America’s Got Talent Secrets Revealed: Auditions, Prize Money & More

Watch: America’s Got Talent Season 20 Winner Revealed

America’s got…a whole lot of talent to watch.

Because after weeks of auditions and judges’ callbacks, it’s finally time for the America’s Got Talent Live Shows.

Forty-four acts have made it to the season 21 quarterfinals, each bringing their unique talents to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium stage in California. There are musicians, comedians, magicians, dancers, stunt performers, contortionists and animal trainers—just to name a few.

So yes, you could say judges Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Melanie “Mel B” Brown and Howie Mandel have their hands full. But ultimately, the contestants’ fates rest in the hands of viewers. Because while each judge gave five acts that originally didn’t make it past the auditions a second chance in the callback round by advancing them to the Live Shows, NBC notes the judges can no longer use their golden buzzers, wild cards or saves to prevent contestants from being eliminated. Instead, the results will come down to the audience’s votes.

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Still, it may be a tough call as Cowell suggests the bar for the acts has never been higher.

“I want the show to be better,” he told WCNC Charlotte in June. “I really hope that we find someone who’s going to do really well after the show. And I want people, ideally, to talk about what they’ve seen on the show. Otherwise, it would be boring. And if the acts didn’t get better, then there would be no point in making the show, honestly.”

Chris Haston/NBC

Terry Crews will host the first round of the season 21 Live Show quarterfinals Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. on NBC. Fans will then learn the results the next day and watch the quarterfinals continue to play out through Sept. 8.

But have you ever wondered what it’s really like to go on America’s Got Talent? For secrets from the audition process to the prize money, keep reading.

Trae Patton/NBC

Do America’s Got Talent Contestants Audition for the First Time in Front of the Judges?No. In fact, contestants have a long road before they audition in front of the judges, who include Howie Mandel, Mel B, Sofía Vergara and Simon Cowell for season 21.”We have open call auditions virtually to reach as many people as possible,” Theresa Graham, NBCUniversal’s director of unscripted formats, told NBC Insider in 2022. “Anybody can sign up and have an audition with our casting team and producers. If they think that somebody is worth considering, they put them through to our executive producers. After they say yes, then the act will go to audition in front of the judges. We all see everything play out from there.”Hopefuls can try out through either an in-person or virtual open call or through a video audition.

Trae Patton/NBC

How Long Do Contestants Have to Audition for America’s Got Talent?Set your timers! Because according to the audition guidelines, individuals will have up to 90 seconds to show off their skills during virtual open calls. However, the regulations note “producers reserve the right to modify audition times.”Similarly, the guidelines note that those who send through a video audition should keep their clip to under two minutes.

Eric Liebowitz/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Is There Anything America’s Got Talent Contestants Can’t Bring to the Open Call Auditions?Yes, quite a few items, actually.While many acts incorporate open flames, for instance, the rules state that “fire and special rigging are not allowed at open call auditions.” Similarly, competitors will need to fill out an Animal Information Form and bring the animal’s vaccination record if their act incorporates an animal. Other prohibited items, per the rules, include “coolers (unless for medical reasons), fireworks, weapons, sharp tools, mace/pepper spray, illicit drugs, alcohol, [or] props requiring fire or pyrotechnics.”

Trae Patton/NBC

Does America’s Got Talent Cover Contestants’ Expenses to Audition in Front of the Judges?Once contestants make it through the initial rounds, they must try out in front of the judges. However, they don’t have to worry about paying the full bill to get there.According to America’s Got Talent‘s audition guidelines, contestants will be provided with airfare if they have to travel far for the judges audition round, or they’ll be given a bus ticket, train ticket or gas reimbursement for driving if they live fairly close to the audition site. They are also provided with hotel accommodations as well as a daily allowance for food or other expenses.

NBCUniversal

Do America’s Got Talent Contestants Get Their Hair and Makeup Done?According to America’s Got Talent audition guidelines, the show does not provide hair and makeup support for contestants during the judges audition round; however, competitors are expected to come “camera ready.” Although, the series does provide these services for contestants for future rounds.In fact, AGT‘s makeup artist Tonia Green noted on Instagram the hair and makeup team worked with “hundreds of contestants” during season 19.

Trae Patton/NBC

Do America’s Got Talent Contestants Rehearse Their Acts Before the Show?Yes. Contestants have the opportunity to run through their acts during the rehearsals. However, this isn’t the only part of the show they go over.”I don’t know if you guys know this, but all the contestants have to do a results rehearsal,” Sofie Dossi, who competed on three seasons of America’s Got Talent, shared in a 2024 YouTube video. “It’s so everyone knows where to go if you’re booted off or if you make it through and for the staff to figure out lighting and camera angles.”

Trae Patton/NBC

Do the Winners of America’s Got Talent Get Their Money Right Away?The grand prize for winning America’s Got Talent is $1 million. But does the champion get the full amount right away?”The prize, which totals $1,000,000 is payable in a financial annuity over forty years,” a statement at the end of the show’s credits read, “or the contestants may choose to receive the present value of such annuity.”If you take $1,000,000 and you divide it by 40, that comes out to $25,000 per year before taxes for those who choose to receive the payment over time.

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