'AGT' results: Golden Buzzer The Mayyas learn fate, Sofía Vergara's wildcard sent to finals
At long last, every spot in the "America's Got Talent" season finale has been claimed.
And the competition is looking fiercer than ever, according to judge Simon Cowell.
"We are seeing some of the most astonishing live performances I've ever seen," he said at the top of Wednesday's live results show. "If my hunch is right, we’re gonna end up with the most incredible final. ... And it’s the most open final we’ve ever had."
During the hour-long show, host Terry Crews revealed which two of the 11 acts that performed the night prior clinched a spot in the finale. Cowell and fellow judges Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofía Vergara watched on, but couldn't do anything about the results, which were up to America's vote.
Before Crews got to the results, Mandel apologized to Japanese boy band Travis Japan, whose fans blew up the judge's Twitter mentions after he gave the group the X in the middle of their performance.
"Maybe I was a little harsh with the buzzer," he said, to raucous boos from the crowd. Mandel then said a phrase in Japanese. Cowell inquired if that translated to "I am an idiot."
Not quite.
"I said, 'People of Japan, I love you,' " Mandel replied.
Top 5 revealed
First to learn their fates were the singers: Kristen Cruz, Aubrey Burchell and Travis Japan. Cruz claimed the first spot in the Top 5.
She was joined by pole dancer Kristy Sellars — who beat out danger act Blade 2 Blade and yo-yo performer Shu Takada — as well as dance group Urban Crew, who beat young dancer Max Ostler.
'AGT's Simon Cowell amazed by 'astonishingly brilliant, creative' pole dancer: Watch here
Rounding out the Top 5 were women's dance group The Mayyas, who wowed the night before with their stunning synchronicity, and magician Mervant Vera — which meant the end of the road for comedian Jordan Conley.
"My heart, honest to God, it is like pumping," Cowell said of the results thus far. "Genuinely sorry to see so many great people go, but, at the end of the day, only two are going through. I do believe America has made the right decision again."
Judges put forth wildcards
The top three came down to The Mayyas, Vera and Sellars, with The Mayyas and Sellars clinching the two spots in the finale.
"You are a perfect example of what this final is gonna be," Mandel told Sellars, who brings digital media to pole dancing for a magical effect. "So much originality. It's gonna be the most exciting, empowering finals I’ve ever seen."
But they're not the only ones going to the finale from tonight.
Surpise! Crews reminded the audience there's one spot left for a wildcard. Each judge had to put forward one eliminated act on the spot, and then America had no more than five minutes to vote online for which act would get the final spot.
Cowell nominated The Players Choir, Vergara picked ventriloquist Celia Muñoz, Klum went with her Golden Buzzer singer Lily Meola and Mandel chose comedian Don McMillan.
After a "really, really close" vote, Crews video-called the winner with the good news.
That winner was Muñoz.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, everybody!" she exclaimed. "I’m really grateful for this second chance!"
'AGT' judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel get 'deepfake' treatment by AI act Metaphysic: Watch here
Muñoz, The Mayyas and Sellars will join country singer Drake Milligan, saxophonist Avery Dixon, country trio Chapel Hart, magician Yu Hojin, magician Nicolas Ribs, singer Sara James, AI musicians Metaphysic and comedian Mike E. Winfield in the finale.
Who will win? That's up to you, America.
'AGT': Did singer Sara James, Simon Cowell's 14-year-old Golden Buzzer, advance to finals?
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'AGT' live results: Sofía Vergara gives eliminated act second chance
