America’s Got Talent 2025 LIVE SHOWS: Semifinals Recap Live Blog
America’s Got Talent season 20 live shows continue tonight (September 16) with the one week Semifinal round.
Eleven acts compete live for your VOTES and a chance to compete in the finale. At one point, AGT announced that the judges would pick another Golden Buzzer during the semifinal round. But according to NBC, there will be no more Golden Buzzers. Perhaps Mastermind dropping out of the competition last week, reducing the competition from 12 acts to 11, prompted the rule change?
In any case, America will vote for their six favorite acts to advance to the finals. Results will be announced on Wednesday’s results show.
Those who move ahead to the Finals will face off not just against each other, but also against those acts that received Golden Buzzers during the Quarterfinals: Mama Duke, Micah Palace, Steve Ray Ladson, and Team Recycled.
Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Mel B. take their seats on the panel. Terry Crews serves as host.
TT Boys – Icarian games
Last week, Howie refused to hit his Golden Buzzer for TT Boys because their act came so early in the night.
This time, with the stakes so high, the boys work with fire and blindfolds. A mishap could send one of them off the platform and into a fiery accident. They end the routine with one member using his feet to flip the other over and over again forty times.
Mel is wowed. “It was magnificent.” Howie admits fans are still mad about his buzzer. If he had one, he’d give it to them. Sofia believes America will vote for them. Simon, who thinks Howie should have given them the buzzer, says, “That was so clever doing the numbers. I believe America wants you in the finals.”
Zak Mirz – Magic
Zak performed a decent trick last week, but it took him forever to get to the point. Howie buzzed him! And then took it back.
The magician is the type of performer who weaves personal stories into his magic. It’s corny. He’s literally talking about his daddy who didn’t love him. Good Lord. It’s another routine that’s overcomplicated from the start. Thirty seconds in, and I’m already bored.
Sofia likes that his magic is interactive. But she liked last week more. Simon calls him original, but not as good as last week. Howie loves what he does, integrating everyone at home. Mel B appreciates that he’s family oriented. Howie notes that the panel was confused throughout his routine. If somebody has to work that hard to figure out what’s going on, it’s not a great act.
Birmingham Youth Fellowship Choir
Via a taped message, family members wish the choir members good luck. TEARS ALL AROUND.
The group sings Alicia Keys “No One” featuring solid solo work from the members and uplifting and energetic choreography. They are amateurs, however their energy is infectious.
Howie calls the group performance the “medicine I needed.” Howie was out last week due to a death in his family. Mel B walked down the aisle to that song. Sofia believes they keep getting better and better. Simon is happy for the group. “You’ve got a real confidence,” he says. He loved the song choice. He believes America will vote them through.
Chris Turner – Freestyle rap
Chris takes random suggestions for him to freestyle rap. The audience and the panel all make suggestions.
It doesn’t need to make sense, as long as it rhymes, right? It’s a party trick! He ends the bit grabbing props to rap about from audience members. Somebody handed him a tampon. OK then!
Simon is laughing very hard. “Best act of the night,” Howie shouts. Mel B starts a Chris Turner chant. Sofia calls him clever and a genius. “I think you should win!” Simon says, “That was so funny! That will get you into the finals.”
Unreal – Dance group
Their Indian parents have not always supported their dance dreams. But now that the group has advanced on AGT, they are in their kids’ corner.
Unreal features precise synchronous moves alongside contortion and more. The choreography is creative and mesmerising.
“You should be proud,” says Howie noting their originality. Mel B says, “I don’t think you could have done any better. I wasn’t confused.” Sofia says, “You guys always manage to surprise us.” Simon says, “I’m slightly on the fence.” The crowd boos. “It just got a bit boring.” More boos.
Bay Melnick Virgolino – Kid guitarist
Bay’s parents have no musical talent. Mom worries about him being in a such a high pressure environment. But she claims that it’s what he wants.
This week, the youngster kicks off with a scream as he plays and sings Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild.” He’s very cute and talented. I imagine him playing lead guitar in a band, but not so much as a lead vocalist.
Sofia says, “You’re born for this.” Mel B is worried about him. She notes that the industry is tough and he’s young. “I hope you are really enjoying it and keep your grades up.” Howie thinks he looks happy! Simon says he doesn’t have to worry about the business, just practice and get better and better. Simon tells kids to get off their phones and do something creative.
Sirca Marea – Aerial
The two are a married couple and plan to use blindfolds. Their trust and connection in each other will carry them through, they say.
Both of them wear blindfolds, so everybody is flying blind. He drops her, catching her by the ankle. He swings her around precariously. After taking them off, the two engage in more freestyle swinging and tossing.
Howie begs America to vote for the couple. Sofia says, “You guys keep making your act better…you know what it means to get to the finals.” Mel B call it “fire” adding “you have definitely come here to win.” Simon calls the act “absolutely brilliant.” He likes the way they keep pushing the envelope. “It felt like a final performance.”
Jessica Sanchez – Singer
The former American Idol runner-up is pregnant and ready to pop! She’s entering her 9th month. Her pregnancy has affected her powerhouse vocals, but she’s powering through. These days, she makes her own decisions instead of doing what the suits tell her to do.
Tonight she sings “Golden Hour” by Jvke. She looks fantastic in a green form fitting dress as she belts out the fan favorite song. Her phrasing is creative and technically impressive without being overboard. Nice job.
Sofia is proud of her Golden Buzzer. Howie says, “With the right song choice you can take this all the way.” However, he’s not sure about the song choice. The crowd boos. Mel calls her voice magical. Mel B kind of agrees with Howie. Simon loved the song choice. “It showed a different part of your voice.” He calls her performance a “moment.” Simon is sure she’ll make the final. It’s likely Howie has never heard this song before, which is why he does not like it.
Leo High School Choir
The group is from the South Side, Chicago. The choir director is getting ready to retire. When she first started her job, she and her husband lost their son. The group filled the void.
The all-male choir sings “Remember Me” by Fall Out Boy. The group is more polished than the earlier choir, but not as fun or infectious.
“You tear up my heart strings,” says Mel B. However, she wanted more harmonies. Sofia notes the director brings all of them together. Simon thinks this act is the act that has progressed the most. “I really really really like you.” He begs America to vote for them. Howie thinks they checked every box.
LightWire – Light show
The brothers who are Lightwire get emotional about making their lifelong dreams come true.
This time, the choreography celebrates nature in a spectacular way, butterflies, dolphins green forests, The dancers perform amid a burst of colorful light. It all ends with “AGT” lit up as colorful flowers.
Simon calls the act “perfection.” On the other hand, Howie compared it to dinner theater at the rainforest cafe. Sofia wants more. Mel B. has so much respect for what they did because it’s difficult.
Jourdan Blue – Singer
Another former American Idol contestant! He spent years singing on the street. But his big AGT moment almost didn’t happen after getting food poisoning before his big performance.
He covers “Stargazing” by Myles Smith. It’s an emotional and romantic performance. A showstopper and an effective power ballad. He holds a huge note. He’s very pretty! Between Jessica and Jourdan, he had the bigger moment. But they might both make it through.
Sofia loves his hair. “It’s very emotional.” Mel B wants more grit from him. She thinks he’s holding back. Hm. Simon loves him. “You’re very sincere. You deserve a break. I think you’re playing it safe.” He still thinks America will vote him through. Howie believes he played it pitch perfect. “There’s no better singer in this competition.”
