This was posted on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
Amazing 12-year-old ventriloquist singer Darci Lynne took the season 12 crown on "America's Got Talent."
Ten-year-old Johns Creek singing phenom Angelica Hale couldn't fend off Lynne's combination of humor, ventriloquism skills and charm. But Hale's exceptional sweetness and vocal prowess helped her finish second.
And just think: classical singer Jackie Evancho - who was also 10 years old when she came on "America's Got Talent" in 2010 - came in second season five and her career is still going strong seven years later.
Both Darci and Angelica will perform at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas November 3 and 4, Angelica announced on Instagram after the show.
Based on polls, Lynne was the consensus favorite to win. Only Hale had a remote shot at upsetting her. Bottom line: America loves a good ventriloquist. Season two winner and fellow ventriloquist/singer Terry Fator is considered the most successful Vegas act to come out of the show. They even got to perform together during the finale.
Earlier in the finale, Angelica and Kechi did a trio with Kelly Clarkson on her hit song "Stronger." Clarkson noted that the finalists all get the same amount of airtime on the show as the winner. (Then again, she did win.)
Fifth place was the dog act Sara and Hero, which is a bit of a shocker but proof that Simon Cowell's push for the act early on was worthwhile. Fourth place was deaf singer Mandy Harvey. In third? Dance/light act Light Balance.
Amazingly, Evie Clair didn't finish in the top five. There were too many good singers splitting votes.
Personally, I'm just glad stand-up comic Preacher Lawson didn't make the top five. I never found him remotely funny. Manic, yes. Funny, no.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
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