‘America’s Got Talent’ Finale Part 1 Recap: Angelica Hale, Diavolo & Darci Lynne Shine

The America’s Got Talent season 12 finale show is upon us, with the final ten contestants competing for the last time on the AGT stage.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT RECAP

We are down to Angelica Hale, Mandy Harvey, Light Balance, Kechi, Diavolo, Darci Lynne, Evie Clair, Preacher Lawson, Sara Carson and Hero, and Chase Goehring. Ten-year-old Hale began the show with a rendition of “Symphony.” All the judges loved her performance, particularly Simon Cowell, who is notoriously hard to please. “I actually am going to say, I’m gobsmacked,” he said. “It doesn’t feel to me that your mom or dad told you what to sing, which makes you relevant. You’re like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, or Justin Timberlake, who started on shows like this. We may look back and this may be the start of your career.”

Geohring was up second, performing another original, “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall.” Thus far, his original songs have not disappointed, and this one was no exception. “You did it,” said judge Heidi Klum. “I think a lot of people connect with your music. No matter what happens tomorrow, I know I will turn on the radio someday and you will be on it.”

Third was Carson and her dogs Hero and Loki. Simon loves her routines every time, and even convinced Howie Mandel to change his vote to a positive one in the auditions to save her from elimination. “This was honestly incredible. If these were humans, this would be an amazing act. It was stunning. It was magic,” said Simon in awe. Howie seems to have come around a bit, but is still not terribly impressed. “Where else can you see a dog act but AGT? It wasn’t perfect but that added to the fun,” he said.

Vegas dance troupe Diavolo took the stage fourth and did a terrific performance that got all four judges on their feet applauding – a big change from last week’s subpar routine. “I don’t even know where to start. Every time we see you, you are extraordinary,” gushed judge Mel B. “Tonight, you just topped yourself. What I love about you guys is you’re a collective force that embodies teamwork.”

Fifth was the incredible 13-year-old Evie Clair, who lost her father to cancer just two weeks ago. She said she couldn’t give up the show because it’s not what her dad would have wanted. She performed Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” and it was an emotional moment for everyone, and one that did not call for any judging tonight. “I am not going to judge you. I am going to tell you how much I respect you,” said Simon. “This is a great tribute to your dad. Your voice was beautiful. Your song was beautiful. You’ve given yourself a shot. Congratulations.”

Sixth on the list was Lawson, the last remaining comedian in the competition. He did an animated routine about a run-in with a naked homeless man in the street. All the judges ate it up except for Heidi, who said she “didn’t love the material today.” But Mel B admitted, “My cheeks are killing me because I couldn’t stop laughing. Your energy is on fire… I could watch you do comedy all night long.”

Kechi followed Lawson’s act with her performance of Estelle’s “Conqueror.” Simon loved the performance, and gave her a compliment beyond just her singing abilities. “I just love you, everything about you. That wasn’t a song. That was an anthem,” he said. “We are only as good as the people on the show. You are everything I hope this show will be. You made a difference for us and, I hope, the people at home. Your song choices have been spot on.” Heidi chimed in, “We have had a lot of people come and go but you I will never forget.”

Fan favorite Darci Lynne was up next and brought her puppets Oscar and Petunia. Together they sang “Somebody to Love” by Queen. She was Mel B’s Golden Buzzer pick all those weeks ago, and she still loves her. “You are just hands down incredible,” she said. “You are 12 years old, you are self-taught, you were so shy, and look at you now. You could win this.”

Deaf singer Mandy Harvey performed next with a rendition of Rascal Flatts’ “I’m Movin’ On.” Howie admitted that he preferred her performance last week, but still thinks she could win. “The emotion was seriously incredible,” said Simon. “You lost your hearing ten years ago, you haven’t heard Adele or other current singers, yet your songs are so current. You are amazing. We got so lucky to have all you on the show tonight.”

The final act of the night was host Tyra Banks‘ Golden Buzzer pick Light Balance. The black-out dance troupe did a stellar routine that left the judges excited. “That was perfection,” said Heidi simply. Mel B adds, “Tonight was your best performance to date. That was incredible.”

Tune in tomorrow night to see who wins the $1 million prize on America’s Got Talent, which airs at 8 pm on NBC.