They’re Golden! All the ‘America’s Got Talent’ Winners From Season 1 Until Now

Bianca Ryan – Season 1

Bianca Ryan won season 1 of America’s Got Talent way back in 2006. She released three albums before turning her attention toward school, but later experience health issues resulting in one of her vocal cords becoming paralyzed. Such a hurdle didn’t stop Bianca, however, and she underwent surgery to fix the issue and get back to singing. She went on to compete in America’s Got Talent: The Champions in 2018 and has since released another album.

Terry Fator – Season 2

Season 2 saw Terry Fator, the singing ventriloquist, take home the win. Since then, he’s made quite a career for himself and has maintained a “record-breaking residency” at The Mirage hotel and New York, New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Neal E. Boyd – Season 3

Neal E. Boyd, an opera singer from Missouri, took home the prize in season 3. After winning AGT, he released an album, performed for four U.S. presidents and reached the top 10 classical albums on the Billboard charts. Sadly, the talented singer died on June 10, 2018, due to complications from liver disease.

Kevin Skinner – Season 4

After winning season 4 in 2009, country singer Kevin Skinner released an album titled Long Ride. Unfortunately, his post-AGT life has been mired with mental health issues and he has stayed relatively out of the spotlight.

Michael Grimm – Season 5

Musician Michael Grimm beat out favorite opera singer Jackie Evancho for the title of America’s Got Talent in season 5. In the immediate aftermath, he proposed to his girlfriend, Lucie Zolcerova, while appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and the two later tied the knot in Hawaii.

Grimm enjoyed time in the spotlight and even opened for Stevie Nicks in 2011. The most recent album of his to date was released in 2015.

Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. – Season 6

Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.’s Frank Sinatra-style vocals led him to a win in season 6. He released an album titled That’s Life and headlined in Las Vegas. Once struggling to make ends meet, Landau has made appearances on The View, NBC’s Today and even performed at the Apollo Theater in New York. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the singer returned to school to finish his high school diploma and advocates for adult education to this day.

Olate Dogs – Season 7

Father-son duo Richard and Nicholas Olate of Olate Dogs, accompanied by their adorable pups, were the first non-singing act to win AGT. After their season 7 win, they performed on national TV, appeared in a movie and even worked alongside Miranda Lambert, Paula Abdul and the late great Betty White.

Kenichi Ebina – Season 8

Kenichi Ebina won season 8 for his martial arts dancing and miming skills. He became the first international winner of AGT and later returned to the stage during America’s Got Talent: The Champions in 2019.

Mat Franco – Season 9

Mat Franco became the first magician to ever nab the AGT title, and he has since become a force to be reckoned with in the performance community. He has now been performing in Las Vegas for seven years and his headlining show, Magic Reinvented Nightly, has been named one of the best shows on the Strip by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Paul Zerdin – Season 10

Ironically, it was a British act who won season 10 of America’s Got Talent. Paul Zerdin, the comedian ventriloquist, is still performing live and came back to the stage during America’s Got Talent: The Champions.

Grace VanderWaal – Season 11

The pint-sized singer-songwriter, Grace VanderWaal, won season 11 of AGT and went on to release a full-length album. She took home Billboard’s Rising Star Award, scored a Radio Disney Music Award and a Teen Choice Award before releasing two more studio albums. She made her acting debut in Disney’s Stargirl in 2020 and reprised the role in Hollywood Stargirl in 2022. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Grace became the youngest person to be named as one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in music.

Darci Lynne Farmer – Season 12

Darci Lynne Farmer and puppet Petunia stole hearts and won first place on season 12 of AGT. The teen has gone on to perform with famous ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, perform a national tour and she even returned to the competition’s stage for America’s Got Talent: The Champions, snagging second place.

Shin Lim – Season 13

After winning season 13, impressive magician Shin Lim went on to immediately compete in the Champions season in February 2019 — and he won that, too. He then snagged his own show in Las Vegas, toured the United States in 2020 and has made a number of high profile media appearances. He married longtime love Casey Thomas in 2019.

Kodi Lee – Season 14

There was not a dry eye in the audience when Kodi Lee – a blind, autistic singer from California – played the piano and flawlessly sang “A Song for You.” He scored Gabrielle Union‘s golden buzzer and clinched the AGT title, and has since performed with band Journey.

Brandon Leake – Season 15

Brandon Leake became the first poet to win AGT, scoring Howie Mandel’s golden buzzer and taking home the ultimate prize. He has since performed at the Luxor in Las Vegas and released a poetry album entitled Deficiencies: A Tale from My Dark Side.

Dustin Tavella – Season 16

Third time’s the charm! Dustin Tavella became the third magician to win AGT, impressing the judges and viewers with his mind-boggling card tricks. He has since headlined his own show and now calls Las Vegas home.

Mayyas – Season 17

Mayyas, an all-female dance group, wowed the judges from day one. They scored Sofia Vergara’s golden buzzer and ultimately took home the AGT title. They have since performed internationally, impressing audiences with their flawless technique.