"America's Got Talent" Season 21 officially entered live-show territory Tuesday night, as the first group of 11 acts took the Pasadena Civic Auditorium stage to compete for America's votes - and one act didn't even need them.
The night opened with a gospel-tinged rendition of "Unwritten" from a choir act founded by siblings raised in a strict religious home, setting an emotional tone judge Sofía Vergara called "the perfect way to start the live shows."
The biggest moment came from magic group Hundred Fingers, whose fire, floating masks, and lyrical dance sequence prompted Howie Mandel to hit his Golden Buzzer without waiting for the other judges' input, sending the act straight to the finals. Terry Crews' own Golden Buzzer pick from earlier rounds, light-based dance trio Royal Lasers, also returned to the stage, this time performing for America's vote rather than a guaranteed spot.
Rapper Luke Taleno, a Cuban-born Golden Buzzer recipient who has battled leukemia, delivered an autobiographical performance that brought Simon Cowell to call his talent "special," while Howie joked he'd soon be "spelling Eminem, L.T."
Other standout performances included singer Brook Lynn, whose emotionally raw vocals impressed Mel B, mentalist duo James & Marina, comedian Cris Sosa, and a crowd-pleasing dog act from Olivia Befus.
With Howie's buzzer already spent, the remaining acts are now in America's hands. Results air Wednesday night, alongside a special performance from K-pop group NCT 127, revealing which three acts join Hundred Fingers in the semifinals - and which will be going home.
