AGT 2026 Semifinals: 12 Acts Battle for 6 Spots
The AGT 2026 Semifinals delivered a packed night of performances as 12 remaining acts returned to the America’s Got Talent stage on September 15, 2026. With only six places available in the Finals, the contestants had one last opportunity to impress viewers before the public vote determined who would continue in Season 21. TTV Insider+1
The episode featured an unusually broad mix of entertainment. Viewers saw magic, comedy, aerial acrobatics, dance, dog acts, lasers, original music and vocal performances.
There was also an important change to the judging dynamic. Simon Cowell was absent again, leaving Howie Mandel, Mel B and Sofía Vergara to react to the performances. More importantly, there was no Live Golden Buzzer available during the semifinals.
That meant the six acts advancing to the Finals would be determined by viewers.
According to TV Insider, host Terry Crews reminded the audience that the semifinalists were competing directly for their places in the ultimate showdown. Voting remained open until Wednesday morning, with the results scheduled for the September 16 episode. TTV Insider
AGT 2026 Semifinals Put America in Control
The semifinal format made the audience vote particularly important.
Unlike earlier stages where judges could influence the competition with Golden Buzzer decisions, the 12 performers had to rely on their performances and support from viewers.
NBC’s voting information says live voting opens during the show and closes at 7 a.m. ET the following morning. Eligible viewers can vote through NBC.com and the official America’s Got Talent app. Hhelp.nbc.com+1
The stakes were therefore straightforward: six semifinalists would move into the Finals, while six others would see their Season 21 journey end.
The 12 AGT 2026 Semifinalists
The semifinal lineup consisted of:
- Acro Canine Crew
- Kameron Marshall
- Veronika Goroshkova
- Daniel Alvarez
- Geno Ploeger
- Travis Garland
- Luke Taleno
- Olivia Befus
- Come Here
- Royal Lasers
- Young & Strange
- Cesar Dias
The group represented nearly every major performance category associated with America’s Got Talent.
Geno Ploeger Delivers a Magic-Filled Performance
Magic was strongly represented during the AGT 2026 Semifinals, with Geno Ploeger among the contestants looking to secure a Finals place.
Ploeger’s routine combined cards, predictions and audience participation. One of the memorable elements involved Howie Mandel selecting a card, while Ploeger incorporated the choice into a larger prediction.
He also involved the judges in the routine, including Sofía Vergara and Mel B.
The reaction was particularly notable from Mel B, who described Ploeger as her favorite act of the night, according to TV Insider. Vergara called the performance flawless, while Mandel also praised the magician’s abilities. TTV Insider
Ploeger therefore entered the results episode with strong comments from the judging panel, although the final decision belonged to America’s voters.
Veronika Goroshkova Takes Her Aerial Act Higher
Veronika Goroshkova returned with another demanding aerial performance.
The aerialist performed high above the stage and audience, incorporating rapid movement, spinning and acrobatic elements into her routine.
Her semifinal performance was set to Olivia Rodrigo’s “Stupid Song,” creating a contrast between the pop track and the physical difficulty of the act.
The judges responded positively.
Sofía Vergara highlighted the way Goroshkova has increased the challenge from one round to the next. Mel B described the performance as elegant and seemingly effortless, while Howie Mandel focused on the speed and height involved. TTV Insider
For Goroshkova, the challenge was not simply repeating what had worked previously. The semifinal required another escalation at a point when every contestant was attempting to make a lasting impression on viewers.
Luke Taleno Brings His Personal Story to the Stage
Luke Taleno took a different approach by putting his personal journey at the center of his semifinal performance.
The singer and rapper performed an original song connected to his experiences and aspirations after coming to the United States from Cuba.
Rather than relying on a familiar cover, Taleno used original material to tell his story.
The judges responded to the emotional component of the performance. Howie Mandel connected Taleno’s story with the American dream, while Mel B praised the passion behind the presentation. Vergara also expressed strong enthusiasm for what she saw on stage. HHollywood Outbreak
Original songs can provide contestants with an opportunity to distinguish themselves because the performance becomes connected not only to vocal ability but also to the performer’s own identity.
Acro Canine Crew Returns With Another Dog Spectacle
Acro Canine Crew brought plenty of energy to the AGT 2026 Semifinals.
The acrobatic dog act returned with a sleepover-themed routine set to Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”
The performance combined trained dogs, choreography and acrobatic tricks.
Acro Canine Crew had already received Terry Crews’ Golden Buzzer during the auditions, making the group one of the more recognizable acts in the semifinal lineup. TTALENT RECAP+1
But the semifinal performance still carried significant pressure.
The group was competing directly against another dog act, Olivia Befus, meaning viewers had two very different approaches to canine performance to consider.
Olivia Befus Gives the Dogs Another Chance
Olivia Befus also returned with her dogs for the semifinal.
Her performance used a tennis-themed concept and placed an emphasis on timing between the animals and the music.
Befus is notable because she handles the training herself, a point that received attention from the judges during the show. Her semifinal routine required coordination, preparation and precise timing. OOur Midland+1
The presence of two dog acts created an unusual dynamic within the semifinal.
Rather than comparing performers from completely different genres, viewers could directly compare two acts built around animal training and performance.
The results would ultimately reveal whether viewers sent one, both or neither of the dog acts into the Finals.
Daniel Alvarez Keeps the Comedy Alive
Daniel Alvarez was the final comedian remaining in the Season 21 competition.
For his semifinal set, Alvarez once again used his own experiences as the foundation for his material.
He opened with a joke about competing against magicians while wishing they could somehow make legs appear for him. He then moved into jokes about growing up with six sisters.
Howie Mandel praised Alvarez’s personality and the conversational quality of his comedy. Mel B felt the set took some time to develop, while Vergara acknowledged the challenge comedians face when they must continually produce fresh material over multiple rounds. TTV Insider+1
Comedy is particularly demanding in a competition format because contestants cannot simply reproduce their audition material. Each round requires a new routine that must work within a limited amount of stage time.
Young & Strange Divide the Judges
British magic duo Young & Strange also competed during the semifinal.
Their performance incorporated members of the audience, including children, into an illusion-based routine.
The judges had different reactions.
Howie Mandel enjoyed the comedic component and audience interaction. Vergara thought the routine leaned more heavily toward comedy than magic, while Mel B was less convinced by the overall performance. HHollywood Outbreak
That disagreement highlighted one of the defining features of the AGT 2026 Semifinals.
The judges could offer opinions, but their reactions could not directly determine who reached the Finals. The decision belonged to viewers.
Come Here Brings High-Energy Dance
South Korean dance group Come Here delivered a performance built around Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire.”
The group combined contemporary choreography with different dance styles and emphasized synchronization and energy.
Mel B praised the group’s energy, while Vergara described the performance as mesmerizing and unique. Mandel also offered a humorous distinction when discussing his appreciation for the group. HHollywood Outbreak
Dance has long been a major part of the America’s Got Talent format, but the semifinal lineup demonstrated how varied the category can be.
Come Here’s performance focused on human choreography, while another semifinal act, Royal Lasers, combined dance with technology and visual effects.
Royal Lasers Combines Dance and Technology
Royal Lasers returned with another large-scale production combining movement, lighting and technology.
The act’s appeal is built around the combination of choreography and visual spectacle. Instead of relying solely on traditional dance, the performers use technology as a central component of the presentation.
The judges highlighted the precision required to execute such a complicated routine and the amount of work involved in creating the production. HHollywood Outbreak
With only six places available in the Finals, the challenge for Royal Lasers was to make a technically complex performance memorable enough for viewers to support it.
Kameron Marshall Makes Magic Personal
Kameron Marshall used a personal milestone as part of his semifinal magic routine.
After reaching the semifinals, Marshall had celebrated by getting a tattoo. During his performance, he incorporated audience participation and selections made during the routine before connecting them to the tattoo.
Sofía Vergara praised Marshall’s progress throughout the competition. The performance also gave the judges another example of how he has developed his act over the course of Season 21. TTV Insider
Marshall was competing in a crowded magic category alongside Geno Ploeger and Young & Strange.
With three magic acts appearing in the same semifinal, each had to offer viewers a distinct reason to remember the performance.
Cesar Dias Keeps His Unusual Comedy-Music Act Going
Cesar Dias continued his intentionally awkward musical comedy style during the semifinal.
This time, he performed Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” while incorporating physical comedy and a wardrobe mishap into the routine.
Mandel noted that viewers were already familiar with the concept behind Dias’ act, potentially making surprise more difficult to achieve. Vergara nevertheless acknowledged the entertainment value, while Mel B wanted the act to take the idea further. HHollywood Outbreak
Dias’ semifinal performance once again showed how America’s Got Talent accommodates acts that do not fit neatly into conventional categories.
Travis Garland Closes the Night
Travis Garland had the final performance of the evening.
The singer chose Billie Eilish’s “when the party’s over” and delivered a vocal-focused interpretation designed to showcase his range.
Garland incorporated several high notes into the performance, prompting a strong response from the audience.
Mel B acknowledged Garland’s willingness to take risks but suggested the performance became stronger as it progressed. Vergara reacted particularly strongly to Garland’s vocals, according to TV Insider. TTV Insider
As the final performer of the semifinal episode, Garland had the additional challenge of being the act viewers saw immediately before voting closed.
What Happens After the AGT 2026 Semifinals?
The AGT 2026 Semifinals concluded with all 12 contestants waiting for America’s decision.
Six performers will advance to the Season 21 Finals. They will join four contestants who had already secured places through Golden Buzzer-related routes earlier in the competition: Unitree, Lai Noelle, Hundred Fingers and Nene Royal. TTV Insider
The semifinal results are scheduled for September 16, 2026, when the six finalists from this round will be announced.
NBC’s published Season 21 schedule lists the final performances for September 22 and the finale results for September 23. TTheTVDB
That leaves the semifinalists with little time between their performances and the announcement of the results.
AGT 2026 Semifinals Voting Details
For viewers following the competition, NBC says voting through its official platforms opens during the live show and closes at 7 a.m. ET the following day. The official America’s Got Talent app and NBC.com are among the available voting methods. Hhelp.nbc.com+1
Voting availability is restricted to eligible voters in the United States and Puerto Rico under NBC’s stated rules. Hhelp.nbc.com
The official NBC resources can be found through NBC’s America’s Got Talent coverage and its voting information.
For additional reporting and the original performance recap, see the TV Insider report used as the primary source.
The Road to the Finale
The semifinal episode brought together 12 very different acts, making the competition particularly diverse.
Magic acts shared the stage with comedians, singers, dancers, aerial performers and dog trainers. Some performers relied on technical precision, while others emphasized storytelling, humor or emotional connection.
The judges provided their reactions throughout the night, but the format ultimately placed the decision with viewers.
The September 16 results episode will determine which six semifinalists move forward. Those acts will then prepare for the final performances on September 22, with the Season 21 winner scheduled to be revealed on September 23. TTheTVDB
For now, the AGT 2026 Semifinals have delivered their final performances. The next chapter depends on the audience vote.
