The final of “America’s Got Talent” takes place on Tuesday, September 18 and is promising to be one of the most exciting in the 13-year history of “AGT” according to our exclusive winner predictions. While teen singing sensation Courtney Hadwin has been the frontrunner all season, she could stumble on this live show. Poised to snatch the crown is master magician Shin Lim. They competed on separate semifinals, with Shin Lim among the five acts making it through on the first semi and Courtney numbering among the top five from the second semi. Read our recaps of their performances on those two semiflnals as well as the rest of the eight other finalists and then cast your vote in our poll for the act that you think has the best chance to be crowned season 13 “AGT” champ on Wednesday (Sept. 19). And be sure to sound off in our comments section at the bottom of this post, especially if you think the winner will be someone other than these two. Vicki Barbolak: stand-up (Semi Final 2) This sassy comedienne had the judges and audience laughing at her put-downs and send-ups. Samuel J. Comroe: stand-up comedian (Semi Final 1) The focus of his set was back on his Tourettes and won him the Dunkin’ Save. Duo Transcend: Trapeze artists (Semi Final 1) This married duo of acrobats did a dazzling routine set that had the audience and judges holding their collective breath. They won a sudden-death judges choice which went to the popular vote. Daniel Emmet: opera singer (Semi Final 2) He soared to new heights with “Somewhere” from “West Side Story.” Glennis Grace: singer (Semi Final 2) She had the audience cheering her cover of “This Woman’s Work” by Maxwell. SIGN UP for Gold Derby’s newsletter with experts’ latest predictions Courtney Hadwin: singer (Semi Final 2) This little girl with the big voice delivered once again with a rollicking rendition of “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf. Brian King Joseph: electric violinist (Semi Final 2) He performed a dazzling routine that was electrifying in more ways than one. Michael Ketterer: singer (Semi Final 1) Simon Cowell‘s Golden Buzzer had the audience cheering his cover of “When I Look at You” by Miley Cyrus. Shin Lim: Magician (Semi Final 1) This master of the sleight of hand had both Mel B and Heidi Klum help him with a trick that dazzled the audience with its daring. Zucaroh: dance troupe (Semi Final 1) Tyra Banks‘ Golden Buzzer were awe-inspiring in their routine inspired by ancient Greek gods. Do you think Courtney or Shin Lim will win or can one of these other acts pull off an upset? Vote in our poll below and be sure to sound off in the comments section. Be sure to make your predictions so that the contestants can see how they’re faring in our racetrack odds. You can keep changing your predictions until just before the live shows air every Wednesday on NBC. You’ll compete to win bragging rights and a $100 Amazon gift certificate. See our contest rules and sound off with other fans in our reality TV forum.<doc-sep>Only five of the dozen acts to perform on the Sept. 12 semifinal of “America’s Got Talent” will make it through to the finals when results are announced on Wednesday’s live episode of “AGT.” Based on our exclusive “AGT” predictions, Angelica Hale is the overwhelming favorite to win this fifth live show. This little girl with the big voice has been a frontrunner since getting the Golden Buzzer from guest judge Chris Hardwick several weeks back. Singer/songwriter Mandy Harvey will also make the cut. During her June 6 audition, this deaf singer/songwriter inspired the hard-hearted Cowell to soften with her own tune “Try.” He pressed his Golden Buzzer and sent her straight through to the live show, where she dazzled once again with an original composition, “Mara’s Song.” Tyra Banks‘ Golden Buzzer act Light Balance is predicted to move on as well, assuming that there are no more technical issues such as plagued them in the quarter final when producers had to substitute the dress rehearsal footage of their dazzling routine. Also tipped to make it through to the final are two other dance acts: Merrick Hanna, a 12-year-old who has inspired the four judges with Simon Cowell singling him out as a special talent, and Diavolo, an acrobatic troupe that dressed as space travelers and defied gravity with their routine. The five acts predicted to be eliminated are: mind reader Colin Cloud, a capella group In the Stairwell and singers Christian Guardino, Kechi Okwuchi, and Celine Tam. The eleventh act will be chosen by the judges from those performers from the three quarterfinals who did not advance to this stage. Do you agree with these predicted results? Hurry — make your “AGT” Season 12 predictions for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift certificate. It’s fun and easy, so start predicting right now. Be sure to make your predictions so that the contestants can see how they’re faring in our racetrack odds. You can keep changing your predictions until just before the live shows air every Wednesday on NBC. You’ll compete to win bragging rights and a $100 Amazon gift certificate. See our contest rules and sound off with other fans in our reality TV forum.<doc-sep>NBC With ten versatile and brilliant acts in this "America's Got Talent" performance finale, we can't possibly predict the winner ... but we did anyway. After tonight's performance finale, we might have to change the name of "America's Got Talent" to "America's Got Too Much Talent." Ten acts performed, and I'm ready to award the million dollars to just about all of them. Last season, it was almost obvious that 12-year-old ventriloquist Darci Lynne was going to win, but I have absolutely no confidence in calling it this year ... not that this stopped me. And we got a true variety show, with only four of the six acts vocalists, and little Courtney Hadwin is in a class of her own. With two comedians, a trapeze act, a magician, a violinist and a dance crew to round it out, it was a versatile night of great entertainment. In fact, one act was so flawlessly executed, Simon Cowell started genuinely pondering building a reality show around it. And I cannot tell a lie, I've been trying to set my DVR to record it ever since. Only one act can win the headline act in Vegas, but I imagine several of the finalists will be invited to be a part of it, and this night is going to jumpstart a lot of dreams and launch a lot of careers. The saddest part of it is that it all ends tomorrow night, meaning we won't get to see them again next week. Fair warning, since I'm safe at home, I'm probably going to be a little harsher than my colleagues Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell. But I might be nicer, too. Maybe. Even though it's basically a crap shoot this year, I'm gonna rank them from worst to first to see who emerges as my winner. Daniel Emmet (opera singer) Daniel compromised Mel B's desire to hear him sing in Italian with his own penchant for doing modern songs by exploring Andrea Bocelli's performance of "Perfect Symphony" with Ed Sheeran. And his voice was so perfectly suited for it, the performance was utterly transcendent. He could have just stepped out of a recording studio with that vocal and gotten a thumbs up; it was that good. Opera has won this show before, but there is a lot of talent this year, and performing second is going to make it easier for him to be overlooked by voters. Duo Transcend (trapeze act) Props for a brilliant ending, with her holding and dropping him. Not every danger stunt worked as beautifully as they'd probably hoped, but doing the entire routine with him blindfolded certainly added an element of true danger and some of those moves were mesmerizing to watch. This is one of the most unique acts we've seen make it to a finals on "AGT," but I'm not sure it's quite strong enough to beat out its competitors Still, they are brilliant in what they do, and some variety show in Vegas should totally make them a part of its show so they can have their dream regardless of what happens here. Samuel J. Comroe (comedian) Unfortunately, Samuel has to compare to Vicki on the night, and she outperformed him overall. Samuel is a bit of a slow burn, which fits his Southern style and charm, but it meant his set took a bit to really get going, and the first few jokes didn't land as sharply. By the end, though, I thought he was landing everything well, and we'd been fully immersed in his world. It's hard to sell comedy in such a short span. Samuel would do great with a half-hour or hour special to tell his story, but I'm afraid this chapter won't be enough to win, though it should help him kickstart his career to the next level. Glennis Grace (singer) I love that she went a different direction with Snow Patrol's "Run," but at the same time made it sound absolutely like a signature Glennis Grace song. Her voice is so effortlessly powerful when it needs to be, and her control of each note is masterful. She really does perform like someone who's been doing this professionally for so long that it's second nature to her, which Howie hinted at. She's had a vocal career in the Netherlands and now she's trying to come stateside, and with a voice like that, there should be nothing standing in her way of achieving her goals. Also, that dress ... those lines were mesmerizing! Brian King Joseph (violinist) Once again, BKJ knows how to put on a show with his violin. His sound was on point tonight, but it was his theatricality that really sold the overall performance. Sure, he mugged a little aggressively for the camera, but you could feel the excitement coming off of him. I don't know how much input he had on his stage production, but it was fresh and interesting and gave you things to look at as he injected cool new life into modern track, "Heartless." I'm not sure it's a winning performance, but it's a career-shaping one and Brian King Joseph will be fine after this. Courtney Hadwin (singer) Courtney is something special, and definitely someone who's career I'll be monitoring from this day forward, but I don't think that take on Tina Turner's "River Deep Mountain High is going to win her this show. She was an early favorite, but I think song choice has hindered her these past couple of performances. She's absolutely someone who deserves a chance to grow into the unique artist that lives inside of her. And she's one of the most unique performers to ever hit that "AGT" stage. Maybe she'll win it all anyway. Michael Ketterer (singer) The world's kindest and most sweetest man wrapped the show with an emotionally wrought performance of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," and it brought the house to tears.<doc-sep>This is it. The top 10 acts from "America's Got Talent" laid it all on the line during their final performances before the winner of $1 million and a chance to headline at a Las Vegas casino is crowned Wednesday (NBC, 8 EDT/PDT). Before the show began, judge Simon Cowell predicted Tuesday's performances would make all the difference in the sprint to the finish line: "Of all the finals, this is the most open. ... I think some of you tonight are going to have life-changing moments." He was right. Electric violinist Brian King Joseph set the bar high for the entire show with a rendition of Kanye West's "Heartless." Dressed in all white, Joseph battled his painful nerve condition to give a riveting final performance that featured pyrotechnics and flashing lights. His act brought all the judges to their feet. Howie Mandel said: "I can’t believe that we opened the show with what I would consider a closer." Cowell added: "This is everything this show should be. ... I think you’ve got a real shot here.” Opera Singer Daniel Emmet performed Ed Sheeran's "Perfect Symphony" in Italian after clawing his way to the finals. Judge Melanie Brown said this performance brought back his "original sound." Cowell called his performance "powerful" and "way better than last week, apart from the jacket," calling out Emmet's shiny black blazer. Comedian Vicki Barbolak – aka Ms. Trailer Nasty – left it all on the stage during her last performance, which many judges dubbed her best. “I thought the final was going to be a swimsuit competition,” the comedian said before ripping off her animal-print robe to reveal a bathing suit. The laughs didn't stop there. Barbolak shared her idea of a female-friendly version of "Hooters" called "Woodpeckers," to which Heidi Klum replied, "There is nothing I love more than a big fat German sausage." Cowell even suggested she star in a reality show with her trailer-park friends as an alternative to “Keeping Up the Kardashians." Powerhouse singer Glennis Grace brought down the house with a breathtaking performance of "Run" by Snow Patrol. The devoted mother, who's son was in attendance tonight, believes "there is a chance I can win," and the judges seemed to agree. Cowell called her voice "absolutely sensational" and Klum called her voice "the real deal." Up next was the acrobatic group Zurcaroh. Tyra Banks' Golden Buzzer act transformed the stage into a jungle during a tribal routine to “Baba Yetu,” complete with a human jump rope and plenty of astounding lifts. The performance brought everyone to their feet, receiving by far the loudest applause from the audience. Mandel's remarks were completely overwhelmed by the crowd's cheers. Mel B said, "I have a funny feeling that you can win this entire show." Klum added that the group is "ready for Vegas." The second comedian, Samuel J. Comroe, took the stage after sharing a heartbreaking story of losing his mother. He joked about his relationship, rude people and how someone with Tourette syndrome uses the bathroom. Mel B could be heard laughing throughout Comroe's set. The former Spice Girl complimented his "delivery" and "swagger." Cowell said, "You have given yourself a shot after that," and Mandel agreed: "I think your mother is looking down on you ... your career just took off tonight." Standout singer Courtney Hadwin took the stage after visiting iconic places around Los Angeles where her idols, such as James Brown, Otis Redding and Janis Joplin, performed. She held nothing back singing Tina Turner's “River Deep, Mountain High.” Her rendition started out slow before showcasing her signature high notes and eccentric dance moves, which Mel B thought would "snap" her legs. Mandel called his Golden Buzzer winner a "superstar" and Cowell said Hadwin is more than just a singer: "Every time you perform you inspire people, you are more than a great singer, you are a trendsetter." Magician Shin Lim revealed he was training to be a concert pianist, but chose magic after being diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. He began his set playing the piano in front of a Halloween-inspired backdrop, while documenting his journey. He then moved to mind-bending card tricks that are hard to put into words. Mandel tried, adding it was a "$1 million act worthy of it's own show in Vegas." Cowell agreed, "this can actually win." Mel B said he proves magic does exist. Acrobatic couple Duo Transcend continued to push the envelope and took trust to a whole new level during their intense trapeze routine. Their performance incorporated drum beats, more gravity-defying stunts and, in a twist, Mary held – and dropped – Tyce (on purpose). Mel B said America doesn't realize how strong you have to be to do this act. Mandel said "every week seems like a winning act." Klum added that it was "exciting," "sexy" and "dangerous." Last but not least was singer Michael Ketterer. Before his performance, an emotional Ketterer received special messages from people he inspired. Cowell's Golden Buzzer choice performed Diana Ross' “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” His rendition didn't receive the best reviews from the judges. Mel B called the song a "brave" choice and Klum noted that she could hear his nerves, but it may be Ketterer's inspiring story that tugs on America's heartstrings. Cowell said he hopes Ketterer's family wins the grand prize. The winner of "AGT" will be announced on Wednesday night's two-hour show. Related: 'America's Got Talent:' Christina Wells honors Aretha Franklin with body-positive message<doc-sep>
The winner of “America’s Got Talent” will be revealed on Wednesday’s live results show. According to our exclusive survey of “AGT” viewers, singer Courtney Hadwin and magician Shin Lim are locked in a tight race to take the title. But watch out for stand-up comic Vicki Barbalok who had a great set on Tuesday’s final. All three of these acts had competed against each other on the first of the three quarterfinals. They numbered among the seven sent through to the semi-finals. Shin Lim shone on the first semifinal and was among the five acts that night to make it to the final. Likewise, Courtney and Vicki were among the five standouts on the second semifinal. Read our recaps of their performances as well as the seven other finalists and then cast your vote in our poll for the act that you think has the best chance to be crowned season 13 “AGT” champ on Wednesday (Sept. 19). And be sure to sound off in our comments section at the bottom of this post, especially if your winner prediction is for someone other than these three. SEE Courtney Hadwin on ‘America’s Got Talent’: Was ‘River Deep, Mountain High’ her best performance? Vicki Barbolak: stand-up This sassy comedienne had the judges and audience laughing at her put-downs and send-ups. Samuel J. Comroe: stand-up comedian His set was a series of rapid-fire jokes that impressed both the audience and panel. Duo Transcend: Trapeze artists This married duo of acrobats did a dazzling routine set that had the audience and judges holding their collective breath. Daniel Emmet: opera singer (Semi Final 2) He soared to new heights with an operatic version of “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran. Glennis Grace: singer (Semi Final 2) She had the audience cheering her cover of “Run” by Snow Patrol. SIGN UP for Gold Derby’s newsletter with experts’ latest predictions Courtney Hadwin: singer (Semi Final 2) Howie Mandel‘s Golden Buzzer delivered once again with a rollicking rendition of “River Deep, Mountain High” by Tina Turner. Brian King Joseph: electric violinist (Semi Final 2) He performed a dazzling routine set to “Heartless” by Kanye West. Michael Ketterer: singer (Semi Final 1) Simon Cowell‘s Golden Buzzer had the audience cheering his cover of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Diana Ross. Shin Lim: Magician (Semi Final 1) This master of the sleight of hand had host Tyra Banks help him with a trick that dazzled the audience with its daring. Zucaroh: dance troupe (Semi Final 1) Tyra’s Golden Buzzer were awe-inspiring with their jungle-themed routine. Do you think Courtney, Shin Lim or Vicki will win? Or can one of these other acts pull off an upset? Vote in our poll below and be sure to sound off in the comments section. Be sure to make your predictions so that the contestants can see how they’re faring in our racetrack odds. You can keep changing your predictions until just before the live show airs on Wednesday on NBC. You’ll compete to win bragging rights and a $100 Amazon gift certificate. See our contest rules and sound off with other fans in our reality TV forum.