Can Ventriloquist Celia Muñoz Go from AGT Wildcard to Winner?

America's Got Talent 2022 Celia Muñoz
Pictured: Celia Muñoz — (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)

Tuesday night was Part 1 of the America’s Got Talent finale featuring performances from the Top 11 finalists (Read our Recap). Wednesday, AGT will reveal the winner of season 17. The acts will also take the stage with celebrities and past contestants for some fun performances.

Last week when the judges nominated Wildcard acts to return, I hoped that Celia Muñoz would be among the choices. Sofia Vergara made yet another great decision by nominating Celia. Her first smart decision was choosing Mayyas as her Golden Buzzer–the strongest buzzer of the season. Comedian Don McMillan would have been deserving as well, but Celia brings more of a variety to the live shows as a ventriloquist, and even then, a ventriloquist with no puppets.

In her final performance, Celia played tribute to opera singer Maria Malibran. She brought her to life in a spooky opera-type ventriloquism performance that involved acting and Celia’s best singing to date. I find it mind-blowing how Celia can transform into each character, and sing opera with her mouth closed. Additionally, the comedic aspect of her act made the performance truly entertaining.

This was her best routine to date. The engaging act felt like a headline performance. The ending which entailed the ghost possessing her was a fun finish to a wow performance. The routine is a reprisal from her time on Spain’s Got Talent, but in English for the American audience. Comedians and singers often reprise stuff they have done in the past, so it was smart, given that she thought she probably wouldn’t make the finale.

Celia won Spain’s Got Talent in 2021

Celia actually won Spain’s Got Talent in 2021. Most Got Talent show prizes are very small cash prizes and give exposure within the respective countries. But AGT offers huge exposure, a Vegas show, and a cash prize (even if the million dollars is paid over several years, and includes taxes). It’s understandable that winners of other Got Talent shows are attracted to the bigger platforms that America or Britain’s Got Talent has to offer.

Celia would make a worthy winner. She has a decent shot at finishing Top 5 even fans didn’t initially vote her into the finals. She also would be the fourth ventriloquist winner next to Darci Lynne (who she most likely will perform with Wednesday night), Paul Zerdin, and Terry Fator. Other worthy winners would be the acts that truly stand out as innovative and entertaining, including Lebanon dance crew, the Mayyas, and multimedia pole dancer, Kristy Sellars. Country singer Drake Milligan could pull off a win as well. Otherwise, maybe an act like Yu Hojin will pull a shocker and win like Dustin Tavella did last year. Or could the emotional appeal of Avery Dixon’s story draw voters in? Who knows.

America’s Got Talent 2022 finale airs on NBC Wednesday September 24 at 9 pm ET/PT.

About Blake Busch 245 Articles
I am a graduate of Drake University with a BSBA in marketing and minor in data analytics. My favorite shows to follow are American Idol and The Voice. I also love crime thrillers, Top Chef, and Masterchef. My hobbies include cooking, baking, playing basketball, and watching sports.