups of 11 for the live quarterfinals, with each week's judges awarding one act a Golden Buzzer straight to the finals, while three more advance by audience vote.
Among the acts already locked in without needing a callback is the CommUNITY ATL Choir, the Atlanta group whose joy-filled performance moved all four judges to tears back in June - a reminder that this season's field carries more than a few stories of hope and community alongside the raw talent.
"America's Got Talent" Season 21 live shows begin August 18 on NBC, with results airing the next night starting August 19.
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- "America's Got Talent" Live Acts Revealed: Full List of Who's In, Who's Out, and Who Gets a Second Chance
- America's Got Talent Auditions Episode 1: CommUNITY ATL Choir
