America’s Got Talent is returning in May 2023, so here’s what you need to know about season 18’s judges, start date, and where to watch.
It’s only been three months since America’s Got Talent was last on our screens, but they’re gearing up once again for season 18.
Aerialist Aidan Bryant was crowned as the first America’s Got Talent: All-Stars winner in May following his mesmerizing performance of dangerous acrobatics.
If you’re itching for more show-stopping acts, you’re in luck as the NBC talent show returns in less than two weeks. Read on for everything you need to know about AGT 2023.
Who are the judges of America’s Got Talent 2023?
Like last season, Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel will return to judge the talented acts of season 18.
It marks Vergara’s return to the franchise since 2022 as Sofia skipped out on AGT All-Stars. An official statement for the Modern Family star’s absence was never released by NBC but reports claim she was committed to an acting job.
The actress also shared images of her downtime with her husband Joe Manganiello at their Caribbean vacation home over the new year.
Sofia, 50, will star as Colombian-based cartel leader Griselda Blanco in the upcoming Netflix miniseries Griselda.
She has been keeping fans in the loop with her AGT audition updates, in which she called judging “the best job in the world”. It looks like she’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
Who is the host of AGT season 18?
The judges are not the only familiar faces; Terry Crews will also return as host. The White Chicks actor joined the AGT franchise in 2019’s season 14 after hosting America’s Got Talent: The Champions.
He took over from Tyra Banks after the latter reportedly left to focus on TV production. “I think I had a really nice run with AGT,” she told Access. “I had a lot, a lot of fun. I’m really focusing on Life Size. I’m going to be producing TV and I have a massive project starting next year.”
So far, Terry’s best moments include the time he busted out his flute to join the comedy music group Lewberger during their audition. In true Terry fashion, the host was shirtless and he only crashed the performance because the song literally told him to take his shirt off.
Crews also joined David Rush on stage in 2020 for an epic T-shirt-ripping race. The actor aimed to beat Rush’s world record of 30 shirts within one minute, but ultimately the contestant retained the crown.
America’s Got Talent season 18: Start date, time, and finale
Season 18 will air on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 8pm ET on NBC. It will be available to stream on Peacock.
The premiere will run for two hours long and the finale will arrive on September 20, 2023, meaning there are 16 total episodes.
You can vote via the official America’s Got Talent app; voting opens at the beginning of the show on Tuesdays and closes at 7am ET on Wednesdays.
The judge auditions began filming the weekend of March 25; although it is the first round available on TV, it is actually the second round of auditions within the process. Participants first perform in front of the casting team and producers. Interesting talents are then put through to executive producers before making it to the on-stage judge auditions.
Auditions filming typically takes around 23 days and backstage staff have no idea when the judges will use their Golden Buzzer.
Where is the previous winner now?
Lebanese female alternative dance group, The Mayyas won America’s Got Talent season 17. Their audition, which has over 24 million views, scored Sofia’s golden buzzer.
The dance team, choreographed by Nadim Cherfan, took home the $1 million prize money and has gone on to bigger things.
They performed with Beyonce at her highly-anticipated appearance at the Atlantis The Royal Dubai Hotel opening. Queen Bey was paid $24 million for her one-hour concert, likely because it was her first full performance in over four years.
The Mayyas recently worked on a collaboration with luxury brand Tiffany & Co and Marie Claire magazine.
All-Stars winner Aidan Bryant, meanwhile, has continued his career with AGT. He is among the line-up of show favorites for America’s Got Talent’s Las Vegas residency. Named America’s Got Talent Presents Superstars Live, the nightly performances showcase an ensemble of winners, finalists, and Golden Buzzer acts across the years.
The self-taught aerialist, 17, has also worked with Cirque Du Soleil and despite his dangerous performances, he has never fallen from his equipment.