America’s Got Talent switches up the Golden Buzzer for season 19
America’s Got Talent has returned to in-person auditions, currently taping at the Pasadena Civic Center in California. For season 19 the show has amplified one of its most dramatic elements: the Golden Buzzer. Producers have increased the number of opportunities for judges and hosts to send acts directly through to the live shows, making the audition rounds more unpredictable—and more emotional—than ever.
This season each of the four judges will have two Golden Buzzers apiece, while host Terry Crews retains his single buzzer, giving the panel a total of nine Golden Buzzers to award to standout acts. A Golden Buzzer still carries the same high-stakes reward as in previous seasons: it propels a performer straight to the live performance stage, bypassing other elimination rounds.
Executive producer and judge Simon Cowell noted early in filming that the cast was using more Golden Buzzers in the opening days than in past seasons, calling it an encouraging sign for the quality of talent auditioning this year. While nine buzzers may sound like a big jump, it represents only a small increase from season 18. Last year the show distributed seven Golden Buzzers overall—each judge and the host had one, and the production also allowed a group and the audience to each award a buzzer. This season’s format change concentrates more of the decision-making power in the hands of the individual judges by giving them an additional buzzer each.
The increase in Golden Buzzers highlights the producers’ desire to reward exceptional moments and surprise viewers. For contestants, a buzzer press is both a career-changing opportunity and a major vote of confidence from a seasoned industry professional. For audiences—both in the room and at home—it creates memorable, emotional moments that often become viral highlights of the season.
America’s Got Talent will return to NBC on Tuesday, May 28, with the live shows set to begin on August 13 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Results episodes will air on Wednesday nights during the live-show portion of the season. These dates set the broadcast timeline around major summer events, including a scheduled break during the Paris Summer Olympics, which run from July 26 through August 11.
After skipping AGT: Fantasy League, Sofia Vergara returns to the AGT judges panel
Season 19’s judging panel reunites executive producer and head judge Simon Cowell with an established lineup of celebrity judges. Global fashion icon Heidi Klum, veteran comedian Howie Mandel, and beloved actress Sofía Vergara join Cowell at the judges’ table, while Terry Crews returns as host. Vergara’s return to the main series follows her absence from the spin-off competition, and her presence alongside the other judges adds both star power and personality to the critiques and Golden Buzzer decisions this season.
Together, this panel brings diverse entertainment backgrounds and perspectives: Cowell’s talent-spotting instincts, Klum’s fashion and performance sensibility, Mandel’s comedy and television savvy, and Vergara’s acting and international appeal. With Terry Crews steering the show’s energy and tempo as host, the season is shaping up to showcase an eclectic mix of performers—singers, dancers, magicians, variety acts, and more—each competing for a $1 million prize and the career-boosting exposure that comes with an AGT win.
America’s Got Talent season 19 began filming March 16 at the Pasadena Civic Center
Filming for the audition phase began on March 16 at the Pasadena Civic Center and continued through April 6. During that period the production welcomed live audiences at its usual Southern California venue; local fans had the opportunity to apply for free tickets to attend tapings. The in-person audience remains a key component of the audition experience, contributing energy, reactions, and sometimes even casting their own Golden Buzzer votes in previous seasons.
Season 18 ended with Adrian Stoica and his dog Hurricane taking the top prize, a reminder of how varied and unexpected winning acts can be. That precedent reinforces why a show like AGT continues to attract performers from many disciplines and backgrounds: the platform can transform obscure talent into household names virtually overnight.
With auditions wrapped and the Golden Buzzer count increased, fans can expect season 19 to deliver heightened drama and a wider range of contestants fast-tracked to the live rounds. The combination of a refreshed buzzer dynamic, a consistently engaging judging panel, and the Pasadena audition environment positions this season to generate standout performances and memorable moments as it moves toward the live shows this summer.