America’s Got Talent Season 21 continued its auditions with a memorable second episode on June 9, delivering emotional Golden Buzzer moments, standout performances from viral social media stars, and several acts that left the judges sharply divided.
The episode marked an important night for Sofia Vergara, who had not yet used a Golden Buzzer this season. By the end of the show, she had found her pick, while Howie Mandel handed out another Golden Buzzer of his own. The result was one of the busiest and most talked-about audition episodes of the season so far.
This year, AGT has introduced a revised format. Each judge and host Terry Crews has two Golden Buzzers, allowing 10 acts to advance directly to the live shows. Contestants who receive at least three yes votes but are not sent through automatically will move into the new Judges’ Callbacks round, where the panel will determine who earns the remaining live-show spots. Additional information about the competition format is available on the official NBC America’s Got Talent page.
Two Golden Buzzers Headline Episode 2
The biggest moment of the night belonged to Australian singer Lara D. Her performance immediately connected with the audience and judges, earning praise from Simon Cowell, who called it “brilliant,” while Sofia Vergara said there was something special about the singer that everyone in the room could feel.
As Howie Mandel appeared ready to make a major move, Sofia stepped in first and pressed her first Golden Buzzer of Season 21. The decision sends Lara D directly to the live shows and makes her one of the early favorites of the competition.
Later in the episode, South Korean magic group Hundred Fingers delivered a visually impressive illusion performance that left the judges stunned. Howie Mandel called it one of the best magic acts he had ever seen and awarded the group his second and final Golden Buzzer of the season. Simon Cowell also described the act as one of the strongest magic performances to appear on the AGT stage.
Read More
TikTok Personalities Bring Their Talents to the AGT Stage
Episode 2 also featured several contestants already familiar to millions of viewers online. Viral creators Frankie Lapenna, Rynia Kando, and Abiud Sando all made their AGT debuts.
Frankie Lapenna’s balloon-popping routine failed to impress the judges. Mel B and Sofia Vergara buzzed the act, while Howie questioned whether it belonged on AGT, resulting in elimination.
Breakdancer Abiud Sando enjoyed a much better outcome. Although Mel B was unconvinced, Howie, Sofia and Simon all voted yes. Simon said he could already imagine a larger version of the act in future rounds, helping Abiud advance.
Comedian and impressionist Rynia Kando also moved forward after winning support from Sofia, Simon and Howie. Her celebrity impressions generated laughs from both the judges and audience, though Mel B felt the performance needed more showmanship.
The night produced several other successful auditions. Hawaiian singing duo Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm received four yes votes after impressing the judges with their harmonies. Howie compared their potential impact to former AGT winner Grace VanderWaal.
Aerial performers Holland and Sienna earned unanimous support after completing a technically demanding routine despite experiencing a wardrobe issue during the performance. Sofia called the act flawless, while Mel B praised the difficulty of what they accomplished.
Magician Geno Ploeger advanced with four yes votes thanks to his fast-paced style and energetic stage presence. Simon noted that his enthusiasm helped him stand apart even on a night dominated by another major magic act.
The episode concluded with Portuguese performer Cesar Dias, whose blend of singing, comedy and audience engagement earned praise from all four judges and secured his place in the next stage of the competition.
Not every act advanced. Science performer Kevin Quantum received buzzers from all four judges after a lengthy cannonball experiment failed to connect with the audience. Meanwhile, Julia and Charlie, an opera-singing dog act, were eliminated after the judges felt the performance never fully came together. Shock-performance duo Brad and Tracy split opinion but still advanced after receiving yes votes from Howie, Sofia and Simon.
Season 21 is one of the most anticipated reality television events of the summer. As audiences follow the latest AGT auditions and Golden Buzzer moments, many are also keeping an eye on the broader lineup of returning shows featured in the June 2026 reality TV schedule.
With Sofia Vergara now on the Golden Buzzer board and Howie Mandel having used both of his selections, attention will shift to Simon Cowell, Mel B and Terry Crews in the weeks ahead. After two audition episodes, the competition is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive AGT seasons in recent memory.
Make Swikblog your go-to source on Google for reliable updates, smart insights, and daily trends.
