Why Audiences First Fell in Love with These AGT: Fantasy League Singing Acts

Dreams are coming true on America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League as Judges bring back some of the most outstanding AGT and other Got Talent franchise Acts of all time.

Judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and returning Judge Mel B. compete in the America’s Got Talent spin-off, drafting their picks for their Dream Teams and vying for bragging rights the $250,000 prize for their winning Act.

RELATED: Here Are the 40 Acts Returning to Compete in the AGT: Fantasy League Spinoff

Forty talented Acts have been carefully pre-selected — with the help of AGT fans — and we’re highlighting some of the most unforgettable singing Acts who will be returning on AGT: Fantasy League and reminding audiences why we fell in love with them in the first place.

Brian Justin Crum

Few would forget Brian Justin Crum’s 2016 AGT Audition in Season 11 when he wowed audiences with a powerful rendition of Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” The then-28-year-old singer from San Diego earned not just the adoration of spectators but a standing ovation from all four Judges.

Perhaps most memorable during his time on the series was his haunting cover of Radiohead’s “Creep,” which Cowell cited as “breathtaking.”

Crum placed fourth in the overall competition, but it wasn’t the last time he graced fans by appearing in the AGT universe. He returned in 2019 for America’s Got Talent: The Champions, advancing with his cover of Elton John’s “Your Song” and performing an epic duet with Cristina Ramos.

Chapel Hart

Chapel Hart, the Mississippi country-singing trio worthy of getting the Golden Buzzer from all four Judges (and AGT Host Terry Crews), remains one of AGT’s standout acts. The three women — consisting of sisters Devynn Hart, Danica Hart, and their cousin, Trea Swindle — indelibly impressed Judges in 2022 with their original song, “You Can Have Him, Jolene,” an answer song to Dolly Parton’s 1973 anthem “Jolene.”

Yes, Dolly loved the group’s “fun new take” of the classic, and viewers fell in love with Chapel Hart’s fun and sassy southern charm throughout AGT Season 17. The women ascended to fifth place with original songs, including “The Girls Are Back in Town” and “American Pride.”

Rhinestones, denim, and cowgirl boots (oh, my!)  were just part of what made Chapel Hart so unforgettable.

Darci Lynne

In 2017, Darci Lynne staked her claim as an AGT Winner when still just a giggly 12-year-old from Oklahoma. In Season 12, Darci took the stage with a surprising act that melded ventriloquism, comedy, and song, all with the help of her pink puppet, Petunia. The tween hoped to resurrect the art of ventriloquism, eventually snagging the Golden Buzzer from Mel B.

Following her jaw-dropping rendition of Gershwin’s “Summertime” and some comedic back-and-forth between Darci and Petunia — all while not moving her lips — Darci’s wholesome and adorable persona captured audiences’ hearts worldwide. Soon, she became a household name and found massive success outside her win, even returning for AGT: Champions.

In 2022, Cowell named Darci one of his favorite Golden Buzzer moments in AGT history.

Drake Milligan  

Third-place winner Drake Milligan made his mark on AGT Season 17, earning the moniker “The New Elvis of Country.” The young and charming Elvis impersonator from Fort Worth, Texas, came with his own band, auditioning with the original song, “Sounds Like Something I’d Do,” which earned a resounding yes vote from all Judges.

Milligan’s catchy single was a massive hit on AGT, also peaking at No. 1 on the iTunes Country Singles Chart and being nominated for Breakthrough Male Video of the Year at the 2023 CMT Awards.

Milligan returned to perform in AGT Season 18 during the Live Results, delivering an electrifying performance of his own “I Got A Problem.” He shows no signs of stopping since recently being named as one of 40 acts showing up for Fantasy League.

Enkh-Erdene

Singer Enkh-Erdene may be a name new on AGT, but the 2016 winner of Mongolia’s Got Talent will surely make waves in Fantasy League. The Mongolian singer stunned audiences abroad with his English-speaking version of George Strait’s “Amarillo by Morning” as his introduction to the Got Talent stage, earning him later spots on talent shows around the globe.

Dubbed “The Mongolian Cowboy” for his impeccable country covers, fans worldwide have flocked to hear him croon a handful of country legends, John Denver and Elvis included. It’s also worth mentioning that many have been particularly impressed by his pitch-perfect notes and southern drawl since, aside from music, Enkh-Erdene does not speak English.

In 2023, he returned to the Mongolia’s Got Talent stage as a guest performer.

Hans

“The Bitch is Back,” and so is life-of-the-party performer, Hans! Representing Germany, the singer and multi-instrumentalist is hard to forget, given his trademark blue eyeshadow, full-out sparkly costumes, and larger-than-life personality.

The self-proclaimed “sex symbol” and “international superstar” had Judges fall in love with his exuberance and confidence, both of which were displayed in his Season 13 Audition of “Proud Mary.” Viewers cheered as Hans sang the Tina Turner hit, incorporating tap dance, accordion, and even some impressive splits.

Hans climbed his way to the AGT Quarterfinals, partly due to his lively rendition of “It’s Raining Men,” purple sequins and all. He later competed in the second season of AGT: The Champions.

Kodi Lee

Kodi Lee pulled on America’s heartstrings in AGT Season 14, earning the coveted Golden Buzzer and crowned winner in 2019. The singer and pianist defied every one of life’s challenges — including his being blind and living with autism — and remains one of the most memorable AGT performers of all time.

The musical savant moved and inspired every corner of the Got Talent universe, first by covering Leon Russell’s “A Song for You” and later with songs such as Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” After sweeping the competition, Lee returned for a live performance on AGT in 2022 and advanced to the Finals on America’s Got Talent: All-Stars.

The AGT champion continues to show the world anything is possible, especially in his numerous musical covers and a recent standing ovation for his Fantasy League debut.

Loren Allred

Brooklyn, New York, singer Loren Allred shocked Judges when auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent in 2022, not just for her incredible singing range but for revealing herself as the voice behind “Never Enough,” the iconic track heard in the film The Greatest Showman.

“Ready to put a face to the song,” Allred blew the Judges’ hair back, deservedly getting Golden Buzzer glory.

Cowell recognized Allred hadn’t earned the recognition for singing behind Rebecca Ferguson’s character in the film, a track he called “one of the most incredible vocals ever.” He said seeing Allred reveal herself made it “one of the most incredible Audition moments” of his career.

Allred made it to the Finals of BGT, and now she’s bringing it back home to compete in Fantasy League for a quarter-million-dollar prize. Several years before singing the chart-topping hit, Allred competed in Season 3 of NBC’s The Voice.  

Maria Seiren

Maria Seiren hit the ground running, already making a name for herself in Fantasy League. The Japanese opera singer hit the high notes with her take on Andrea Bocelli’s “Time to Say Goodbye.” But perhaps most astounding was Seiren’s uncanny ability to waver between multiple vocal ranges (primarily soprano and tenor), making her solo performance sound more like a duet between a man and a woman.

Even Cowell admitted, “I wasn’t expecting it.”

However, it wasn’t Seiren’s first time in the Got Talent franchise. In early 2023, the Tokyo-based performer placed first in Japan’s Got Talent premiere season. While Seiren may not be advancing in Fantasy League, it’s upward and onward for the talented singer.

Sainted

Sainted, a 26-person “trap choir,” is the AGT gift that keeps on giving. The Charlotte, North Carolina-based musical group still has people talking, thanks to their unique blend of gospel and trap music.

Few could forget their 2023 Audition, which showcased not only Sainted’s singing but also their “fantastic” choreography and their “young and exciting” vibe. The set began and ended with the ensemble in the praying position, bringing audiences to their feet with mashups incorporating Migos, Lil Uzi Vert, and 90’s dance classics.

Cowell literally thanked God for their performance and blessed them with “4,000 yesses.”

Later in Season 18, Sainted brilliantly brought down the house with an all-pink performance and reached the Semifinals. They plan to bring down the house once again for Fantasy League.

Sheldon Riley

Australian singer Sheldon Riley continues to stage-hop around the globe since reaching the AGT Season 15 Quarterfinals.

Riley became known for his air of mystery, especially because he spoke so little outside his music. But even more implanted in memory was his self-designed avant-garde fashion, which often concealed his face with jeweled veils and eye-catching headpieces.  

During his Audition, Riley opened up about his passion for fashion and feelings of invisibility. For him, singing helped him to feel seen.

Beyond earning all yes votes from the Judges for his intro to AGT, spectators got chills when he delivered a haunting rendition of Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.” He designed a straitjacket-inspired ensemble and ornate metal mask specifically for the occasion, accessories AGT fans won’t soon forget.

Travis Japan

Japanese boy band Travis Japan came strong onto the AGT scene, bedazzled and in sync for their Season 17 Audition. They achieved their goal of making the Judges smile, all seven singers hoping to make it big in America with their original “My Dreamy Hollywood,” singing and dancing with seamless choreography.

The bubblegum tune and well-rehearsed harmonies had everyone out of their seats, which helped them advance to the Semifinals. They dazzled the crowd with another original song, “Party Up Like Crazy.”

There's no doubt these talented Acts will continue to wow audiences from the AGT stage where dreams really do come true.

Watch all-new episodes of America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League, airing Mondays at 8/7c on NBC and streaming the next day on Peacock.