Simon Cowell
Chase Varnes, from Vancouver Island in the Canadian province of British Columbia, risked it all to fulfill his dreams on the competition show.
A couple even offered to pay the famous judge for the honor.
The contestant and her Los Osos High School dance teammates were lauded by the tough-to-please judge.
Maya Neelakantan strummed her guitar at first, then wailed away into the hearts of viewers.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
The "America's Got Talent" creator and judge explained why going to therapy felt like "a weight" being lifted off his shoulders.
The "AGT" judge shed bittersweet tears after a South African choir covered the late Nightbirde's "It's OK."
A family-focused routine earned Mike E. Winfield historic praise from the persnickety judge on "All-Stars."
The singer got her moment with judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson at her Walk of Fame ceremony.
Penny Starr Sr. shocked the judges with her "You're a Grand Old Flag" striptease.
Watch Ava Swiss, 18, give an emotional performance on “America’s Got Talent” after opening up about surviving the Oxford High School shooting last year.