“America’s Got Talent” is a well-recognized reality competition show, standing shoulder to shoulder with “American Idol” and “Dancing With the Stars.” Since its debut in 2006, this unique talent show has showcased a wide array of participant skills, including singing, dancing, magic, ventriloquism, and more. Contestants aim to impress the panel of judges to progress through the rounds and reach the finals. A standout feature within the show is the coveted Golden Buzzer, which has become synonymous with “AGT.”

The Golden Buzzer is a large, gold-colored button that, when pressed, allows an act to skip the subsequent judged rounds and proceed directly to the fan-voted quarter-finals. Introduced in Season 9, the rules surrounding the Golden Buzzer have evolved, yet it remains a core element of the show. For Season 20, each judge, as well as the host Terry Crews, can press the Golden Buzzer twice during audition rounds, fast-tracking 10 acts to potential success.

Pressing the Golden Buzzer is one of the most exciting moments on “America’s Got Talent,” as it halts the show briefly to shower the chosen act with golden confetti and grants them a direct path to the quarter-finals. This action reflects the belief that the act deserves to bypass other judged rounds. It’s often accompanied by emotional exchanges, dramatic gestures, and tears, adding an exhilarating or tense atmosphere to the competition.

There have been instances of a Golden Buzzer press causing a dispute among the judges, with some of them feeling the act that’s just been put through isn’t worthy. On the other hand, it sometimes leads to unanimous agreement. Either way, it’s considered a show-stopper. However, while it certainly has its appeal to fans, some have argued that the Golden Buzzer has been played out and used too often. Does it need a new angle or a total shake-up? Perhaps, but there’s no sign that the Golden Buzzer is going away anytime soon on “America’s Got Talent.”

Since being introduced in Season 9 of “America’s Got Talent” to save an act from elimination, the Golden Buzzer has allowed dozens of performers to bypass major hurdles in the competition, and multiple Golden Buzzer earners have gone on to scoop the top prize. Between Season 9 and Season 19, seven Golden Buzzer earners have won the entire competition, with the person who initially pushed the Golden Buzzer often relishing in that winner’s success as if it were their own.

Some of the most memorable “America’s Got Talent” winners who earned the coveted Golden Buzzer include the then-12-year-old ukulele-playing singer-songwriter Grace VanderWaal (who was behind that song in Windex’s “The Story of Lucy” commercial) in Season 11, the then-12-year-old ventriloquist Darci Lynne in Season 12, and the spoken word poet Brandon Leake in Season 15. Only time will tell how many more Golden Buzzer earners will go on to sweep the competition before the well-worn stunt is graciously ushered off the “America’s Got Talent” stage.