America’s Got Talent 2026 Quarterfinals 3 Recap, Live Blog
America’s Got Talent live shows continue tonight (Sept 1). This recap covers the third quarterfinal night, when the third group of 11 of 44 acts performed for viewer votes and a chance to advance.
Voting is open during the broadcast. Viewers can vote via the AGT app, on NBC.com, or by commenting on the official AGT TikTok voting post. Results will be revealed on the live results show Wednesday (Sept 2). Three acts from each week advance to the semifinals, and one act from each four-week round will earn an automatic spot in the finale via a Golden Buzzer.
This season’s judging panel includes Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara, and Mel B., with Terry Crews hosting. Simon Cowell is absent for several weeks while he undergoes back surgery related to a previous e-bike injury. Filling Simon’s seat this week is guest judge Kenan Thompson, who previously sat on the AGT panel and is entrusted with this week’s Golden Buzzer decision.
Holland & Sienna – Acrobatic Couple
Holland & Sienna returned after a wardrobe mishap in their last performance. They introduced a new, flexible pole-like apparatus for a high-flying routine full of spins and daring holds. The highlight came when Sienna hung from Holland’s bicep by her foot, a striking display of strength and balance.
Judges praised the act’s danger and precision: Howie called it both amazing and scary, Sofia found them mesmerizing, Mel B. declared them “pure perfection,” and Kenan described them as fearless and a strong unit.
Isaac Atkins – Singer
Isaac Atkins, one of Mel B.’s audition Golden Buzzers and an active-duty service member, delivered a soulful performance. His raspy, pleasant tone and confident camera presence were notable, though some judges felt he could show more range.
Mel B. praised his voice enthusiastically, Howie thanked him for his service and encouraged him to use more of his range, Kenan complimented the soulfulness of his tone, and Sofia admired his energy and confidence.
Maria – Contortionist
Maria shared a personal backstory of recovering from paralysis after a tick bite, a journey that led her to discover extraordinary flexibility through physical therapy. Her contortion routine was precise and highly flexible, though some found the act less varied than other contortion performances seen on the show.
Sofia praised Maria’s unique moves, Kenan called the routine amazing, Howie joked about how painful it looked to watch, and Mel B. felt she had improved since her previous appearance.
Elsie – Singer-Songwriter
Elsie, a country singer-songwriter who advanced from Simon’s judges callbacks, performed a rendition of “House of the Rising Sun.” She presented a swampy arrangement that aimed to make the classic her own. The performance was solid but subdued compared with some of her earlier work.
Howie noted she performed better at callbacks than on this night, Sofia felt Elsie truly owned the song, Kenan said her family should be proud, and Mel described the performance as safe and steady.
Acro Canine Crew – Dog/Acrobatic Act
Acro Canine Crew, a Golden Buzzer act from Terry, combined acrobatics with trained dogs in a cheerful beach-themed routine. The mix of precise acrobatic work and well-trained dogs created a joyful, family-friendly performance that delighted the audience.
Sofia said the act had improved since auditions, Kenan called it amazing, Mel B. praised the flawless execution, and Howie declared it the best act of the night so far, noting that it kept the audience smiling the whole way through.
Herwan Legaillard – Acrobatic Sword Swallower
Herwan returned with a dramatic sword-swallowing routine that included aerial twirls and pyrotechnic elements. Though visually engaging, some judges felt the performance didn’t reach the same level of risk or impact as his earlier audition.
Mel thought he could have pushed further, Kenan was impressed, Sofia found the act incredible, and Howie agreed it was dangerous but not as strong as the audition.
Guy Kelton Jones – Spoken Word Performer
Guy Kelton Jones delivered a powerful spoken-word piece rooted in personal perspective and social themes. His performance blended poetry with moments of musical phrasing, earning a strong emotional reaction from the judges and the audience.
The judges stood in ovation: Sofia called it beautiful and creative, Kenan described it as unbelievable, and Mel said the piece resonated deeply with her.
Kameron Marshall – Close-up Magic
Kameron, who advanced from Sofia’s judges callbacks, returned to card magic despite earlier advice to vary his material. With Kenan assisting on stage, he performed a large-scale card routine involving the audience and judges. The reveal played with expectations and included several unexpected matches between decks.
Sofia praised the entertainment value, Mel called the act fantastic, Kenan labeled the trick “insane,” and Howie thought it was enjoyable but a touch long.
Lai Noelle – Singer – Kenan Thompson’s Golden Buzzer
Fourteen-year-old Lai Noelle, originally awarded a Golden Buzzer during auditions, returned with a mature, expressive rendition of Elton John’s “Your Song.” Her vocal tone and controlled vibrato impressed the judges, making the performance stand out for its emotional maturity.
Judges lauded her as beyond her years: Mel called her “pure perfection,” Sofia said she already sounds like a major artist, and Howie praised her maturity. Kenan celebrated the performance and pressed his Golden Buzzer, sending Lai straight to the finals.
Daniel Alvarez – Comedian
Comedian Daniel Alvarez, paralyzed from the waist down after a shooting incident, delivered a sharp, personal set that drew laughs and earned admiration for his fearless delivery. He referenced current moments from the show with timely riffs and playful self-awareness.
Howie encouraged him, saying he’s destined for stardom, Sofia praised the difficulty of his material, Mel couldn’t stop laughing, and Kenan called him one of the bravest and best comedians to appear on the show.
Pynk Beard – Singer-Songwriter
Pynk Beard, an established songwriter looking to step into the spotlight as a frontman, performed an original song showcasing his craftsmanship and stage presence. His polished delivery and catchy composition suggested strong audience appeal and a likely path to the semifinals.
Kenan urged viewers to vote, Mel expressed admiration and affection for his performances, Sofia noted his experience, and Howie predicted that America would vote him through to the next round. The performance left Pynk emotionally moved.