Most people still picture Darci Lynne as the shy 12-year-old with a bunny puppet who shocked the world on America’s Got Talent. That image is hard to shake. It was, after all, one of the most-watched moments in reality TV history. But if you haven't been paying attention lately, you’ve missed a pretty massive shift. She’s 21 now. The braces are gone, the voice has matured into a powerhouse, and her resume is starting to look less like a "talent show winner" and more like a working Hollywood actor.
Honestly, the transition from "kid with a puppet" to legitimate screen presence is a minefield. Most child stars trip and fall. Yet, the list of darci lynne movies and tv shows has grown in a way that feels surprisingly intentional. She isn't just popping up for cameos to do a five-minute ventriloquism bit. She’s taking scripted roles, voicing animated characters, and even diving into heavy biopics.
From the AGT Stage to Scripted Sets
We have to start with the obvious: America's Got Talent. It’s the foundation. Winning Season 12 wasn't just a fluke; it was a launchpad that led to her own NBC special, Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas in 2018. That special was a big deal. It pulled in over 9 million viewers and featured heavy hitters like Toby Keith and Kristin Chenoweth. It proved she could anchor a primetime slot, which is no small feat for a teenager.
But the real pivot happened when she started moving into scripted territory. A lot of fans actually missed her appearances on Nickelodeon. She wasn't just a guest; she became a regular fixture on the network for a while.
The Nickelodeon Era
If you have kids or just happen to enjoy slime-adjacent humor, you’ve likely seen her on Nickelodeon’s Unfiltered. She was a panelist alongside Gabrielle Nevaeh Green and Lex Lumpkin. It was a "guess the celebrity" game show, but it allowed her to show off her natural personality without a puppet attached to her hand.
She also cropped up in:
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- Side Hustle: A guest spot that let her flex some comedic acting muscles.
- The Substitute: Where she went undercover to prank students.
- All That: Appearing in the revival of the classic sketch show.
Darci Lynne Movies: Making the Jump to Film
Transitioning to film is where things get interesting. In 2022, she took on a significant role in A Cowgirl’s Song. She played Brooke Mays, the younger sister of the lead character. It's a "heartfelt country music" kind of flick—the sort of thing you'd find on Netflix for a cozy Sunday afternoon.
What’s cool about this movie is that it wasn't just an acting gig. Darci actually wrote one of the original songs for the soundtrack called "Just Breathe." This was a huge "Darci 2.0" moment. It signaled to the industry that she was moving toward being a singer-songwriter, not just a performer of other people's hits.
The Reagan Biopic
The biggest surprise for many was her casting in Reagan, the 2024 biopic starring Dennis Quaid. She didn't play a ventriloquist. She played a teenage girl at a pool trying to get the attention of a young Ronald Reagan (played by David Henrie), who was working as a lifeguard at the time.
It’s a specific, period-accurate role. No puppets. No singing. Just acting. This is the kind of move that suggests she’s looking for longevity in the business. She’s building a filmography that shows range, even if the roles started small.
Voice Work and Guest Spots
Ventriloquists are naturally gifted at voice acting—it's basically the same skill set minus the hand-cramp. Darci has leaned into this. She voiced the character Daisy in Fancy Nancy and even played a fictionalized version of herself (and her puppet Petunia) in Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?.
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There’s also a long list of talk show appearances that helped her maintain her status as a household name. You've probably caught her on The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, or Today. These aren't just fluff; they’re how she’s navigated the awkward "growing up in public" phase while keeping her fanbase engaged.
Recent Shifts: AGT Fantasy League and Beyond
In early 2024, Darci returned to the AGT world for Fantasy League. It was controversial for some "purist" fans. Why? Because she chose to perform her original music solo, without a puppet, for part of the competition.
She told Parade magazine that she didn't want to be "put in a box." She’s very aware that people want the puppets, but she’s also a 21-year-old woman with a massive vocal range and a desire to be a contemporary pop/country artist. This tension between her roots and her future is basically the defining theme of her career right now.
What to Watch: A Quick Guide to Her Best Work
If you’re looking to catch up on her screen career, here is a quick breakdown of where she shines:
- For the OG Talent: Watch her Season 12 America’s Got Talent run on YouTube. Specifically the finale with Terry Fator. It’s still a masterclass.
- For the Music: Check out A Cowgirl’s Song. It’s a solid look at her acting and her transition into original songwriting.
- For the Personality: Find episodes of Nickelodeon’s Unfiltered. It shows the "human" side of her that isn't scripted or hidden behind a character.
- For the History: See her brief but notable role in the Reagan movie.
Where is She Heading Next?
As of 2026, Darci Lynne is currently on a massive tour—her "Darci Lynne & Friends" tour has dates sold out across the country. But don't expect her to stay just on the stage. With her recent moves into film and her focus on original music like her singles "Push Our Luck" and "Someone Wake Me Up," she’s clearly positioning herself as a multi-hyphenate.
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The "puppet girl" label is fading. It’s being replaced by a versatile entertainer who can headline a movie, write a radio hit, and yes, still throw her voice when the moment calls for it.
If you're tracking her career, the next logical step is to look for her on streaming platforms. Most of her film work, including A Cowgirl's Song, has found a second life on Netflix and Peacock. Keeping an eye on her social media (especially her TikTok, which has millions of followers) is usually the best way to catch announcements for new scripted roles before they hit the trades.
The biggest takeaway? Don't bet against her. She’s already survived the hardest part of being a child star: staying relevant after the "cute" factor wears off. Now, she's just a talent. Full stop.
For those wanting to see her live, check her official website for the 2026-2027 tour dates—many of the upcoming shows in Texas and Florida are already hitting "sell out alert" status. Keep your notifications on for new music drops on Spotify, as she’s been hinting at a full-length album that leans more into her singer-songwriter identity than her variety show past.