Honestly, the cast of America's Got Talent All Stars was basically a fever dream for anyone who has spent the last decade glued to NBC on Tuesday nights. It wasn’t just a "best of" reel. It was a global collision of people who had already won their respective countries' versions of the show, mixed with fan favorites who probably should have won but got snubbed by a few thousand votes back in 2017.
When the show premiered in early 2023, the stakes felt weirdly high. You had 60 acts from across the entire "Got Talent" universe—think Romania, UK, Philippines, and even Belgium—all crammed into a nine-episode sprint.
The Three Musketeers (and Terry)
Before we even get to the people doing backflips or making puppets talk, we have to talk about the panel. Unlike the main series where the chairs seem to rotate every few years, the cast of America's Got Talent All Stars kept things tight with the core trio.
- Simon Cowell: Still the boss. Still wearing the same grey t-shirts. He seemed a bit more "proud dad" during this run, mostly because he helped create the careers of half the people on stage.
- Heidi Klum: Bringing the fashion and the high-pitched "Oh my God!" moments.
- Howie Mandel: The resident skeptic who occasionally gets the audience to boo him for being "too honest."
- Terry Crews: The man has more energy in his pinky finger than most people have after four espressos. He returned as the host, doing his signature pec-pop and keeping the vibes immaculate.
Notice someone missing? Sofia Vergara sat this one out. The show opted for a three-judge panel instead of the usual four, which actually made the pacing feel a lot faster.
The 60-Act Gauntlet: Who Actually Competed?
The show didn't just invite locals. They pulled winners from all over the map. We’re talking about Jeanick Fournier (Canada’s Got Talent winner) and Darius Mabda (Romania’s Got Talent winner).
👉 See also: New Movies in Theatre: What Most People Get Wrong About This Month's Picks
The preliminary rounds were brutal. Each week, 10 acts performed, but only two moved on. One was chosen via a Golden Buzzer from the judges or Terry, and the other was picked by the "Superfans"—a mysterious group of voters from all 50 states who weren't in the building but apparently had all the power.
The Final 11
After weeks of cuts, these were the acts that made it to the big finale:
- Aidan Bryant (Aerialist - AGT Season 16 Runner-up)
- Avery Dixon (Saxophonist - AGT Season 17)
- Light Balance Kids (Dance Group - AGT Season 14)
- Ana-Maria Mărgean (Ventriloquist - Romania's Got Talent Winner)
- Aidan McCann (Magician - Britain's Got Talent)
- Power Duo (Aerialists - Philippines Got Talent Winners)
- Tom Ball (Singer - Britain's Got Talent)
- Kodi Lee (Singer/Pianist - AGT Season 14 Winner)
- Detroit Youth Choir (Choir - AGT Season 14)
- Bello Sisters (Acrobats - AGT Season 15)
- Mike E. Winfield (Comedian - AGT Season 17)
The Shockers and Snubs
You can’t talk about the cast of America's Got Talent All Stars without mentioning the people who didn't make it to the end. Terry Fator, arguably the most successful AGT winner ever, came back and didn't even make the finals. That was a "wait, what?" moment for a lot of viewers.
Then there was Dustin Tavella. He won Season 16, but the Superfans weren't feeling it this time around. He was eliminated in his preliminary round. It goes to show that being a former winner doesn't give you a free pass when you're up against the "best of the best" globally.
✨ Don't miss: A Simple Favor Blake Lively: Why Emily Nelson Is Still the Ultimate Screen Mystery
Why Aidan Bryant's Win Mattered
If you remember Season 16, Aidan Bryant—the self-taught aerialist who learned his craft using bedsheets in his backyard—lost to Dustin Tavella. It was a close one.
Coming back for All-Stars, the kid was on a mission. He wasn't just doing "good" routines; he was doing "how is he not dead?" routines. When he was finally crowned the winner of AGT All-Stars, it felt like the ultimate redemption arc. He beat out heavy hitters like Kodi Lee (the most viral winner in history) and Avery Dixon.
The "Superfan" Factor
A lot of people were annoyed by the Superfans. Usually, we get to vote from our couches, but this time, the results were pre-recorded. This meant the cast's fate was entirely in the hands of this selected panel. It changed the dynamic. Instead of popularity contests based on social media following, it felt a bit more like a talent-first competition, though some would argue the "favorites" still had an edge.
Making Sense of the Spin-offs
If you're confused about where All-Stars fits in the AGT cinematic universe, think of it like this:
🔗 Read more: The A Wrinkle in Time Cast: Why This Massive Star Power Didn't Save the Movie
- The Champions: The first version of this "best of" format.
- Extreme: Mostly stunts and stuff that would break a normal stage.
- Fantasy League: Where judges "draft" their favorite acts.
- All-Stars: The 2023 edition that specifically looked at global winners and fan favorites under the three-judge format.
What to Watch Next
If you missed this run, it’s worth going back and watching Tom Ball’s audition. He’s a schoolteacher from the UK with a voice that sounds like a literal angel, and his growth from his BGT days was massive. Also, check out Light Balance Kids. They had a tougher time than most getting to the stage, as some members were struggling to leave Ukraine due to the conflict. Their presence in the cast of America's Got Talent All Stars was about much more than just dancing in the dark.
For those looking to track where these performers are now, most have moved on to Vegas residencies or massive international tours. Aidan Bryant is a staple in the AGT Live show in Las Vegas, proving that the All-Star title is more than just a trophy—it’s a career-sealing stamp of approval.
Next Step for You: Check out the official AGT YouTube channel to see the full "Grand Finale" performances. Watching Aidan Bryant and Avery Dixon go head-to-head in the final moments is still some of the best television the franchise has ever produced.