Since its stateside debut during Season 9 of America’s Got Talent, the Golden Buzzer — a mechanism that instantly sends an Act straight to the Live Shows — has been an emotional and thrilling part of the Audition process.
At any moment, a Judge can send a worthy performer past their peers, making their dream come true in a flurry of confetti and applause. Some Acts jump for joy while others break down in tears. Occasionally, they’re simply too overwhelmed to react. We get it!
Over the years, dozens of Acts have received the Golden Buzzer from the Judges, various Guest Judges, the Host, and the occasional Group Buzzer, and finding the most emotional Golden Buzzer moments was no easy feat. But these are the ones that made us truly catch our breath with excitement. Take a look at the most emotional Golden Buzzer moments (in chronological order) from America’s Got Talent, and keep your tissues ready:
AGT’s most emotional Golden Buzzers
Jayna Brown, Season 11
Act: Singer
Buzzer from: Louis Tomlinson
Young Jayna’s rendition of “Rise Up” by Andra Day was delightful, and her reaction to the moment Tomlinson pressed the button was adorable, but it was her mother collapsing into tears in the aisles that was truly special.
Darci Lynne, Season 12
Act: Ventriloquism, singing
Buzzer from: Mel B
Darci, who went on to win her season, was all smiles when she auditioned, full of nerves but mostly excitement — that is until she got a Golden Buzzer, and it all just got so overwhelming.
Christian Guardino, Season 12
Act: Singer
Buzzer from: Howie Mandel
Teenage crooner Christian utterly transformed from shy and awkward, to confident and smooth when he sang, so it was only natural that Mandel transform his life by making his “wish come true” with a Golden Buzzer, triggering a tears of joy.
Detroit Youth Choir, Season 14
Act: Choir, rap
Buzzer from: Terry Crews
It wasn’t the kids or the Judges who were the most excited by the rapturous applause this Act received — it was Host Terry Crews, who saw himself in the young men and women on stage and simply had to give them their due!
Kodi Lee, Season 14
Act: Singer, pianist
Buzzer from: Gabrielle Union
Lee never let being blind or autistic stop him from pursuing his musical dreams, but it was his mother’s dedication that especially moved Judge Gabrielle Union, a new mother herself that season. Knowing how much it meant to give your child the best opportunities, she pressed the Golden Buzzer, and Lee went on to win Season 14.
Nightbirde, Season 16
Act: Singer-songwriter
Buzzer from: Simon Cowell
Performing an original song, “It’s OK,” singer Jane “Nightbirde” Marczewski moved the audience with her sweet singing voice and amazing attitude in the face of a difficult cancer journey, moving Judge Simon Cowell to press the Golden Buzzer. Sadly, she had to leave the competition before Lives due to the effects of her treatment, and passed away in 2022.
Avery Dixon, Season 17
Act: Saxophone
Buzzer from: Terry Crews
Dixon’s description of being bullied at school was heart-wrenching enough that Judge Heidi Klum actually whispered “please be good” before he began to play his saxophone, and her hope was more than rewarded. He was great!
Lavender Darcangelo, Season 18
Act: Singer
Buzzer from: Heidi Klum
A blind and autistic singer and disability advocate, Lavender immediately brought joy a to everyone who heard her voice, her story and her message. But even the strongest people go to pieces when they get that golden moment!
Putri Ariani, Season 18
Act: Singer-songwriter, piano
Buzzer from: Simon Cowell
Cowell loved blind musician Putri’s voice so much, he asked her to sing a second song just for the pleasure of hearing her. Yes, you read that right.
Richard Goodall, Season 19
Act: Singer
Buzzer from: Heidi Klum
It’s never too late, as proven by a mild-mannered school janitor in his 60s who blew the roof off the AGT auditorium with “Don’t Stop Believing” and went on to win the entire competition. Of everyone in the room who was surprised by his talent, perhaps Goodall was the most shocked of all, and he was brought to tears.
Jessica Sanchez, Season 20
Act: Singer
Buzzer from: Sofía Vergara
After competing on the very first season of AGT as a kid, Sanchez rediscovered her love of singing as an adult and came back to AGT while pregnant with her first child, a true full-circle moment, especially as she ended up winning the entire thing!
