Week 2 of the live shows on “America’s Got Talent” 2026 is tonight on NBC. The second set of 11 acts will be performing for the “AGT” judges (minus Simon Cowell) — Howie Mandel, Mel B, and Sofia Vergara — and for America’s votes. Watch the Quarterfinals Week 2 performances with us tonight with our “America’s Got Talent” Season 21 live recap below.
Voting Time Again, America
We are back with another week of live performances, as the Quarterfinals on “America’s Got Talent” Season 21 continue tonight. America will get another chance to vote for their favorite acts from the Top 44. Fans of the show can vote three different ways for the acts: online, via the mobile app, and via TikTok, which is new for Season 21.
Voting for “America’s Got Talent” 2026 starts when the live shows begin on Tuesdays, which is at 8 p.m. ET. Voting will close at 7 a.m. ET on Wednesday mornings. Terry Crews will then share the results on Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. ET.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD: THIS LIVE RECAP WILL BE UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE EPISODE, SO DO NOT KEEP READING IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ SPOILERS.
August 25 Live Recap – Quarterfinals Week 2
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Quarterfinals Week 2 Begins
We are back with another week of performances. We have 11 new acts taking the stage tonight. Terry Crews is here. He introduces the judges, with Simon, of course, missing. It looks like no one will replace him, so just three judges for now. For the Golden Buzzer tonight, Mel B will be in control!
LaRussell
He is a rapper who’s been trying it for years. He built a backyard concert venue for the kids. It’s all about bringing the community together. LaRussell said this is a golden opportunity to change their lives. I love the energy of this one. It’s all about having fun and getting the audience involved. They put on quite a show.
Judges’ Feedback: Mel B said she loves what they stand for. She could feel the energy bouncing off the stage, but it did feel chaotic. A lot going on up there. Sofia said she loves it’s all about his charisma and energy and what he’s done for his community. She loved it. Howie said it was good; it was entertaining. I don’t know if it’s at the level of Season 21.
Veronika Goroshkova
She was one of Sofia’s Golden Buzzers from the auditions. Veronika left Ukraine to follow this dream. She was very close to her mother, so she misses her. Veronika wants to go bigger for this performance. It’s cool how she is right up close with the judges during this performance. The way she does all these tricks is amazing, and with no safety equipment. She adds a bigger pole. She climbed to the top of it, put on a blindfold, and then just slipped down to the bottom without seeing it.
Judges’ Feedback: Sofia said there is no one like her. She makes it seem so effortless and easy. Howie said you’re amazing. We’ve seen aerialists a lot, but not as graceful as you. Mel B said graceful, brilliant, and without any safety net. That was phenomenal.
Bety on ‘America’s Got Talent’
When she was 10, she told her mother she wanted to celebrate her 18th birthday in America. Bety turned 18 this week, so it worked. She has such a deep, raspy voice when singing. It always shocks me. I like the tone of her voice, but it seemed like the production of the song drowned her out on this one.
Judges’ Feedback: Mel B said she is a massive fan of hers, and her voice is like velvet. She feels she played it a little safe tonight. Sofia said she looks like a big star on that stage already. She has so much soul when she is singing. Howie said she is one of the best singers they have this season. That song doesn’t have a ton of range, but she has a ton of range.
Come Here
They arrived at “America’s Got Talent” 2026 without their choreographer. She had another gig in Korea, so 36 hours before show time, she was gone. She arrived with 12 hours to prepare. They are trying new things, so the pressure is on. I love them! A lack of practice? Couldn’t tell! They are in sync, and they are so quick with their movements. This is so fun to watch.
Judges’ Feedback: Howie said what a unique blend of contemporary and ballet. Very original choreography. Sofia said it was amazing; it was perfection. They are a unit. It’s mesmerizing. Mel B said that was absolutely incredible. They did pull it off. The choreographer did an amazing job.
Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm
They are brothers from Oahu, Hawaii. They are about a year apart and have always been close. The brothers grew up watching “AGT” and were inspired by Grace VanderWaal. They definitely are an act that Simon would love to work with, and he’s not here! I think they are decent singers, but I have not been blown away by them. I was shocked when Simon moved them on from the Judges’ Callbacks, but here we are. Nothing special about this one, but they did get an “X” from Mel B. The only thing is, I think the girls will love them.
Judges’ Feedback: Howie said they can sing and harmonize. It takes experience and time. They are going to be great, and they are going to do well. It’s just all about experience, and the nerves are showing. Mel B said they need a lot more time and a lot more experience. Go away, practice, and come back with more determination. Sofia said they are adorable, but they need more time getting ready. Keep working and follow your dream.
Geno Ploeger
His grandpa got him into magic. Then seeing Mat Franco win “AGT” sparked that fire even more. He then got a chance to intern for Mat two years ago. Howie told him to come back and be himself. For this act, he brings some objects from home, which he hands to the judges. He does some tricks with Sofia’s ring, then has Mel B pick a card, and she puts a sticker on it. The judges’ names end up being on each object they picked. Then Sofia’s ring ends up on his grandpa’s finger in the audience!
Judges’ Feedback: Mel B said she doesn’t even have words. Sofia said it was original. It feels like him. This was amazing, and he has to keep doing it. Howie said you did you.
Patrox on ‘America’s Got Talent’
He’s from Germany and shocked everyone when he said he wanted to be a dancer. For his audition, he did a weird routine, but then played it back in reverse, so it was cool to see. Where does he go from there? He doesn’t go anywhere. He does some dances, then replays it backwards. It’s not that exciting.
Judges’ Feedback: It’s so clever what he does. She doesn’t understand it, but it’s fun. Mel B said she likes that he’s so excited. She doesn’t get it. Howie said what he does is incredibly unique and applauds him for taking the whole stage and making it into a trick.
Nene Royal
She is 16 years old and from Thailand. Nene is so shy, but then the music starts, and she shreds the guitar and sings out of her mind. Rage comes out! I think this will be Mel B’s Golden Buzzer tonight! It’s just so crazy how she can go from this sweet and innocent girl to a rage rocker. It’s so intense, but she’s so good.
Judges’ Feedback: Howie said NBC, give her the $1 million right now. Sofia said she could really win this competition. Everyone asks about her. Mel B said you are the quietest, most humble, sweetest young lady. Then, you come out on this stage, and it’s a different vibe. That kind of music is not my vibe, but the vocals and guitar are on vibe. How could she not hit the Golden Buzzer? I knew it, as she gets the Golden Buzzer and is headed to the finals!
Mackenzie Sol
He auditioned for Simon at 4 years old for “The X Factor.” He was clearly too young, but here he is after getting the Golden Buzzer from Mel B during the auditions. He said he’s gotten a ton of no’s over the years, so that moment with Mel B was special. This was a different one. There were moments where he sounded so good and was feeling the emotion of the song. He hit some good notes along the way, but then other times he sounded off. I think he was getting emotional during parts.
Judges’ Feedback: Mel B said that was so good. That was everything. Sofia said the girls are going to go crazy for him. So handsome and such a beautiful voice. Howie said he hopes people vote for him. You are so good. If anything is wrong, it’s that he had to go after Nene, but he rose to the occasion.
Brad & Tracy
Brad has been doing these stunts at home for years. They should be retired, but here we are. He just does some crazy things. Brad starts by blindfolding himself, putting an apple in his mouth, and then he cuts the apple with a saw. He then puts a huge saw and a huge corkscrew down his throat. This is so awkward and so long! Mel B hit the “X” for them.
Judges’ Feedback: Howie said you can’t put into words what we just saw. He said it’s so bad, it’s amazing. Sofia said she wonders what their neighbors think of them. Mel B said she saw bits and pieces of it. This is a genre, and she finds it more comedic. She doesn’t mind watching; she doesn’t get it.
Butter & Grit
I loved their audition, but then was blown away during their Judges’ Callbacks performance. Their Judges’ Callbacks song charted, and they got a DM from Cracker Barrel, doing a commercial with them on social media. I do think they can sing well. I feel this song missed the connection they had during that Judges’ Callbacks performance.
Judges’ Feedback: Mel B said their vocals got more than amazing. She loves their friendship and loves their vibe. Sofia said their songs feel like they’re already hits. She loves their friendship and relationship. Howie said there is nothing more American than that song and how they sing it.
The performances are done for tonight. Who was your favorite tonight on “America’s Got Talent” 2026?
Watch with us tonight during our results show LIVE RECAP right here!
