The Unprecedented Panel: 4 Shocking Secrets & The Golden Buzzer Twist That Defined America's Got Talent 2024

The 2024 season of *America's Got Talent* (AGT) delivered one of the most unpredictable and talent-packed competitions in the show's history, thanks in part to a familiar judging panel and a massive rule change that redefined the audition process. As of today, December 13, 2025, the lineup of judges who presided over Season 19—which aired from May to September 2024—remains the gold standard for the franchise, featuring the powerhouse quartet of Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Sofía Vergara, with the ever-present Terry Crews as the host. This article dives deep into the judges’ recent careers, the season’s game-changing twist, and the phenomenal acts they helped catapult to stardom, including the surprise winner, Richard Goodall. The continuity of the judging panel provided a stable, yet electric, dynamic for *AGT* Season 19, allowing the judges' individual personalities and specific tastes to shine through as they evaluated a diverse array of global talent. However, the biggest news of the season was a dramatic, unprecedented change to the coveted Golden Buzzer, which fundamentally altered how many acts advanced directly to the live shows. This twist, alongside the judges' own busy 2024 schedules, kept the energy fresh and the competition fierce from the very first audition.

Meet the Phenomenal Panel: AGT Judges 2024 Biography & Recent Projects

The four main judges for *America's Got Talent* Season 19 (2024) were a returning group of television veterans, each bringing a unique background in comedy, music, fashion, and acting. Their chemistry and conflicting opinions are a cornerstone of the show's success.

Simon Cowell (Executive Producer & Judge)

• Full Name: Simon Phillip Cowell
• Born: October 7, 1959 (Age 66 in 2025)
• Nationality: British
• Role on AGT: Judge (since Season 11) and Executive Producer
• Signature Style: The "Mr. Nasty" persona, known for his direct, often blunt critiques, but also for spotting genuine global star potential.
• 2024/2025 Recent Projects: Cowell continued his production work across multiple talent franchises globally. A major project for 2024/2025 is the development of his new Netflix series, *Simon Cowell: The Next Act*, where he is on a mission to form the world's next breakout boy band, a return to the music mogul roots that created groups like One Direction.

Heidi Klum (Judge)

• Full Name: Heidi Kaulitz (née Klum)
• Born: June 1, 1973 (Age 52 in 2025)
• Nationality: German and American
• Role on AGT: Judge (since Season 8, with a break in Season 14)
• Signature Style: Known for her infectious enthusiasm, fashion-forward looks, and focus on acts that are unique, artistic, and visually stunning.
• 2024/2025 Recent Projects: Klum made headlines with her return to a familiar role, as she is set to host a new reboot of *Project Runway* on Freeform, marking her return to the fashion competition show after an eight-year hiatus. She also maintained her high-profile modeling career, including a divisive lingerie collaboration with the Italian brand Calzedonia in 2024.

Howie Mandel (Judge)

• Full Name: Howard Michael Mandel
• Born: November 29, 1955 (Age 70 in 2025)
• Nationality: Canadian
• Role on AGT: Judge (since Season 5)
• Signature Style: The longest-serving *AGT* judge, known for his love of comedy acts, his germophobia, and his tendency to be the most unpredictable on the panel.
• 2024/2025 Recent Projects: Mandel had a prolific 2024, releasing his first new comedy album in nearly 40 years, showcasing his enduring stand-up career. He also continued to host his popular podcast, *Howie Mandel Does Stuff*, and was involved in the Netflix series *Bulls the Game Show*. Furthermore, he helped launch the NBC show *Deal or No Deal Island* in 2024, a spin-off of his former hit game show.

Sofía Vergara (Judge)

• Full Name: Sofía Margarita Vergara Vergara
• Born: July 10, 1972 (Age 53 in 2025)
• Nationality: Colombian and American
• Role on AGT: Judge (since Season 15)
• Signature Style: Beloved for her vibrant personality, quick wit, and appreciation for acts that bring a high level of performance and showmanship.
• 2024/2025 Recent Projects: Vergara’s 2024 was marked by her dramatic and critically acclaimed turn as drug lord Griselda Blanco in the Netflix miniseries *Griselda*, which she also executive produced. This role demonstrated her range beyond her comedic work on *Modern Family* and has opened up new opportunities in Hollywood. She also had a voice role in the animated film *Despicable Me 4* (2024).

The Game-Changing Golden Buzzer Twist of Season 19

The most significant and talked-about change for *America's Got Talent* Season 19 was the unprecedented modification to the Golden Buzzer rule. This twist immediately injected a new level of excitement and competition into the audition rounds. In previous seasons, each of the four judges and host Terry Crews were generally limited to one Golden Buzzer push per season, sending a maximum of five acts straight to the live shows. For the 2024 season, that rule was dramatically altered.

The Nine-Buzzer Era

For Season 19, the producers announced that each of the four judges—Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Sofía Vergara—would be granted the power to press the Golden Buzzer *twice* during the audition process. * Four Judges x Two Buzzers: 8 Golden Buzzers * Host Terry Crews: 1 Golden Buzzer * Total Golden Buzzer Acts: 9 This change doubled the number of acts receiving an automatic pass from the judges, ensuring that nine incredible performers, rather than the usual five, were guaranteed a spot in the Live Shows. This meant more diverse talent, more emotional moments, and a much more crowded, high-stakes competition in the later rounds.

The Golden Buzzer Recipients of AGT 2024

The nine Golden Buzzer acts of Season 19 represented a stunning variety of genres and backgrounds. Notable recipients included: * Richard Goodall (Singer): Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer, who would go on to win the season. * Roni Sagi & Rhythm (Dog Act): Sofía Vergara’s Golden Buzzer. * Dee Dee Simon (Singer): Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer. * Hakuna Matata Acrobats (Acrobatics): Terry Crews' Golden Buzzer. * Learnmore Jonasi (Comedian): Another one of the acts to receive the coveted button. This significant increase in Golden Buzzer acts led to a more unpredictable season, as many fan-favorites were secured early, raising the bar for the remaining contestants who had to fight for a spot in the live shows through the traditional voting process.

The Breakout Stars and Winner of America's Got Talent 2024

The 2024 season culminated in a thrilling finale that saw a beloved underdog take the crown, highlighting the show's ability to turn ordinary people into international stars. The competition was fierce, featuring a wide range of top-tier talent from around the globe.

The Unlikely Champion: Richard Goodall

The winner of *America's Got Talent* Season 19 was Richard Goodall, a 55-year-old janitor from Terre Haute, Indiana. Goodall captivated the judges and the audience with his powerful, soulful singing voice and humble demeanor. His journey was a classic *AGT* Cinderella story, as he had taken his first-ever plane ride just to audition for the show. Goodall's victory in September 2024 earned him the $1 million prize and the headlining spot in the *America's Got Talent* Las Vegas show. Since his win, he has returned home but has been booking an increasing number of performances, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

The Top Finalists and Entity-Rich Acts

The Season 19 finale showcased a diverse Top 10, demonstrating the judges' commitment to variety and the global reach of the talent search. The final results were: * 1st Place: Richard Goodall (Singer) * 2nd Place: Roni Sagi & Rhythm (Dog Act) – A stunning, high-energy dog tricks performance. * 3rd Place: Sky Elements (Drone Group) – A mesmerizing drone precision group that created incredible visual spectacles. * 4th Place: Solange Kardinaly (Magician) – Known for her grand illusions and captivating stage presence. * Other Notable Finalists: The Top 10 also included acts like AIRFOOTWORKS (Acrobatic Duo), the dance group Brent Street, and the powerhouse vocalist Dee Dee Simon. Other memorable acts from the season that made it to the Live Shows included the dance group Legion Dance and the variety act Schumacher. The high number of Golden Buzzer acts in Season 19 meant that the Live Shows were packed with international talent, including acts like Hypers Kids Africa (Dance) and Illya & Olena (Acrobatics), creating one of the most competitive seasons ever seen on the NBC reality competition. The judges' decision to return, combined with the bold Golden Buzzer twist, solidified *America's Got Talent* 2024 as a landmark season for both the judges and the contestants.