America’s Got Talent 2026 Semifinals Live Recap & Performances
The America’s Got Talent 2026 live shows reach their semifinals tonight (Sept 15), featuring twelve acts competing for a spot in next week’s finale. Four Golden Buzzer acts have already secured places in the finals, and tonight the audience will help decide which six of the remaining contestants move forward. Voting is open via the AGT app, NBC.com, and the show’s official TikTok voting post.
Judges Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Mel B are on the panel this season, with Terry Crews hosting. Simon Cowell is absent for this semifinal night, so the decisions and reactions come from the three judges in attendance.
Acro Canine Crew – Animal Act
Acro Canine Crew delivered a lighthearted, high-energy performance built around playful puppies and acrobatic formations. With a pink slumber-party theme, the dogs executed joyful leaps and coordinated tricks while the handlers formed striking acrobatic shapes. The combination of athleticism and charm made it an immediately winning crowd-pleaser.
The judges praised the group’s entertainment value: Mel B called them fun and different, Sofia said there wasn’t a dull moment, and Howie declared it his favorite of the night and urged viewers to vote.
Kameron Marshall – Magician
Kameron returned with another intricate card routine that involved both the audience and the judges. The act revolved around matching selections and a reveal tied to a personal tattoo, relying on classic sleight-of-hand and audience participation. While technically solid, the routine felt familiar and a bit hard to follow at times.
Sofia noted his steady improvement, Howie praised his rise and Toronto roots, and Mel B labeled him brilliant—overall positive feedback about his chances for the finals.
Cesar Dias – Comedy Singer
Cesar delivered his trademark physical comedy paired with singing, leaning into a series of staged mishaps that define his act. While his timing and physicality are impressive, the repetitive nature of the shtick can wear thin; the same gag repeated across the performance reduced its overall impact.
The judges reacted with mixed sentiments: Sofia and Howie enjoyed the humor, Mel B felt the act could have been elevated, and there was consensus that while Cesar is talented, this particular routine may not be strong enough to carry him into the final round.
Veronika Goroshkova – Aerial Pole Performer
Veronika’s routine combined aerial acrobatics with advanced pole work, featuring dramatic drops and high-altitude maneuvers. Her strength and grace stood out as she moved fluidly through challenging positions, creating a thrilling, elevated performance that captivated the audience.
Judges praised the increasing difficulty and flawless execution: Sofia admired the escalating challenge, Mel B called the routine elegant and seamless, and Howie highlighted her speed and bravery, describing her performance as a standout.
Luke Taleno – Rapper
Luke’s performance celebrated his journey to U.S. citizenship, with a patriotic rap that touched on personal themes. Vocally, he showed confidence and stage presence, although the material and delivery didn’t fully distinguish him from other pop-rap acts.
Howie—who gave him a Golden Buzzer earlier—spoke warmly about Luke achieving his dream, Mel liked his heart and swagger, and Sofia called him a superstar in the making, offering encouragement as he aims for the finals.
Royal Lasers – Laser Dance Group
Royal Lasers presented a polished, high-energy laser and dance routine. Their choreography combines vibrant lighting with synchronized movement, creating visually arresting sequences that likely play even stronger in person than on television.
The judges complimented their timing and artistry: Mel called the choreography “on point,” Howie praised the artistic vision, and Sofia noted the group’s steady improvement since earlier rounds.
Olivia Befus – Animal Act
Olivia returned with a sports-themed routine featuring three well-trained dogs. Using racquets, soccer balls and a jump rope, she choreographed clever tricks that highlighted the dogs’ skills and the bond between trainer and animals. Performing solo, Olivia showcased strong rapport and stage control.
Sofia described her as creative and noted how much the dogs clearly enjoy the work, Howie admired the execution while acknowledging stiff competition from other acts, and Mel praised Olivia’s solo accomplishment and the act’s charm.
Young & Strange – Magicians
Young & Strange leaned heavily into comedy alongside their magic, enlisting two adorable audience volunteers and delivering jokes that often eclipsed the illusions themselves. Their act favored playful interaction and theatrical timing as much as technical magic.
The judges were split: Sofia observed the comedic emphasis, Mel preferred their previous performance, while Howie applauded their consistent delivery and charm. The routine’s humor and clever staging earned it positive reactions overall.
Come Here – Dance Group
Come Here presented a bold fusion of hip hop, ballet and contemporary styles. The choreographer, influenced by time spent in the U.S., crafted a freer, hybrid movement vocabulary for the South Korean troupe that felt fresh and emotionally resonant.
All three judges rose to their feet: Mel called the performance simply beautiful and encouraged viewers to vote, Sofia praised their professionalism and unique identity, and Howie said they were his favorite human dance troupe, arguing they deserved a direct path to the finale.
Daniel Alvarez – Comedian
Daniel, a survivor of gun violence who uses a wheelchair, brought a set focused on his life experiences, family dynamics and sharp observational humor. He wove personal material into accessible, self-deprecating jokes that emphasized resilience and perspective.
Howie found him very likable and encouraged the audience to vote, Mel felt his set started slowly but improved, and Sofia commended his ability to keep material fresh. Despite a slightly uneven night, Daniel connected with the crowd and the judges.
Geno Ploeger – Magician
Geno presented close-up magic rooted in his recent college experiences. His routine used everyday props like notebooks and hats, employing smooth misdirection and clean switching to create surprising reveals. The clarity and simplicity of his effects made them especially satisfying.
The judges praised his poise and precision: Sofia called the performance flawless, Howie felt he rose to the occasion, and Mel named him her favorite act of the night, describing the magic as superb.
Travis Garland – Singer
Travis delivered a dynamic vocal performance, moving from a low register into powerful head voice and finishing on dramatic high notes. The arrangement showcased his range and control, and theatrical flourishes—like wind effects—amplified the moment.
Mel praised his risk-taking and vocal navigation despite a shaky opening, Sofia said his voice gave her chills, and Howie called him an amazing singer. Overall, Travis demonstrated vocal versatility that could resonate with voters as the semifinals conclude.
Tonight’s semifinals offered a wide variety of talent—animal acts, dance troupes, magicians, singers and comedians—all fighting for a limited number of final spots. With audience voting deciding who advances, several performances stood out as likely favorites: Veronika Goroshkova, Come Here, Geno Ploeger and both canine acts earned strong praise, while the competition remains tight across the board. Results will be revealed during Wednesday’s results show (Sept 16).