Nene Royal takes the Season 21 crown
Nene Royal has won America's Got Talent Season 21, claiming the $1 million prize. The finale aired on Wednesday, September 23 on NBC. Ten acts reached the final and performed one last time to show why they deserved the season's title. The final ranking placed Veronika Goroshkova fifth, Royal Lasers fourth, Hundred Fingers third, Geno Ploeger second, and Nene Royal first.[S1]
The Top 5 acts were Royal Lasers, Hundred Fingers, Veronika Goroshkova, Nene Royal, and Geno Ploeger. Five other acts were cut before the Top 5: Come Here, Olivia Befus, Lai Noelle, Unitree, and Acro Canine Crew. The full group of ten finalists also included Geno Ploeger, Hundred Fingers, Lai Noelle, Nene Royal, Olivia Befus, Royal Lasers, Unitree, and Veronika Goroshkova, alongside Acro Canine Crew and Come Here.[S1]
Judges, guest stars, and the finale stage
Simon Cowell did not attend the final. Guest judge KSI sat in for him alongside the mainstay judges Sofia Vergara, Mel B, and Howie Mandel. The finale also featured guest stars Linkin Park, Trisha Paytas, Josh Groban, Lele Pons, Taylen Biggs, Rei Ami, Jessica Sanchez, Mat Franco, Steve Aoki, Chloe Flower, and Bruce Buffer.[S1]
The finale results episode, numbered 2121, included appearances by Terry Crews, Steve Aoki, Royal Lasers, Unitree, Lele Pons, Acro Canine Crew, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Mat Franco, Geno Ploeger, Eric Nam, Josh Groban, Veronika Goroshkova, Nene Royal, and Linkin Park members Mike Shinoda, Emily Armstrong, Colin Brittain, Dave Farrell, and Joe Hahn. The finale episode, numbered 2120, featured Hundred Fingers.[S1]
