NBC's hit competitive reality TV show America's Got Talent returns for a 16th season on June 1, 2021. At last blush, spoken word poet Brandon Leake took home the top prize after besting runners-up, Broken Roots and Cristina Rae, in a heated battle that concluded in September 2020.
While the contestants for Season 16 have yet to be announced, NBC confirmed that host Terry Crews and judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, and Sofia Vergara are all poised to reprise their roles in 2021. Of course, there have been many memorable moments in the history of AGT since its inception in 2006. Here are the best seasons of the series so far.
Season 14 (2019)
In addition to the impressive roster of diverse acts, one of the reasons that AGT season 14 ranks among the 10 best are the cast and crew shakeups. The season marked the inaugural year for new host Terry Crews and fresh-faced judges, Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough.
However, the chief reason the season soared was the gold-winning performance of 25-year-old Korean pianist and singer/songwriter Kodi Lee, who overcame legal blindness and Addison's disease as a child en route to becoming a successful performer. Lee bested the Detroit Youth Choir and stand-up comedian Ryan Niemiller to win the gold.
Season 9 (2014)
AGT season 9 marked the introduction of the Golden Buzzer to the show, giving the competition an exciting new dynamic that increased the overall entertainment value. The season also included an assorted bevy of super-talented acts, such as Mat Franco, Emily West, Drew Lynch, Mike Super, Dan Naturman, and more.
In the end, magician Mat Franco took home the $1 million prize after beating singer West and the Acro Army acrobats. Franco was not only a deserving victor as the first magician to win the show, but he's also gone on to enjoy a successful career ever since.
Season 8 (2013)
Just like season 9, Nick Cannon served as the host of AGT, while the judges were comprised of Howard Stern, Howie Mandel, Mel B, and Keidi Klum. But the real reason the season is such a standout is the history-making first-place winner, Kenichi Ebina, the first foreign-born act to win the competition.
In addition to the mime-dancing Kenichi, other dazzling and diverse acts in the season included stand-up comedian Taylor Williamson (2nd place), guitarist Jimmy Rose (3rd place), singer-songwriter Cami Bradley, magician Collins Key, and more.
Season 6 (2011)
Season 6 of AGT found Piers Morgan, Howie Mandel, and Sharon Osbourne in the judges' chair and Nick Cannon as the emcee. However, it was the awesome and unique lineup of acts that made the season so memorable.
While jazz singer Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. earned the top prize, dance group runners-up Silhouettes and Team iLuminate drew plaudits as two of the most lovable talents in the history of the show. Other standouts include semi-finalist comedienne Melissa Villasenor, who has since been cast in SNL, and the entertaining teen pop band, POPLYFE.
Season 11 (2016)
AGT Season 11 marked Nick Cannon's final year of hosting and Simon Cowell's first year of judging. The show is notable for having one of the most notorious moments in show history when a stunt went wrong when a flaming arrow was shot down a contestant's throat, live on air.
However, it was ultimately the arresting talent of 12-year-old singer/songwriter and ukulelist Grace VanderWaal that won the hearts of viewers. The Kansas native has since forged a budding music career. The season also featured the uber-talented medium group The Clairvoyants (2nd place), magician Jon Dorenbos (3rd place), juggler Viktor Kee, and teen gymnast Sophie Dossi.
Season 12 (2017)
In addition to Tyra Banks injecting a bubbly new energy into the show as a first-year host, AGT season 12 boasted a wildly impressive lineup of wide-ranging talents. In the end, ventriloquist-singer Darci Lynne won the top prize to become the third child and the third female to win AGT.
Lynne was pushed to the limit by runners-up Angelica Hale, a 10-year-old singer, and the glow-light dance troupe Light Balance, which also scored 4th place in Britain's Got Talent in 2014.
Season 13 (2018)
Host Tyra Banks and judges Mel B and Heidi Klum ended their runs following AGT season 13. But that didn't stop the season from ranking in the upper half of the series, thanks to the large variety of genuinely amusing acts led by the extremely talented magician, Shin Lim.
With a brand of close-up magic, Lim is simply one of the most impressive magicians to ever appear on the show. He was tested at every turn by the Austrian acrobatic group Zurcaroh (2nd place) and electric violinist Brian King Joseph (3rd place). The singing standouts of the season included Courtney Hadwin and Glennis Grace.
Season 10 (2015)
AGT Season 10 marked the first time the Golden Buzzer was upgraded to allow judges to send a contestant straight to the live shows. This new wrinkle increased the dramatic stakes, leading to an epic showdown between the three highly talented finalists.
With a huge assortment of acts, season 10's most memorable moments come from comedic magician Piff the Magic Dragon and The Professional Regurgitator, Stevie Starr. In the end, ventriloquist Paul Zerdin won the gold, comedian Drew Lynch the silver, and mind-reader Oz Pearlman.
Season 5 (2010)
Although she lost the top prize to worthy soul singer Michael Grimm, runner-up Jackie Evancho is arguably the single-most successful AGT alum. Upon releasing her debut EP O Holy Night in 2010, the classical-crossover crooner became the best-selling debut artist of the year, as well as the youngest solo artist to ever go platinum in the U.S.
Aside from Evancho's breathtaking performances during season 5, the show drew praise for its second runner-up, Fighting Gravity, a riveting blacklight dance troupe.
Season 7 (2012)
AGT season 7 remains the best to date. Howard Stern replacing Piers Morgan was part of the appeal, as was the visual redesign of the show's set. However, it was the unbelievable roster of talent that won the hearts and minds of viewers.
So many great acts participated in season 7, from performance artist David Garibaldi and dance group Lightwire Theater to illusionist Rudy Coby and pianist/singer Tim Hockenberry. However, when it came time to separate themselves, the uniquely talented dog tricks act Olate Dogs earned the grand prize. They were closely followed by stand-up comedian Tom Cotter and harpist William Close.