Top 5 Most Surprising Acts from Americas Got Talent

Publish date: 2024-07-05

Millions of fans tune in to see America’s most talented being plucked from obscurity and turned into stars – and they have plenty to see.

During the now twelve seasons since America’s Got Talent first aired on television, the show has generated some of the biggest names in entertainment. So the supply of surprising acts from America’s Got Talent never seems to run dry. 

There are too many extraordinary performances to fit into a single article, but here are five which are highlights of the show for sure.

  • Jon Dorenbos

    • Jon Dorenbos achieved great success in his career in the NFL. However, he had to retire after having a successful open heart surgery to repair a defective aortic valve. Always with a positive mindset, a great sense of humor and a smile on his face, Jon started dedicating more time to his other big passion: Magic. 

    Now a successful motivational speaker and entertainer, Jon uses his skills as a sleight-of-hand magician and his incredible life story to inspire others.

    Watch John dazzle judges at America’s Got Talent in the video below (his performance got him the Golden Buzzer).

  • Blake Vogt

    • As he is repeated time and time, Blake Vogt is “obsessed with magic.” Ever since he was a little boy, magic has allowed him to express himself as nothing else did.

    After dropping out of college to pursue magic, Blake had the opportunity to work with David Copperfield in Las Vegas.

    He also created magic for movies like Now You See Me 1 & 2 and Marvel’s Ant-Man, as well as television shows. However, his talent shines the brightest when there is a live audience in front of him.

    How come?

    Well, you can watch his surprising performance in the semi-finals of America’s Got Talent in the video below and see for yourself:

  • Kevin Johnson

    • Kevin Johnson is one of the most experienced ventriloquists in the industry. His passion for this art started when he was only nine years old, and his parents gave him his first pull-string dummy as a gift for Christmas.

    Kevin has been improving his skills as a ventriloquist ever since and even come up with his own technique for not moving his mouth when he is performing. However, what makes him stand out from the rest is his incredible ability to build convincing characters which seem to have real personalities and appeal to all kinds of audience.

    Kevin appeared on America’s Got Talent in 2006 when he managed to get Simon Cowell to react unexpectedly by saying: “America loves you.”

  • Merrick Hanna

    • Merrick Hanna had one of the most surprising acts from America’s Got Talent, season 12, thanks to his popping “flo-bot” dancing style. The 12-year-old young dancer captivated the audience with his sweet personality, unexpected robot-like moves, and stage charisma.

    Despite his young age, Merrick was also featured on shows such as “Lip Sync Battle Shorties,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “So You Think You Can Dance.”

    Merrick became an instant sensation online as well with his AGT audition performance gaining more than 16 Million views on YouTube alone. Take a look:

  • Donovan Jones and Rebecca Peache

    • No list of most surprising acts from America’s Got Talent is complete without the mention of Donovan Jones and Rebecca Peache – seven-time Guinness World Record holders.

    Their act specializes in aerial acrobatics and acrobalance, which is best described as a combination of partner lifts and hand balancing. Their aerial act which seems to defy the laws of gravity will keep any audience on the edge of their seats.

    Don’t take our word for it, in any case. Here’s their 2012 AGT performance which left the judges in awe:

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