‘AMERICA’S GOT TALENT: THE CHAMPIONS’ ANNOUNCES SECOND GROUP OF ALL-STAR ACTS

‘AMERICA’S GOT TALENT: THE CHAMPIONS’ ANNOUNCES SECOND GROUP OF ALL-STAR ACTS

New Winter Edition of “America’s Got Talent” Premieres with Judges Simon Cowell, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel and New Host Terry Crews

Most Talented Acts From “AGT” and “Got Talent” Competitions Around the Globe Compete for the Ultimate Title of World Champion Beginning Monday, Jan. 7 on NBC

Previously Announced Superstar Acts Include Susan Boyle, Darci Lynne Farmer, Shin Lim, Paul Potts, Piff the Magic Dragon and More

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – Nov. 30, 2018 – NBC has announced the second group of superstar acts who will compete on the all-new winter edition of TV’s #1 alternative series, “America’s Got Talent: The Champions,” premiering Monday, Jan. 7 from 8-10 p.m. ET/PT.

The series, from NBC, Fremantle and Syco Entertainment, will feature the star-studded judges panel from “America’s Got Talent” — executive producer Simon Cowell, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel – as well as new host Terry Crews, star of NBC’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”

“America’s Got Talent: The Champions” will bring together the world’s most talented, memorable and all-around fan-favorite acts from past seasons of “AGT” and around the globe from the other “Got Talent” franchises that span 194 territories. These all-star acts, which include former winners and finalists, will once again take the stage to compete in a massive global competition with the hopes of claiming the ultimate title of World Champion.

Global champions include opera rock singer Cristina Ramos (“Spain’s Got Talent” 2016 winner); 11-year-old singer Angelica Hale (“AGT” 2017 finalist); 14-year-old rock singer Courtney Hadwin (“AGT” 2018 finalist); singers Brian Justin Crum (“AGT” 2016 finalist), Bianca Ryan (“AGT” 2006 winner) and Sal Valentinetti (“AGT” 2016 finalist); mentalists The Clairvoyants (“AGT” 2016 finalist) and Colin Cloud (“AGT” 2017 finalist); projection/dance act Kenichi (“AGT” 2013 winner); opera singer Jackie Evancho (“AGT” 2010 finalist); comedians Vicki Barbolak (“AGT” 2018 finalist), Samuel J. Comroe (“AGT” 2018 finalist), Preacher Lawson (“AGT” 2017 finalist), Lost Voice Guy (“Britain’s Got Talent” 2018 winner) and Drew Lynch (“AGT” 2015 finalist); magicians Jon Dorenbos (“AGT” 2016 finalist) and Darcy Oake (“Britain’s Got Talent” 2013 finalist); dog act Ashleigh and Sully (“Britain’s Got Talent” 2012 winner); pianist Tokio Myers (“Britain’s Got Talent” 2017 winner); musical group Sons of Serendip (“AGT” 2014 finalist); escape artist Cosentino (“Australia’s Got Talent” 2011 winner); regurgitator The Professional Regurgitator (“AGT” 2015 finalist); sword swallowing act Alex Magala (“Russia’s Got Talent” 2014 winner); danger act Ryan Stock & AmberLynn (“AGT” 2015 finalist) and juggler Viktor Kee (“AGT” 2016 finalist).

Previously announced acts include singers Susan Boyle (“Britain’s Got Talent” 2009 finalist) and Kechi (“AGT” 2017 finalist); magicians Shin Lim (“AGT” 2018 winner), Piff the Magic Dragon (“AGT” 2015 finalist) and Issy Simpson (“Britain’s Got Talent” 2017 finalist); opera singers Prince Poppycock (“AGT” 2010 finalist) and Paul Potts (“Britain’s Got Talent” 2007 winner); vocal trio The Texas Tenors (“AGT” 2009 finalist); comedians Tom Cotter (“AGT” 2012 finalist) and Taylor Williamson (“AGT” 2013 runner-up); comedic mime Tape Face (“AGT” 2016 finalist); ventriloquists Darci Lynne Farmer (“AGT” 2017 winner) and Paul Zerdin (“AGT” 2015 winner); dance groups Attraction (“Britain’s Got Talent” 2013 winner), Justice Crew (“AGT” 2010 winner) and Light Balance (“AGT” 2017 finalist); dance duo Moonlight Brothers (“Denmark’s Got Talent” 2018 winner); sand artist Kseniya Simonova (“Ukraine’s Got Talent” winner); contortionist Sofie Dossi (“AGT” 2016 finalist); danger roller skaters Billy and Emily England (“AGT” 2017 finalist); Kid DJ, DJ Arch Jnr (“South Africa’s Got Talent” 2015 winner); dog act Sara and Hero (“AGT” 2017 finalist); jump-ropers DDF Crew (“Holland’s Got Talent” 2012 winner and “Belgium’s Got Talent” 2016 semi-finalist); knife-throwing act Deadly Games (“AGT” 2016 finalist); and ladder trick act Uzeyer Novruzov (“AGT” 2010 finalist).

Below are the remaining 25 of 50 acts who will compete on “America’s Got Talent: The Champions”:

Cristina Ramos – Opera Rock Singer – Spain’s Got Talent 2016 – Winner

Cristina Ramos Pérez is a singer from Las Palmas, Spain known for her performance style and one-of-a-kind musical arrangements, simultaneously comprising various genres such as opera, rock, funk, disco, and Boleros. In 2017, she debuted her one-woman show, “Rock Talent,” and released her first single, “Loca,” followed by a second hit single, “We Cannot Know.” 

Kenichi – Projection/Dance – America’s Got Talent 2013 – Winner

Kenichi is a performer who infuses dance with mime, illusion and projection. After winning “America’s Got Talent,” he has performed all over the world and has a full-length one-man show that he performs in Japan.

Lost Voice Guy – Comedian – Britain’s Got Talent 2018 – Winner

Lee Ridley, better known as Lost Voice Guy, won Season 12 of “Britain’s Got Talent.” He is the first comedian to win the series and the first stand-up comedian to use a communication aid in order to speak. Since his 2018 “BGT” victory, Ridley has performed on some of the top comedy stages across the UK and at numerous comedy festivals, including the Edinburgh Fringe. 

Cosentino – Escape Artist – Australia’s Got Talent 2011 – Winner

Cosentino is Australia’s most successful magician, illusionist and escape artist. Cosentino was the runner-up on “Australia’s Got Talent” in 2011, the winner of “Dancing with the Stars” Australia in 2013 and had a starring role in the Jackie Chan film “Bleeding Steel.” He has also written, produced and starred in eight primetime specials, and has won several Merlin Awards including “International Magician of the Year” and “International Escape Artist of the Year”. 

Ashleigh and Sully – Dog Act – Britain’s Got Talent 2012 – Winner

Ashleigh Butler won “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2012 with her dancing dog, Pudsey. After winning “BGT,” Ashleigh and Pudsey performed and met the Queen. Following “BGT,” they had their own kids TV show, traveled the world and Pudsey had his own book and film. Pudsey passed away last year, but Ashleigh will be performing in “Champions” with her canine Sully.

Tokio Myers – Pianist – Britain’s Got Talent 2017 – Winner

Tokio Myers captivated the nation through his appearances on “Britain’s Got Talent,” showcasing his skills as a composer, producer and performance artist. He won the competition, was invited to perform on the “Royal Variety Show” broadcast to over 150 million people and signed a recording contract with Syco Entertainment. Most recently, Myers delivered his sold-out tour of the UK and Ireland receiving rave reviews nationwide. His debut album, “Our Generation,” is available on SYCO/Sony Music Masterworks.

Jackie Evancho – Opera Singer – America’s Got Talent 2010 – Finalist

Jackie Evancho first appeared on “America’s Got Talent” at age 10. Since then, she has released a string of platinum and gold albums, headlined three PBS TV specials and has sang for presidents and other world leaders everywhere. Evancho has also recorded duets with notable artists such as Tony Bennett, Placido Domingo and Barbara Streisand.

Courtney Hadwin – Singer – America's Got Talent 2018 – Finalist

Courtney Hadwin is a 14-year-old girl from England who was the lucky recipient of Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer in Season 13 of “America’s Got Talent.” Since appearing on the show, she has been working on original songs. 

Jon Dorenbos – Magician – America’s Got Talent 2016 – Finalist

A now retired NFL football player due to a life-threatening heart condition, Jon Dorenbos placed third on Season 11 of “America’s Got Talent.” His book, “Life is Magic,” published by Simon & Shuster, is being released early in 2019 with a movie being produced by Academy Award nominee Mike Tollin. In addition to performing his show, “Life is Magic” in theaters around the country, Jon is one of the most sought -after corporate keynote speakers. He has also become a regular on “The Ellen Degeneres Show” as both a magician and co-host. 

Angelica Hale – Singer – America's Got Talent 2017 – Finalist

Angelica Hale is an 11-year old singer from Atlanta who competed in season 12 of “America's Got Talent” in 2017, received Chris Hardwick’s Golden Buzzer and finished as the youngest runner-up in the show’s history. She was a featured performer in the “91st Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade” in 2017 and has appeared on “Little Big Shots,” “Today” and many others. She is currently working on her debut album and has completed shooting her first feature movie, American Reject.

Preacher Lawson – Comedian – America's Got Talent 2017 – Finalist

Preacher Lawson was born in Portland, Ore., but raised in Memphis. He is known for being a finalist on the 12th season of “America’s Got Talent.” He also won the 2015 Funniest Comedian in Florida and the 2016 Seattle International Comedy Competition. In addition to being on “AGT” Lawson has also appeared on “Last Call with Carson Daly” and Comedy Dynamics’ “Coming to the Stage.”

The Clairvoyants – Mentalists – America's Got Talent 2016 – Finalist

Amélie van Tass and Thommy Ten are The Clairvoyants. After winning second place on “America’s Got Talent” in 2016, they went on to headline with “The Illusionists – Turn of the Century”, which was the best-selling magic show in Broadway history. They were also recognized in 2017 as stage magicians of the year by the Academy of Magical Arts and the Magic Castle. 

Sal Valentinetti – Singer – America's Got Talent 2016 – Finalist

Sal Valentinetti is from Long Island, N.Y., and received the Golden Buzzer from Heidi Klum in 2016 and went on to become one of the top five finalists. Since his success on “America’s Got Talent,” Valentinetti has been touring the country, having even performed at the legendary Madison Square Garden, and released his first debut EP, “The Voice,” and an original holiday single, “When Christmas Comes to Town” in 2017. 

Darcy Oake – Magician – Britain's Got Talent 2013 – Finalist 

In 2014, Darcy Oake garnered more than 200 million viewers on “Britain’s Got Talent.” Oake went on to make a guest appearance on “America’s Got Talent” in 2016 and was further honored to be a part of Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday celebration where he performed before the Royal Family at a private dinner. He has also headlined the Magic Castle in Hollywood and tours the globe with the stage show, “The Illusionists”. 

Colin Cloud – Mentalist – America's Got Talent 2017 – Finalist

Colin Cloud is a mind-reader from Edinburgh and semifinalist on Season 12 of “America’s Got Talent.” Since appearing on the show, Cloud performed for Prince William and Kate Middleton as part of the 2017 Royal Variety Performance and has been performing on Broadway with The Illusionists. Cloud was also awarded the Dunninger Memorial Award – the highest award achievable in the art of mentalism by the Psychic Entertainers Association.

Brian Justin Crum – Singer – America's Got Talent 2016 – Finalist

Since his season of “AGT,” Crum has explored a new genre of resounding pop and dance tracks. His remix cover of Robyn’s “Show Me Love” soared to #2 on the Billboard Dance Charts, hailed by DJ’s around the world and was named one of the Top 10 Billboard Dance Tracks of 2017.

Drew Lynch – Stand-Up Comic – America's Got Talent 2015 – Finalist

Drew Lynch was the runner-up of season 10 of “America’s Got Talent.” He has a YouTube channel with more than 1.5 million subscribers where he uploads videos weekly with his dog, Stella, and produces and writes an animated show called “Therapy Dog.” Lynch also appeared as a guest star on the IFC show “Maron” and continues to pursue his acting career when he isn’t on tour.

Vicki Barbolak – Stand-Up Comic – America's Got Talent 2018 – Finalist

Vicki Barbolak was a finalist on Season 13 of “America's Got Talent.” Since being on “AGT,” Barbolak has embarked on an international tour and launched her own podcast called “Trailer Nasty with Vicki Barbolak.” Her prior accolades include being named a member of Jay Leno’s NBC Laugh Squad, Nick @ Nite’s Funniest Mom in America, and has been featured by E! as the Next Breakout Star to come from The Comedy Store.

Alex Magala – Sword Swallower/Pole Aerialist – Russia’s Got Talent 2014 – Winner

Alex Magala won “Russia’s Got Talent” in 2014 for his world famous sword-swallowing act. Magala has also appeared on many “Got Talents” around the world, including “Britain’s Got Talent” (finalist), “Italia’s Got Talent” (semi-finalist), and “America’s Got Talent” (quarter-finalist). Magala is a member of Sword Swallowing Association International and has been a featured TEDx speaker. 

Bianca Ryan – Singer – America's Got Talent 2006 – Winner

At the age of 11, Bianca Ryan made history and won the hearts of over 20 million Americans when she became the very first winner of “America’s Got Talent.” A native of Philadelphia, this now 23-year-old singing prodigy has worked with some of the most gifted song writers, producers and recording engineers in the music industry, including Quincy Jones and David Foster. 

Samuel J. Comroe – Stand-Up Comic – America's Got Talent 2018 – Finalist

Samuel J. Comroe, a Los Angeles native, is a stand-up comedian who performs at over 100 clubs and colleges annually. He came in fourth place on Season 13 of “America's Got Talent.” Samuel has also appeared on “Conan,” BET’s “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” and All Def’s “Comedy Originals.” His comedy is made up of the trials and tribulations of living with Tourettes Syndrome since being diagnosed at age 6 and observational material based on his life experiences.

The Professional Regurgitator – Regurgitator – Britain’s Got Talent 2010 – Finalist

Stevie Starr (also known as "The Professional Regurgitator") is a Scottish performance artist known for being a professional regurgitator. In his act, he swallows various items such as coins, lightbulbs, balloons, nails, lighter fluid and goldfish, and then regurgitates them. Starr was a finalist on “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2010, “America’s Got Talent” in 2015 and “France’s Got Talent” in 2015. 

Sons of Serendip – Musical Group – America's Got Talent 2014 – Finalist

Sons of Serendip, a Billboard-charting quartet that creates fresh interpretations of popular music, won the hearts of fans and judges as finalists on Season 9 of “America’s Got Talent.” Since the competition, Sons of Serendip has released three successful albums. Their most notable performances include the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, as well as collaborations with Cynthia Erivo, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops. 

Ryan Stock & AmberLynn – Danger Act – America's Got Talent 2015 – Finalist

Ryan Stock and AmberLynn participated in the 11th season of “America’s Got Talent.” During the quarterfinals, the duo went viral and became an overnight sensation when AmberLynn accidentally shot Ryan in the neck with a flaming arrow on live television. After “AGT,” they immediately went on to perform a six-month residency in Las Vegas and take their show around the world. 

Viktor Kee – Juggler – America's Got Talent 2016 – Finalist

Performing on stage since he was 6 years old, the Ukrainian-born juggler is a graduate of the professional Circus School in Kiev. Kee has developed a unique mesmerizing style of juggling that melds dance, acrobatics and juggling into a wondrous ballet of sensuality. He has won a silver medal and Raspini Award at the Cirque de Demain festival in Paris, and has performed at venues such as Moulin Rouge and the MGM Grand with Barbara Streisand in Las Vegas. 

“America’s Got Talent” has remained the #1 summer show for 13 straight seasons. The series once again dominated this past summer’s television landscape with the Tuesday telecast beating the summer’s next most-watched entertainment program (excluding the Wednesday “AGT”) by +5.5 million persons. The final performance episode delivered the show’s most-watched telecast of the season to date, attracting 13 million same-day viewers.

The “Got Talent” format has had more than 900 million global viewers since it began airing in 2006 and has aired in 194 markets worldwide. “Got Talent” holds the Guinness World Records title as the Most Successful Reality Television Format in history, with 70 local versions produced across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle-East, Africa and the Americas.

Auditions for the next season of “America’s Got Talent” are currently underway. Interested acts can register for one of the audition cities or submit an online audition by visiting www.AGTAuditions.com.

“America’s Got Talent” was created by Simon Cowell and is co-produced by Fremantle and Syco Entertainment. Simon Cowell, Sam Donnelly, Jason Raff, Trish Kinane and Richard Wallace are the executive producers.

ABOUT SYCO ENTERTAINMENT

Syco Entertainment, a joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music, is one of the world's leading global music, film and television production companies responsible for some of the most successful global TV and music franchises and is the world's most successful producer of international talent. In 2017, Syco Music was named Music Week's Record Label of the Year and is home to internationally successful artists who have sold more than 380 million records to date. Syco is the record label home to Labrinth, James Arthur, Little Mix, Camila Cabello, Louis Tomlinson, CNCO, Grace VanderWaal, Susan Boyle, and PRETTYMUCH amongst others. Syco's television assets include the global franchises “The X Factor” and “Got Talent.” Around the world, “The X Factor” airs in 168 countries and is watched by more than a half-billion people. Artists discovered by the format have sold more than 200 million records worldwide, including 200 number ones and 380 top 10 records. The “Got Talent” format officially holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for highest number of adaptations, making it the "World's Most Successful Reality TV Format," having been commissioned in an impressive 68 territories worldwide. “America's Got Talent” airs in 186 countries around the globe and has been the #1 U.S. summer reality series for the past decade. Syco Film produced the 2013 #1 global box office hit “One Direction: This Is Us,” a 3D concert movie with Sony Pictures and have partnered with Animal Logic (“The Lego Movie,” “Happy Feet”) to produce a number of music-based live action-hybrid animated movies.

ABOUT FREMANTLE

Fremantle is one of the largest and most successful creators, producers and distributors of scripted and unscripted content in the world. A global entertainment powerhouse, Fremantle has an outstanding international network of production teams, companies, and labels in over 30 countries. Fremantle produces more than 12,000 hours of original programming, roll out more than 60 formats and air 450 programs a year worldwide. The group distributes over 20,000 hours of content in more than 200 territories. Fremantle is also a world leader in digital and branded entertainment, with more than 300 million subscribers across 1,400 social channels and over 100 billion views across all platforms. Fremantle is part of RTL Group, a global leader across broadcast, content, and digital, itself a division of the international media giant Bertelsmann. For more information, visit www.fremantle.com, follow us @FremantleUS or visit our Facebook and Linkedin pages.