America's Got Talent Semifinals Results Recap: The Top 12

Empty Lighthouse is a reader-supported site. This article may contain affiliate links to Amazon and other sites. We earn a commission on purchases made through these links.

It was the second round of the semifinals for NBC's hit show America's Got Talent, and 12 acts competed last night for a chance to earn their spot in the top 12 and ultimately win the grand prize of $1 million and giving a performance in Las Vegas.

After Maroon 5 kicked off tonight's live show with a performance, the judging was turned over to America as the results are in and the performers from last night's episode found out who advanced and who was sent home.

Last night's episode, the twentieth of the season, featured the final 12 entertainers as they performed live at Radio City Music Hall in front of judges Mel B, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, and Howard Stern.

Right away three acts were introduced as being in danger, and that only one would be saved by the Snapple Save; those acts were Blue Journey, Christian Stoinev, and Smoothini.

Joining the six acts already voted in from the first round of semifinals are: AcroArmy, Emil & Dariel, Mat Franco, Quintavious Johnson, Blue Journey and Christian Stoinev.

AcroArmy was the first act to be introduced into the finals. Ranging from ages 11 to 27, these acrobats compete nationwide and every member has been selected to U.S. National Team. They were brought together by choreographer Arthur Davis, a two-time World Champion acrobatic gymnast and a finalist on the first season of America's Got Talent.

The next act that was voted into the top 12 were cellists Emil & Dariel. Emil,16, and Dariel, 14, eclipse the boundaries of cello playing, mixing in new genres and sounds with their classical backgrounds.

They were taught to play the cello at the age of four by their grandfather. The young musicians couldn't help but express their excitement on Twitter.

Third to be announced was Mat Franco, a close up magician. Performance after performance he successfully blew the judges and audiences away with his tricks and illusions.

Franco grew up in Rhode Island was fascinated by magic at the age of four. He continued to practice and perform his magic interactive magic tricks through his high school and college years, and now performs full-time for audiences.

Twelve-year-old R&B singer Quintavious Johnson was the next performer to be announced as part of the final 12.

From singing in the choir at his church in Tennessee to the stage at Radio City Music Hall, Johnson has wowed audiences with his vocal talent at a such a young age.

America was able to vote for a contestant to save them from getting eliminated during the live show. The group that was Snapple Saved was Blue Journey a shadow dancing duo.

The dancers blew the judges with their originality and creativity in their act.

Stern even went so far as to say that they could even win it. Created by choreographer David Middendorp, the duo combines video projection, music, animation and dance to fascinate viewers.

The final spot in the top 12 came down the judges's decision as they had to choose between hand balancing entertainer Christian Stoinev and close up magician Smoothini. The final spot in the top 12 was given to Stoinev.

Christian Stoinev performed an extreme hand balancing act with his dog Scooby. Despite the judges believing that his performance could have been better, Stoinev and Scooby still advanced to the final 12.

Stoinev is a fifth generation performer who began performing at the age of five and was able to wow audiences throughout college as part of the Illinois State University Circus.

The six competitors who have already moved on are mystifier Mike Super, the band Sons of Serendip, singer/guitarist Miguel Dakota, singer Mara Justine, magicians David & Leeman, and singer Emily West.

The next episode of America's Got Talent airs Tuesday, September 9 at 9 p.m. and will feature the performances for the top 12 acts. For more information about the show and the competitors go to NBC.com.