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NBC Insider America's Got Talent

What Is the Golden Buzzer on AGT?

It's the show's highest honor! 

By Jessica White
Richard Goodall Receives the GOLDEN BUZZER for "Don't Stop Believin'" | Auditions | AGT 2024 | NBC

America's Got Talent has given audiences dozens—if not hundreds—of thrilling moments, but the AGT Golden Buzzer moments take the competition to the next level. 

How to Watch

Watch America’s Got Talent on NBC and Peacock

From the golden confetti and cheering applause to the tear-jerking response from the talented Acts, Golden Buzzer Auditions are always a special treat. But what is the meaning of the AGT Golden Buzzer? Introduced in Season 10, the AGT Golden Buzzer is hit by an impressed AGT Judge, allowing an Act to progress directly to the Live Shows. If a Judge hits their Golden Buzzer, the Act moves forward despite whatever red buzzers are pressed. There is a lot of power in the Golden Buzzer, and it's safe to say that every AGT Act's dream is getting one. 

Golden Buzzers are not to be taken lightly: They mark some of the show's most captivating performances. Read on to learn the meaning of the AGT Golden Buzzer.

What happens when you get the Golden Buzzer?

Talented AGT Acts that earn a Golden Buzzer have the honor of progressing straight to the AGT Live Shows, which can be a huge game-changer. Typically, an Act will need to earn at least three "Yes" votes from the Judges to move forward and escape elimination. The Golden Buzzer is essentially a shiny gold exception to the typical AGT Audition process

How many times can you press the Golden Buzzer?

The AGT Judges and Host can press their Golden Buzzer once during the Auditions phase of the competition, so it can get pretty competitive. The only exception is the Group Golden Buzzer, introduced in Season 16. The Group Golden Buzzer is pressed once per season by all the Judges and Host for an Act they feel is particularly sensational. That means only six Golden Buzzers happen each season: One for each Judge, one for the Host, and the Group Golden Buzzer. 

Has Simon Cowell ever hit the Golden Buzzer?

Of course he has! He's a Judge!

Cowell has hit his Golden Buzzer for Calysta Bevier, Mandy Harvey, Michael Ketterer, Kechi, Tyler Butler-Figueroa, WAFFLE Dance Crew, Jane "Nightbirde" Marczewski, and Sara James.

Which Acts on AGT have received the Golden Buzzer?

Drew Lynch

Season 10 Auditions

Freckled Sky

Season 10 Auditions

Sharon Irving

Season 10 Auditions

Arielle Baril

Season 10 Auditions

Piff the Magic Dragon and Mr. Piffles' Surprise Spellbinding Performance | NBC's AGT 2022

Piff The Magic Dragon

Season 10 Judge Cuts

The Craig Lewis Band

Season 10 Judge Cuts

Paul Zerdin

Season 10 Judge Cuts

Siro-A

Season 10 Judge Cuts

Laura Bretan

Season 11 Auditions

Grace VanderWaal

Season 11 Auditions

Sal Valentinetti

Season 11 Auditions

Calysta Bevier

Season 11 Auditions

Dorothy Williams

Season 11 Auditions

Jon Dorenbos

Season 11 Judge Cuts

Sofie Dossi

Season 11 Judge Cuts

Malevo

Season 11 Judge Cuts

Jayna Brown

Season 11 Judge Cuts

Darci Lynne | Simon Cowell's Favorite Golden Buzzer Moments | NBC's AGT

Darci Lynne Farmer

Season 12 Auditions

Mandy Harvey

Season 12 Auditions

Christian Guardino

Season 12 Auditions

Light Balance

Season 12 Auditions

Angelina Green

Season 12 Auditions

Angelica Hale

Season 12 Judge Cuts

Chase Goehring

Season 12 Judge Cuts

Celine Tam

Season 12 Judge Cuts

Johnny Manuel

Season 12 Judge Cuts

Zurcaroh

Season 13 Auditions

Michael Ketterer

Season 13 Auditions

Courtney Hadwin

Season 13 Auditions

Amanda Mena

Season 13 Auditions

Makayla Phillips

Season 13 Auditions

Voices of Hope

Season 13 Judge Cuts

Angel City Chorale

Season 13 Judge Cuts

Quin and Misha

Season 13 Judge Cuts

Flau’jae

Season 13 Judge Cuts

Kodi Lee | Simon Cowell's Favorite Golden Buzzer Moments | NBC's AGT

Kodi Lee

Season 14 Auditions

Joseph Allen

Season 14 Auditions

Tyler Butler-Figueroa

Season 14 Auditions

Detroit Youth Choir

Season 14 Auditions

Luke Islam

Season 14 Auditions

Sophie Pecora

Season 14 Judge Cuts

V.Unbeatable

Season 14 Judge Cuts

Light Balance Kids

Season 14 Judge Cuts

Emanne Beasha

Season 14 Judge Cuts

Voices of Our City Choir

Season 15 Auditions

Roberta Battaglia

Season 15 Auditions

Cristina Rae

Season 15 Auditions

WAFFLE Crew

Season 15 Auditions

Brandon Leake

Season 15 Auditions

Northwell Nurse Choir

Season 16 Auditions

Nightbirde

Season 16 Auditions

World Taekwondo Demonstration Team SURPRISES the Judges - America's Got Talent 2021

World Taekwondo Demonstration Team

Season 16 Auditions

Jimmie Herrod

Season 16 Auditions

Lea Kyle

Season 16 Auditions

Victory Brinker

Season 16 Group Golden Buzzer

Avery Dixon

Season 17 Auditions

Maddie

Season 17 Auditions

Sara James

Season 17 Auditions

Mayyas Surprises The Crowd With Amazing Dance | NBC's AGT 2022

Mayyas

Season 17 Auditions

Lily Meola

Season 17 Auditions

Chapel Hart

Season 17 Group Golden Buzzer

Watch AGT: All-Stars Mondays at 8/7c on NBC and the next day on Peacock