America’s Got Talent contestants who became more famous than winners after being eliminated including Jackie Evancho

One contestant revealed that their embarrassment about getting eliminated nearly kept them away from the stage

SEVERAL America’s Got Talent contestants have become more famous than the season winners they competed against despite losing the televised competition.

From the youngest platinum-selling solo artist Jackie Evancho to YouTube musical sensation Lindsey Stirling, the contestants were too talented to be denied.

Several America’s Got Talent contestants have become more famous than the season winners they competed against despite losingCredit: GMA

From the youngest platinum-selling solo artist Jackie Evancho to YouTube musical sensation Lindsey Stirling, the contestants were too talented to be deniedCredit: Getty
America’s Got Talent, created by Simon Cowell, 64, sees a variety of talented participants from across the United States, compete for a cash prize and a chance to headline a show on the Las Vegas Strip.

The acts included singing, dancing, comedy, magic, stunts, and more variety.

Participants attempt to secure a place in the live episodes of a season, by impressing a panel of judges – whose seats are currently filled by Simon, Howie Mandel, 68; Heidi Klum, 50; and Sofia Vergara, 51 – with their audition.

The acts that reach the live episodes compete against each other for the judges and the public’s vote to reach the live final where the season winner will be voted on.

Here are the finalists, runner-ups, and participants who found fame despite failing to secure the big win.

JACKIE EVANCHO

In 2010, classical crossover singer Jackie Evancho, 24, competed in the fifth season of the televised talent competition, finishing runner-up to soul singer, Michael Grimm, 45.

Classical crossover singer Jackie Evancho, 24, competed in the fifth season of AGTCredit: Getty

She finished runner-up to soul singer, Michael GrimmCredit: Getty
The highly-anticipated season finale was the most watched in the reality program’s history with approximately 16.41 million viewers.

Even though the then-10-year-old Jackie lost in the finale, the holiday release of her O Holy Night EP later that year made the finalist the best-selling debut artist of 2010.

The EP also made her the youngest top-10 debut artist in US history and the youngest solo artist ever to go platinum in the US.

In 2011, the singer’s first full-length album, Dream with Me, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Billboard would also rank Jackie as the top Classical Albums Artist of 2011.

While on her first concert tour, The Company You Keep star would become the youngest person to perform a solo concert at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Jackie would open up about her success after America’s Got Talent when she returned to perform on the show.

She told host Terry Crews, “When I didn’t win, I, at the time, was assuming that I was going to be just going back home to my normal life… but my life completely changed after America’s Got Talent.

Even though the then-10-year-old Jackie lost in the finale, the holiday release of her O Holy Night EP later that year made the finalist the best-selling debut artist of 2010Credit: Getty
“I was performing all over the place, Japan, Russia, London. As a 10-year-old it was crazy.”

Jackie joked, “You don’t how many times people have [gone], ‘You won.’ No, I didn’t but thanks.”

In 2017, Jackie performed the United States national anthem at the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump and continued breaking records when she became the youngest person ever to perform a concert series at Café Carlyle.

Recently, the singer returned to reality TV when she appeared in 2020 as a contestant on The Masked Singer.

LINDSEY STIRLING

The same season, violinist, songwriter, and dancer Lindsey Stirling was eliminated in the quarter-finals of AGTCredit: Getty

The judges loved her unique sound but weren’t keen on her dancing and marketabilityCredit: Getty
The same season as Jackie, violinist, songwriter, and dancer Lindsey Stirling, 37, was eliminated in the quarter-finals of AGT.

The judges loved her unique sound but weren’t keen on her dancing and marketability.

Then-judge Piers Morgan, 59, even told the performer she wasn’t “good enough to mix playing and dancing,” per Watch Mojo.

After elimination from the competition, Lindsey found success performing original music and covers of classical and popular songs blended with her unique style on YouTube.

In 2012, her music video Crystallize finished as the eighth-most watched video on the social media platform that calendar year.

In 2013, the Shatter Me artist’s cover version of Radioactive with the a capella group and Season 3 winners of NBC’s The Sing-Off, Pentatonix, won Response of the Year in the first YouTube Music Awards.

Lindsey achieved 1 million singles sold worldwide by August 2014.

Her YouTube channel currently has 14.1 million subscribers and nearly 4 billion total views.

Lindsey’s eponymous debut album was nominated at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards for Top Dance/Electronic Albums.

The following year, her second album, Shatter Me, won the award for Top Dance/Electronic Album.

Last year, Lindsey opened up about being embarrassed about her elimination on The Allison Hagendorf Show.

She told the host, “I remember being so embarrassed. I can’t even describe the humiliation.

“‘Cause knowing that like literally everybody I knew was tuned in and watched and I was like, ‘I don’t want to go back to college, I don’t want to go back to my school, I can’t face people again – I’m so embarrassed.'”

Lindsey continued, “The critique was pretty cruel. They used words like, ‘You sounded like rats being strangled,’ just like beyond what needed to be said.”

The musician revealed that after the heartbreak of elimination and the brutal feedback, she knew she wasn’t done yet.

“You can never let one moment of your life define your existence,” she added.

MELISSA VILLASENOR

Impressionist and comedian Melissa Villaseñor competed on Season 6 of AGTCredit: Getty

Her comedy skills propelled her to the semi-finals, and she would eventually land a gig on Saturday Night LiveCredit: Getty
Impressionist and comedian Melissa Villaseñor competed on Season 6 of AGT.

Her comedy skills propelled her to the semi-finals where she would lose to the season’s eventual winner, jazz singer Landau Murphy Jr.

Though she was eliminated, Melissa’s comedic ability didn’t go unnoticed she would eventually land a spot on Saturday Night Live in 2016 as a featured player.

The comic previously tried out in 2009 but failed to land the gig.

Her debut was an impression of comedian Sarah Silverman in the Family Feud: Political Edition sketch.

She appeared on the sketch comedy show between seasons 42 and 47 and was promoted to a repertory player for season 44 – the first Latina to do so.

She left SNL in 2022 but continues to perform both voiceover and acting work and is currently the voice of Nellie Ramirez Humphrey in the animated Disney Channel series, Primos.

JABBAWOCKEEZ

The Jabbawockeez, a hip-hop dance crew from San Diego, California, appeared briefly in Season 2 of AGTCredit: Getty

After eliminating from AGT, the Jabbawockeez, seen here with Taylor Swift, reemerged on America’s Best Dance Crew and beat Status Quo in the finaleCredit: Getty
In 2007, the Jabbawockeez, a hip-hop dance crew from San Diego, California, appeared briefly in Season 2 of AGT.

At the time of their audition, the group consisted of members Gary “Gee One” Kendell, Randy “DJ Wish One” Bernal, Phil “Swagger Boy” Tayag, Ben “B-Tek” Chung, Kevin “KB” Brewer, Chris “Cristyle” Gatdula, Rynan “Kid Rainen” Paguio, and Jeff “Phi” Nguyen.

Though they impressed the judges, they were cut after the Vegas Round.

The next year, the Jabbawockeez reemerged on America’s Best Dance Crew and beat Status Quo in the finale.

The Jabbawockeez would eventually headline their own Vegas production titled MÜS.I.C, making them the first dance team to headline a Vegas show, per Watch Mojo.

They have since headlined two more performances, PRiSM and JREAMZ, at the Luxor and MGM Grand.

THE TEXAS TENORS

The classical crossover trio The Texas Tenors finished fourth in the fourth season of America’s Got TalentCredit: Getty

Formed by country singer JC Fisher, pop singer Marcus Collins, and opera singer John Hagen, the tro have released five studio and three live albumsCredit: Getty
The classical crossover trio The Texas Tenors finished fourth in the fourth season of America’s Got Talent that saw country singer Kevin Skinner win the grand prize.

Formed in 2009 by country singer JC Fisher, pop singer Marcus Collins, and opera singer John Hagen, the tro have released five studio and three live albums since coming short on AGT.

Their album A Collection of Broadway & American Classics reached No. 1 on the Billboard Classical Chart and in 2014, the group’s 2013 PBS special with The Phoenix Symphony, in which they performed songs from their second album You Should Dream, was nominated for five Emmys.

The Texas Tenors would win three out of the five.

JON DORENBOS

Former Philadelphia Eagle Jon Dorenbos, 43, competed in the eleventh season of AGT as a magician.

The two-time pro-bowler, who received an honorary Super Bowl ring in 2018 when the Eagles defeated the Patriots, finished third.

Ukulele player Grace VanderWaal won the competition.

Jon has performed magic shows in Las Vegas and Hollywood and also worked as a motivational speaker.

Jon returned to the talent competition on America’s Got Talent: The Champions.

The long-snapper-turned-magician advanced to the show final but was later eliminated in the final twelve.

Former Philadelphia Eagle Jon Dorenbos competed in the eleventh season of AGT as a magicianCredit: Getty

The two-time pro-bowler finished third in a season that saw ukulele player Grace VanderWaal win the competitionCredit: Getty

He has performed magic shows in Las Vegas and Hollywood and also worked as a motivational speakerCredit: Getty