The Judge Cuts of Season 11 of America's Got Talent aired from from July 12, 2016 to July 20, 2016. A total of 80 acts performed. 28 acts, along with 5 Golden Buzzer acts from the auditions, proceeded to the Quarterfinals, and 52 acts were rejected.
Process[]
The Judge Cuts round returned for its second year after its introduction in Season 10.
Serving as the middle round between the auditions and the live shows, 80 acts were pulled from the 100+ acts that were accepted by the judges in the Auditions. The Judge Cuts took place over four days; every day, 20 acts performed with only 7 moving on to the Quarterfinals.
Joining the main judging panel were four guest judges. While each regular judge was given a normal buzzer, each guest had only a Golden Buzzer he or she could press to send an act to the live shows without further deliberation as one of the 7 acts.
Guest Judges[]
| Ne-Yo | Reba McEntire | George Lopez | Louis Tomlinson |
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Week 1[]
Main article: Episode 1107
Singer-Songwriter Ne-Yo served as a guest judge. 20 acts participated, and 7 acts moved on.
Moved On:
- 1. Hara, Magician
- 3. Edgar, Family Band
- 8. Lori Mae Hernandez, Comedian
- 12. Jon Dorenbos, Magician (Ne-Yo's Golden Buzzer)
- 13. The Passing Zone, Juggling Duo
- 16. Ronee, Singer
- 20. Linkin' Bridge, Vocal Group
Eliminated:
- 2. Philippe and Marie-Lee, Acrobat Duo
- 4. Miniotics, Dance Group
- 5. Jumpers in Command, Jump Rope Group
- 6. Christopher, Dancer
- 7. Brennley Brown, Singer
- 9. John Ferraro, Danger Act
- 10. Jon Call, Anabolic Acrobat
- 11. Duo Guerrero, Highwire Duo
- 14. Julian Davis and The Hayburners, Bluegrass Band
- 15. Raii and Whitney Smith, Vocal Duo
- 17. Cory Kahaney, Comedian
- 18. Axel Perez, Balancing Acrobat
- 19. Rory Freeman, Dancer
Week 2[]
Main article: Episode 1108
Singer Reba McEntire served as a guest judge. 20 acts participated, and 7 acts moved on. Steven Brundage was one of the two contestants picked as a wildcard to go through to the Quarterfinals.
Moved On:
- 1. Kadie Lynn, Singer and Guitarist
- 2. Vello Vaher, Contortionist
- 7. Sofie Dossi, Contortionist (Reba McEntire's Golden Buzzer)
- 8. Moya Angela, Singer
- 12. Kadan Bart Rockett, Magician
- 14. Julia Scotti, Comedian
- 20. Deadly Games, Knife Throwing Duo
Eliminated:
- 3. House of Lewis, Vocal Group
- 4. Zach Sherwin, Rapper
- 5. Skylar Katz, Rapper
- 6. Erik Cavanaugh, Ballet Dancer
- 9. Parker Garrison, Dancer
- 10. Youngster, Dance Group
- 11. Cody Carter, Baton Twirler
- 13. Adam Grabowski, Comedian
- 15. OneVoice, A Cappella Group
- 16. RL Bell, Singer
- 17. Cecile & Mighty, Magician/Hand Balancer Duo
- 18. Steven Brundage, Magician
- 19. Gary Sladek, Trampolinist
Week 3[]
Main article: Episode 1109
Comedian George Lopez served as a guest judge. 20 acts participated, and 7 acts moved on.
Moved On:
- 2. Daniel Joyner, Singer
- 5. Blake Vogt, Magician
- 6. Alla and Daniel, Ballroom Duo
- 9. Tape Face, Mime
- 14. Malevo, Malambo Group (George Lopez's Golden Buzzer)
- 16. Ryan Stock & AmberLynn, Sideshow Duo
- 20. Brian Justin Crum, Pop Singer
Eliminated:
- 1. José and Carrie, Dog Act
- 3. Ilan & Josh, Beatboxer Duo
- 4. The Finest Family, DJ and Dance Group
- 7. Charles & Rose, Singer and Dancer
- 8. Mason Bumba, Martial Artist
- 10. Good Girl, Vocal Group
- 11. Dominique Dy, Singer and Pianist
- 12. Madison Watkins, Singer
- 13. Charlie Plaçais, Aerialist
- 15. Ian Stewart, Danger Act
- 17. Al Ducharme, Comedian
- 18. Ryan Beard, Comedy Singer and Pianist
- 19. Sam Morril, Comedian
Week 4[]
Main article: Episode 1110
One Direction superstar Louis Tomlinson served as a guest judge. 20 acts participated, and 7 acts moved on. FLIP was one of the two contestents to be picked as a wildcard to go through to the Quarterfinals.
Moved On:
- 1. ThroWings, Trapeze Duo
- 5. Outlawz, Dance Group
- 8. Jayna Brown, Singer (Louis Tomlinson's Golden Buzzer)
- 11. Viktor Kee, Juggler
- 12. Sos and Victoria, Quick Change Duo
- 16. Musicality, Vocal Group
- 20. The Clairvoyants, Mentalist Duo
Eliminated:
- 2. Campbell Walker Fields, Singer and Pianist
- 3. FLIP, Dance Group
- 4. Shane and Shannon Jensen, Ballroom Duo
- 6. Ary Hill, Singer and Guitarist
- 7. Avonlea Martin, Singer and Pianist
- 9. John Hetlinger, Singer
- 10. Nathan Bockstahler, Comedian
- 13. Jon Bernhardt, Thereminist (Buzzed out)
- 14. Jonathan Nosan, Contortionist
- 15. The Amazing Armando, Magician (Buzzed out)
- 17. Oksana Grishina, Dancer
- 18. The Baron of the Universe, Sideshow Performer
- 19. D.J. Demers, Comedian
Did Not Appear[]
The following acts were not seen in the competition after their auditions. Some acts were cut before the Judge Cuts, some had only intended to perform once for the judges, and others withdrew for personal reasons.
- Trio Grace, Acrobat Trio
- Noelle Bean, Singer and Guitarist
- Les Bunheads, Comedy Ballet Duo
- Tia Simone, Singer
- DesiHoppers, Dance Group
- The John Rothman Dancers, Dance Group
- Josh Waldron, Comedian
- Miranda Cunha, Singer
- Marian Mulock, Singer and Keyboardist
- Patrick and Ginger, Dog Act
- The Gloryland Pastors Choir, Gospel Choir
- Quatuor Stomp, Comedy Acrobat Group
- Southern Dance Academy, Clogging Group
- Bob and Trish, Juggling Duo
- The Brat Pack, Dance Group
- The Zeman Duo, Rollerblade Duo
- The Flying Morgans, Circus Group
- Tomonari Ishiguro, Yo-Yoer
- The Prodigy Dance Crew, Dance Group
- Sila Sveta, Videomapping Act
Withdrew[]
The following acts withdrew form the competition before the Judge Cuts for personal reasons.
- Cinematic Pop, Classical Pop Band
- Dan Meyer, Sword Swallower
- Elevenplay, Dance Group
- Elias & Zion Phoenix, Pianist Duo
- Russian Bar Trio, Russian Bar Trio
Wild Card[]
The following acts were eliminated in the Judge Cuts, but returned as Wild Card acts for the Quarterfinals.
- FLIP, Dance Group
- Sila Sveta, Videomapping Act
- Steven Brundage, Magician
Audition Golden Buzzer Acts[]
The following acts were given the Golden Buzzer during the audition round; as a result they were allowed to skip the Judge Cuts and advance straight to the Quarterfinals.
Moved On:
- Laura Bretan, Opera Singer (Mel B's Golden Buzzer)
- Grace VanderWaal, Singer and Ukulelist (Howie Mandel's Golden Buzzer)
- Sal Valentinetti, Jazz Singer (Heidi Klum's Golden Buzzer)
- Calysta Bevier, Singer (Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer)
- Dorothy Williams, Burlesque Dancer (Nick Cannon's Golden Buzzer)
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