Television is usually predictable. You turn on a talent show, you see a singer with a sob story, a magician who does the "card in the pocket" trick, and maybe a dancer who’s a bit too enthusiastic for a Tuesday night. But America's Got Talent 2022—Season 17 for the completionists out there—was different. It felt like the producers finally leaned into the chaos.
Think back to May 2022. We were all just starting to feel normal again, and then Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel sat down to judge a guy dressed as a giant wedge of cheese. Honestly, it was the reset we needed. The talent wasn’t just "good." It was bizarre, tech-heavy, and occasionally heartbreaking in a way that didn't feel scripted.
The season ran from May 31 to September 14, and by the time the confetti fell, the landscape of variety TV had shifted. People weren't just voting for the best voice anymore. They were voting for the "moment."
The Tech Revolution and the Meta-Physic Incident
One of the most jarring things about America's Got Talent 2022 was the sudden integration of high-level AI and deepfake technology. We saw MetaPhysic. They didn't just sing; they used synthetic media to make it look like Simon Cowell was performing "You're the One That I Want" alongside Heidi and Sofia. It was uncanny. It was creepy. It was also brilliant.
It forced a conversation: Is it still "talent" if a computer is doing the heavy lifting?
The judges were floored, mostly because seeing your own face on a screen doing things you aren't doing is a trip. This wasn't just a gimmick; it was a precursor to the AI boom we’re living through now. MetaPhysic eventually made it to the finals, proving that the AGT audience was ready to embrace the "Uncanny Valley" as long as it was entertaining.
Then you had the pure, raw stuff.
The Mayyas.
Let’s talk about them because, frankly, they redefined what a group act looks like. Hailing from Lebanon, this alternative dance crew wasn't just synchronized; they were architectural. Sofia Vergara hit her Golden Buzzer for them, and it was probably the most justified "big button" moment in the show’s history. They didn't just dance; they created moving illusions with their bodies that looked like kaleidoscopic imagery. It was hypnotic.
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Why the Winner Selection Caused a Stir
When the finale rolled around, the tension was thick. You had Drake Milligan, a guy who looked and sounded like the next big thing in country music. He already had songs charting on iTunes while the show was still filming. Most people thought he had it in the bag. He had the look, the hair, and the Nashville-ready sound.
But America went a different way.
The Mayyas took the top prize.
It was a massive moment for global representation on an "American" show. They took home the $1 million and the headlining slot in Las Vegas. It signaled a shift in the voter demographic. People wanted excellence over commercial viability. They wanted something they hadn't seen a thousand times before on the radio.
- First Place: The Mayyas (Dance Group)
- Second Place: Kristy Sellars (Pole Dancer/Multi-media artist)
- Third Place: Drake Milligan (Country Singer)
Wait, Kristy Sellars. Let’s pause there. A pole dancer in the top two?
Ten years ago, that wouldn't have happened. But Kristy wasn't just doing athletics; she was interacting with digital backdrops in a way that made it look like she was flying through different worlds. It was high-art athleticism. The 2022 season was the year of the "Visual Specatcle."
The Golden Buzzer Moments That Actually Mattered
Every year, the Golden Buzzers are the backbone of the narrative. In 2022, they were a mixed bag of tear-jerkers and "wow" moments.
Avery Dixon, the saxophonist who opened the season, got Terry Crews’ buzzer. His story about bullying resonated, but his playing was genuinely soulful. It wasn't just a pity vote. Then there was Sara James, the young singer from Poland that Simon Cowell championed. She covered Billie Eilish’s "Lovely," and for a second, you forgot she was a kid. The maturity in her tone was startling.
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And we can't forget Chapel Hart.
They were a trio of country singers who did an original song called "You Can Have Him Jolene." It was a sassy, modern answer to Dolly Parton’s classic. The judges were so impressed they did something they rarely do: a collective Golden Buzzer. It was a "rules-be-damned" moment that felt authentic.
But not everything was a hit.
The season had its share of controversy. Some fans felt the "sob stories" were getting a bit too much airtime compared to the actual acts. Others complained that too many performers were already professionals in their home countries. For example, the Mayyas had already won Arab's Got Talent.
Does that matter?
In the eyes of the producers, no. The goal is to put on the best show possible. If that means bringing in ringers from overseas, they'll do it. But it does leave a bit of a salty taste for the "guy in his garage" type of contestant who is actually just starting out.
The Judging Dynamic: Was It Getting Stale?
Simon, Howie, Heidi, and Sofia have a rhythm. Sometimes that rhythm feels like a well-oiled machine; other times it feels like they’re reading from a script. In 2022, the friction felt real-ish. Howie Mandel, specifically, seemed more critical than usual. He was the "no" man of the season, often buzzing acts that the audience clearly loved.
Heidi and Sofia mostly stayed in their lanes—Heidi looking for the "fun" and Sofia looking for the "heart." Simon, surprisingly, has softened. The "Nasty Simon" of the early 2000s is gone, replaced by a guy who seems genuinely moved by animal acts and kids with big dreams.
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Whether you love or hate the judging panel, they know how to steer the ship. They understand that AGT isn't just a talent show; it's a variety hour.
Key Takeaways from the 2022 Season
If you're looking back at America's Got Talent 2022 to understand where entertainment is headed, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, production value is king. You can't just stand there and sing anymore. You need a "hook." Whether it’s 3D projection mapping or a viral-ready social media presence, the act has to be "shareable."
Second, the "Original Song" gamble is paying off. For years, contestants were told to stick to covers. In 2022, acts like Drake Milligan and Chapel Hart proved that if you have a good original song, you should lead with it. It builds a brand immediately.
Third, the global reach is undeniable. The fact that a dance troupe from Lebanon won a show titled "America's Got Talent" tells you everything you need to know about the brand's evolution. It’s a world stage now.
How to Apply These Lessons if You're a Performer
If you’re a creator or a performer watching these old clips and wondering how to get that kind of traction, don't just mimic what worked. The Mayyas won because they were original. MetaPhysic succeeded because they were first to the tech.
- Audit your "First Ten Seconds": On AGT, if you haven't grabbed them in ten seconds, you're dead. This applies to YouTube, TikTok, or a live stage.
- Lean into your weirdness: The acts that were "just okay" at a standard skill were forgotten. The acts that did something oddly specific—like the "Parmesan" guy—stayed in people's heads.
- Invest in your visuals: Even if it’s just better lighting for your filmed auditions, the 2022 season proved that the eyes eat before the ears.
America's Got Talent 2022 wasn't just a blip in the series. It was the moment the show embraced the future of entertainment—one that is global, tech-heavy, and unapologetically strange. Watching those performances back now, you can see the seeds of the next decade of TV being planted. It was a weird, wild ride, and honestly, we probably won't see a top three that diverse for a long time.