The “America’s Got Talent” season 20 live shows begin tonight on NBC. We have the first 11 acts performing for the “AGT” judges — Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara, and Melanie “Mel B” Brown — and for America’s votes for the first time this season.
Get Ready to Vote, America
Starting with tonight’s performances on “America’s Got Talent” season 20, America will finally get a say in who moves forward in the competition and who goes home. Fans of the show can vote two different ways for the Top 44 acts: online or via mobile app.
You can start by going to NBC.com/AGTVote to register on your browser. Fans can also download either the “AGT” app or the NBC app to their phone. You would need to register with an email address. This will allow you to vote for your favorite act up to 10 times.
Voting for “America’s Got Talent” starts when the live shows begin on Tuesdays, which is at 8 p.m. ET. Voting will close at 7 a.m. ET on Wednesday mornings. Terry Crews will then share the results on Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. ET.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD: THIS LIVE RECAP WILL BE UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE EPISODE, SO DO NOT KEEP READING IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ SPOILERS.
August 19 Live Recap – Quarterfinals Week 1
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We Are Live!
The audience is excited, the judges are in place, the acts are ready, and Terry Crews has entered the stage. Time for the first Quarterfinal, as 11 acts are ready to battle it out to be named the winner of season 20 and win that $1 million prize. Let’s get to the performances.
Sofia Vergara is in charge of the Live Golden Buzzer tonight, so she gets to decide who goes straight into the finals. America’s votes will put the other three acts through this week.
LightWire
They said they became instant celebrities after their audition. They have all of Brazil supporting them. LightWire is using new technology tonight. They plan on showing America something they have never seen before.
It’s just a cool display of lights and technology. When I think of a show in Las Vegas, this is what I picture. It’s mesmerizing and just keeps your attention the entire time. So, so good.
Judges’ Feedback: Simon said he knows what he would do, hinting at Sofia hitting that Golden Buzzer for them. Mel B said she is so angry she doesn’t have a Golden Buzzer because that was outstanding. Sofia said this is something special, it’s mesmerizing. The soundtrack should be a movie. Howie said this is the epitome of what something would buy tickets for and see in Vegas. Simon added that it’s one of the best live performances he’s seen.
Charity Lockhart
It looks like we are starting with the Golden Buzzers tonight on “AGT” season 20. Charity was one of Mel B’s Golden Buzzers, and now she is back to make it to the next round. She said this is a life-changer for her.
Charity sings “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley. She has a very operatic voice. It starts a little slow, but she hits some big notes and big runs. She has a lot of control in her voice, and this was a good performance.
Judges’ Feedback: Mel B said she doesn’t have any words for once. I feel everything that you’re feeling. Simon said she came back tonight as a different person. She is the kind of artist who deserves to be on Broadway and has a beautiful voice. Howie said he thinks she is great. He saw glimpses, but it did not blow him away. Sofia said she looks like a million dollars in this outfit. This rendition of the song was so perfect for her on “America’s Got Talent” 2025.
Phobias
They are clowns that play on your darkest fears. While Simon hates clowns, he enjoyed this act. Can they do it again tonight on “America’s Got Talent” 2025?
While they are creepy, they made some mistakes on their first couple of tricks. They head over to the judges’ table and turn a Rubik’s Cube into a pile of worms, which was cool to see. There were some interesting tricks along the way, but overall, I was underwhelmed, as were Mel B and Simon, who hit the X button for them.
Judges’ Feedback: Simon said he isn’t happy and that thing scared him. Sofia said she wanted to say she hated it, but she liked it. Howie said he is very impressed, and this was a blending of terror and mystery. This was special and we’ve never seen it before. Mel B said she didn’t like it and it wasn’t good enough for her.
CitiLimitz
They first started singing when they were 11 and 12 years old. They were singing everywhere. The group has been grinding for eight years for something like this. They have a big family that is all behind them, showing their support.
CitiLimitz chooses to sing “Cry Me a River” by Justin Timberlake. They definitely put their own twist on the song and have great harmonies. They are entertaining, but it doesn’t wow me like a $1 million winning act should.
Judges’ Feedback: Howie said they are lovable and they have great voices. He doesn’t know if it was better than before. Mel B said their harmonies were on point, and they killed it. Simon said he loved them after their first audition, and he was hoping they’d be better for the live shows, but it wasn’t. He felt like someone was telling them what to do here, and it wasn’t them. Sofia agreed with Simon, but something that didn’t click and didn’t feel original or exciting.
Sirca Marea
They are a couple and have the same passion for acrobatics. They’ve started from nothing and have been working 24/7 to make this work. The couple said they are in the live shows now, so they need to make it bigger and better. They will be doing tricks they’ve never done before.
They definitely pull out many tricks and twists during this performance. Sirca Marea does some amazing tricks and scary tricks along the way.
Judges’ Feedback: Howie said it’s a combination of danger, dedication, and dance all in one. Mel B said that it is not right and not normal, but it was brilliant. Sofia said this was amazing tonight. It was sexy and scary, and they made it unique. Simon said it was incredible, and people will relate to them and their story on “America’s Got Talent” season 20.
Steve Ray Ladson on ‘America’s Got Talent’
He sang an original song for his audition, and Simon said he thought it was a hit. Simon was right, as it made it to #2 on the country charts on iTunes.
He sings another original song, and I just like him. He sings country, but it’s got a little twist to it. It’s very upbeat, and he just adds a little something to it. I enjoy it.
Judges’ Feedback: Sofia said he is a superstar, but to be honest, she didn’t like the song. She actually loved it, as she hit the Golden Buzzer for him! He is moving on to the finals of “AGT” 2025!
Loco Pop Familia
They have been dancing together for eight years, always dreaming of the big stage. They had great feedback on their audition, but Mel B was not impressed and said they were annoying. Can they impress her tonight?
They are dressed up in their cat costumes and dance to “Hey Mickey” by Toni Basil. They are strong dancers and in sync, but their facial expressions are a little over the top. The dancers even bring out the big ball of yarn, too.
Judges’ Feedback: Sofia said they are fun, creative, and cute. It’s fun to watch. Simon said how can you not like this? A cat has never won this show, and that was cat-tastic. Mel B said that song was the first song she bought on vinyl. The choreography was great, and their wearing leopard. They’re still annoying, but she gave them a standing ovation.
Shuler King
A comedian has never won on “America’s Got Talent,” but can Shuler change that? He said this performance tonight is like his moment of truth, and he’s ready.
He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer, so he warns the audience not to fall asleep. Shuler told a very long story about learning to embalm and his father. It just seemed to be too long a story and not enough funny moments for me.
Judges’ Feedback: Howie said he loves this guy, and he reminds him of Bernie Mac. Simon said he’s laughing because everything is crazy tonight. Mel B said she loves him and he’s funny before he even opens his mouth. Sofia said she loved it, and this was so much better than his audition. He should be in a movie or sitcom, as he has that vibe about him.
Jourdan Blue on ‘America’s Got Talent’ Season 20
He was one of Howie’s Golden Buzzer picks on “AGT” 2025. Jourdan said he worked so hard for that moment, and now his crowds have tripled in size while he sings on the streets in New Orleans. He said his song is all his motivation.
He sings “Biblical” by Calum Scott. Jourdan has such a strong voice and such a great range. He is very powerful with his lyrics, and this was an emotional and touching performance. It’s simple, but so strong with the notes he hits along the way.
Judges’ Feedback: Simon said he had the strength to come out while being sick; he did bloody well. Howie said he truly believes he can win this. It’s amazing considering how sick he is. Mel B said his vocals were so perfectly beautiful, and it was magical. Sofia said he is just good and his emotions can just reach us.
B Unique Crew
They are a dance crew from India. It’s not acceptable to dance in India, but they want to make it work. They all live together in a two-bedroom apartment. Howie Mandel wanted to give them a Golden Buzzer during the auditions, but he was out. However, Simon said they were too small.
I agreed with Simon, and they did feel smaller, especially compared to the other dance crew from India. However, this performance was very, very good. The illusions were so tricky, and it was entertaining and fun to watch. They twist their bodies in positions that look like they are going to bust a bone!
Judges’ Feedback: Mel B said she feels like she is about to throw up. They are so good, so different, and not normal. Totally wrong, but it’s totally lit and on fire. Simon said he likes this because it was very original. It was a 7 out of 10, and he thinks they’re capable of a 9. Howie said they can win this season. Sofia said they really stepped it up a notch tonight.
Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras
He moved to Los Angeles 20 years ago to pursue music. Tom said he ended up on a reality show, and America hated him. He was worried about how America would react to his audition on “America’s Got Talent” season 20, and he was blown away by their reaction.
They sing “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd. It’s definitely a big production on that stage. Lots of lights and lots of flash. The singing isn’t that strong, though, and seems to be more dancing and not a lot of singing, as Simon hit his X for him.
Judges’ Feedback: Simon said he likes Tom and he likes the band, but it didn’t sound great. Sofia said she loved the dancing and band, but the sound was not amazing. Mel B said they make her smile. They bring a little happiness. Howie said they are good people, having a fun time.
That’s it for tonight on “America’s Got Talent” 2025. Who will you be voting for tonight? Let us know in the comments!
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‘AGT’ Live Recap & Spoilers – 8/19/2025