The confetti. The tears. The hugs. Admit it: you just can’t get enough of those emotional Golden Buzzer moments on “America’s Got Talent” … and neither can we. This twist was first introduced on the U.S. version of the worldwide talent competition in Season 10, and it’s been an integral part of NBC’s reality TV show ever since.
Throughout the auditions, the four “AGT” judges (and the host as of Season 11) get to press the Golden Buzzer for an act that moves them emotionally, which sends the performer straight through to the live shows. During the now-defunct Judge Cuts round, guest panelists were allowed to push the button as well for their favorites. At the start of Season 18, Simon Cowell announced that there’d be an audience-voted buzzer for an act that wows the crowd. In Season 19, a new twist allowed the judges to each press their buttons twice during the auditions, and they also slammed the buzzers during the live shows for the first time ever.
Want a refresher on all of the “America’s Got Talent” Golden Buzzers through the years? We’ve got you covered — just scroll through our photo gallery below.
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Drew Lynch
Season 10 Auditions
Pushed by: Howie Mandel
Talent: Comedian
Placement: Runner-up
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Freckled Sky
Season 10 Auditions
Pushed by: Howard Stern
Talent: Video projection dance duo
Placement: Quarter-finalist
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Sharon Irving
Season 10 Auditions
Pushed by: Mel B
Talent: Gospel singer
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Arielle Baril
Season 10 Auditions
Pushed by: Heidi Klum
Talent: Opera singer
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Piff The Magic Dragon
Season 10 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Neil Patrick Harris
Talent: Comic magician
Placement: Finalist
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The Craig Lewis Band
Season 10 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Michael Buble
Talent: Singing duet
Placement: Grand-finalist
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Paul Zerdin
Season 10 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Marlon Wayans
Talent: Ventriloquist
Placement: Winner
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Siro-A
Season 10 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Piers Morgan
Talent: Video-mapping dance group
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Laura Bretan
Season 11 Auditions
Pushed by: Mel B
Talent: Opera singer
Placement: Finalist
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Grace VanderWaal
Season 11 Auditions
Pushed by: Howie Mandel
Talent: Singer-ukuleleist
Placement: Winner
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Sal Valentinetti
Season 11 Auditions
Pushed by: Heidi Klum
Talent: Jazz singer
Placement: Grand-finalist
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Calysta Bevier
Season 11 Auditions
Pushed by: Simon Cowell
Talent: Singer
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Dorothy Williams
Season 11 Auditions
Pushed by: Nick Cannon
Talent: Burlesque dancer
Placement: Quarter-finalist
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Jon Dorenbos
Season 11 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Ne-Yo
Talent: Magician
Placement: 3rd place
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Sofie Dossi
Season 11 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Reba McEntire
Talent: Aerialist contortionist
Placement: Finalist
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Malevo
Season 11 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: George Lopez
Talent: Malambo dance group
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Jayna Brown
Season 11 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Louis Tomlinson
Talent: Singer
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Darci Lynne Farmer
Season 12 Auditions
Pushed by: Mel B
Talent: Singing ventriloquist
Placement: Winner
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Mandy Harvey
Season 12 Auditions
Pushed by: Simon Cowell
Talent: Singer-ukulelist
Placement: Grand-finalist
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Christian Guardino
Season 12 Auditions
Pushed by: Howie Mandel
Talent: Singer
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Light Balance
Season 12 Auditions
Pushed by: Tyra Banks
Talent: Glow-light dance troupe
Placement: 3rd place
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Angelina Green
Season 12 Auditions
Pushed by: Heidi Klum
Talent: Singer
Placement: Quarter-finalist
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Angelica Hale
Season 12 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Chris Hardwick
Talent: Singer
Placement: Runner-up
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Chase Goehring
Season 12 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: DJ Khaled
Talent: Singer-guitarist
Placement: Finalist
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Celine Tam
Season 12 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Laverne Cox
Talent: Singer
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Johnny Manuel
Season 12 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Seal
Talent: Singer
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Zurcaroh
Season 13 Auditions
Pushed by: Tyra Banks
Talent: Acrobatic group
Placement: Runner-up
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Michael Ketterer
Season 13 Auditions
Pushed by: Simon Cowell
Talent: Singer
Placement: Grand-finalist
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Courtney Hadwin
Season 13 Auditions
Pushed by: Howie Mandel
Talent: Singer
Placement: Finalist
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Amanda Mena
Season 13 Auditions
Pushed by: Mel B
Talent: Singer
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Makayla Phillips
Season 13 Auditions
Pushed by: Heidi Klum
Talent: Singer
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Voices of Hope
Season 13 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Ken Jeong
Talent: Children’s choir
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Angel City Chorale
Season 13 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Olivia Munn
Talent: Choir
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Quin and Misha
Season 13 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Martina McBride
Talent: Ballroom dancers
Placement: Quarter-finalist
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Flau’jae
Season 13 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Chris Hardwick
Talent: Rapper
Placement: Quarter-finalist
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Kodi Lee
Season 14 Auditions
Pushed by: Gabrielle Union
Talent: Singer-pianist
Placement: Winner
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Joseph Allen
Season 14 Auditions
Pushed by: Howie Mandel
Talent: Singer-rapper
Placement: Quarter-finalist
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Tyler Butler-Figueroa
Season 14 Auditions
Pushed by: Simon Cowell
Talent: Violinist
Placement: Finalist
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Detroit Youth Choir
Season 14 Auditions
Pushed by: Terry Crews
Talent: Choir
Placement: Runner-up
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Luke Islam
Season 14 Auditions
Pushed by: Julianne Hough
Talent: Singer
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Sophie Pecora
Season 14 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Brad Paisley
Talent: Singer-guitarist
Placement: Quarter-finalist
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V.Unbeatable
Season 14 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Dwyane Wade
Talent: Acrobatic dance group
Placement: Grand-finalist
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Light Balance Kids
Season 14 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Ellie Kemper
Talent: Light-up dance group
Placement: Finalist
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Emanne Beasha
Season 14 Judge Cuts
Pushed by: Jay Leno
Talent: Opera singer
Placement: Finalist
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Voices of Our City Choir
Season 15 Auditions
Pushed by: Terry Crews
Talent: Choir
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Roberta Battaglia
Season 15 Auditions
Pushed by: Sofia Vergara
Talent: Singer
Placement: Grand-finalist
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Cristina Rae
Season 15 Auditions
Pushed by: Heidi Klum
Talent: Singer
Placement: 3rd Place
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WAFFLE Crew
Season 15 Auditions
Pushed by: Simon Cowell
Talent: Dancers
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Brandon Leake
Season 15 Auditions
Pushed by: Howie Mandel
Talent: Spoken word artist
Placement: Winner
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Northwell Nurse Choir
Season 16 Auditions
Pushed by: Howie Mandel
Talent: Choir
Placement: Finalist
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Nightbirde
Season 16 Auditions
Pushed by: Simon Cowell
Talent: Singer
Placement: Withdrew due to cancer diagnosis
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World Taekwondo Demonstration Team
Season 16 Auditions
Pushed by: Terry Crews
Talent: Acrobatic martial arts
Placement: Finalist
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Jimmie Herrod
Season 16 Auditions
Pushed by: Sofia Vergara
Talent: Singer
Placement: Finalist
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Lea Kyle
Season 16 Auditions
Pushed by: Heidi Klum
Talent: Quick Change Artist
Placement: 5th place
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Victory Brinker
Season 16 Auditions
Pushed by: Simon, Sofia, Heidi, Howie, Terry
Talent: Singer
Placement: Finalist
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Avery Dixon
Season 17 Auditions
Pushed by: Terry Crews
Talent: Saxophonist
Placement: Finalist
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Maddie
Season 17 Auditions
Pushed by: Howie Mandel
Talent: Singer
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Sara James
Season 17 Auditions
Pushed by: Simon Cowell
Talent: Singer
Placement: Finalist
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Mayyas
Season 17 Auditions
Pushed by: Sofia Vergara
Talent: Dance Group
Placement: Winners
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Lily Meola
Season 17 Auditions
Pushed by: Heidi Klum
Talent: Singer
Placement: Semi-finalist
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Chapel Hart
Season 17 Auditions
Pushed by: Simon, Sofia, Heidi, Howie, Terry
Talent: Country Singing Trio
Placement: 5th Place
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Mzansi Youth Choir
Season 18 Auditions
Pushed by: Audience
Talent: Chorale Group
Placement: Finalist
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Putri Ariani
Season 18 Auditions
Pushed by: Simon Cowell
Talent: Singer/Pianist
Placement: 4th Place
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Chioma & The Atlanta Drum Academy
Season 18 Auditions
Pushed by: Terry Crews
Talent: Drummers
Placement: Quarter-Finalist
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Murmuration
Season 18 Auditions
Pushed by: Howie Mandel
Talent: Dance Group
Placement: 3rd Place
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Lavender Darcangelo
Season 18 Auditions
Pushed by: Heidi Klum
Talent: Singer
Placement: Finalist
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Gabriel Henrique
Season 18 Auditions
Pushed by: Sofia Vergara
Talent: Singer
Placement: Quarter-Finalist
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Chibi Unity
Season 18 Auditions
Pushed by: Simon, Sofia, Heidi, Howie, Terry
Talent: Dance Group
Placement: Finalist
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Learnmore Jonasi
Season 19 Auditions
Pushed by: Terry Crews
Talent: Comedian
Placement: Grand-Finalist
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Richard Goodall
Season 19 Auditions
Pushed by: Heidi Klum
Talent: Singer
Placement: Winner
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Liv Warfield
Season 19 Auditions
Pushed by: Simon Cowell
Talent: Singer
Placement: Quarter-Finalist
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Sky Elements
Season 19 Auditions
Pushed by: Simon Cowell
Talent: Drone Group
Placement: 3rd Place
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Legion
Season 19 Auditions
Pushed by: Sofia Vergara
Talent: Dance Crew
Placement: Quarter-Finalist
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Brent Street
Season 19 Auditions
Pushed by: Howie Mandel
Talent: Dance Crew
Placement: Finalist
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Pranysqa Mishra
Season 19 Auditions
Pushed by: Heidi Klum
Talent: Singer
Placement: Semi-Finalist
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Reid Wilson
Season 19 Auditions
Pushed by: Howie Mandel
Talent: Singer
Placement: Semi-Finalist
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Schumacher
Season 19 Auditions
Pushed by: Sofia Vergara
Talent: Animal Mask Illusion Act
Placement: Quarter-Finalist
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Hakuna Matata Acrobatic
Season 19 Live Shows
Pushed by: Sofia Vergara
Talent: Acrobatic Group
Placement: Finalist
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AIRFOOTWORKS
Season 19 Live Shows
Pushed by: Howie Mandel
Talent: Air-Dance Group
Placement: Finalist
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Dee Dee Simon
Season 19 Live Shows
Pushed by: Heidi Klum
Talent: Singer
Placement: Finalist
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Sebastian and Sonia
Season 19 Live Shows
Pushed by: Simon Cowell
Talent: Aerialist Duo
Placement: Finalist