America’s Got Talent premieres May 27 on NBC. Before the competitors perform in front of judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Mel B and Sofía Vergara, learn more about what it’s like to be on the show.
America’s Got Talent fans are buzzing with excitement.
Why? Because season 20 premieres on NBC May 27 at 8 p.m. EST.
Host Terry Crews will introduce a new group of competitors, who will perform a range of acts and try to impress judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Mel B and Sofía Vergara—maybe even enough to have them slam the coveted Golden Buzzer.
“Just when you think there’s no more talent left, there is—a plethora of it,” the Spice Girls star told Today May 14. “It keeps on going and going.”
Last year, Richard Goodall—who dubbed himself “the singing janitor”—won the competition (and the hearts of viewers) with his vocals. Now, the judges are ready to find their next champion.
“Every year, we have a little panic attack at the beginning. Is it going to be good?” Sofía added to the outlet. “You never know. It was so good the year before. But people kept getting better. And I think people—because it’s the 20th anniversary—they went and stepped it up.”
But did you ever wonder what it’s like to appear on America’s Got Talent? Well, Simon has suggested viewers will get more insight this season.
“We made a decision about a year ago that we have to show more of the process this year, particularly because it was actually the 20th anniversary,” he told Collider in an interview shared May 27. “So we made a decision that we were gonna really go behind the scenes and show the audience at home what it’s like to be a contestant on this show. What’s it like when something goes wrong or you lose your nerve or the act you’re following has had a golden buzzer just before you, and what does it feel like?”
As fans wait for the show to premiere, keep reading to learn more about America’s Got Talent, including how much time contestants have to audition, whether the show covers their travel expenses and how the winner is paid the $1 million grand prize.
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 20.
“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.
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 the open calls. However, the regulations note “producers reserve the right to modify audition times.”
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.”
Does America’s Got Talent Cover Contestants’ Expenses to Audition in Front of the Judges?
Once contestant 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.
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.
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.”
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.
(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family).
Source: www.eonline.com