Waltham's Magician On America's Got Talent Finals: Will He Win?

WALTHAM, MA — It's down to the wire at America's Got Talent after the final show, Sept. 18 where Waltham's Shin Lim took the stage with 10 others in the finals. The actual finals.

The final acts performed from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST and voting opened online and on the AGT app. Only one act will win the top prize - $1 million. And this was their last chance to win over America.

Find out who wins:>> Waltham Magician On America's Got Talent: Results Night

Performing tonight were violinist Brian King Joseph, opera singer Daniel Emmet, Commedian Vicki Barbolak, singer Glennis Grace, the acrobatic group Zurcaroh, comedian Samuel J. Comroe, singer Courtney Hadwin, Lim, then husband/wife acrobatic act Duo Transcend and then Michael Ketterer.

Lim was in it to win it and arts and entertainment writers said Lim and young singer Hadwin were the two that were favorited to win. But as the night started, it was standing ovation after standing ovation with the judges talking about how the show was one of the best.

The show was off to a roaring start with the judges on their feet after Joseph blew the judges away when he rocked a fiddle rendition of "Heartless," by Kanye West.

"You know how to make an entrance, don't you Brian," said judge Simon Cowell.

Next up was Daniel Emmet who got a standing ovation from the judges after his Ed Sheeran performance in Italian.

"You have been unstoppable," said judge Heidi Klum. Cowell praised Emmit's performance as his best so far.

Third up was Barbolak who rolled up in a pink flamed out golf cart and her signature leopard print - until she took her cover off and hung out in her bathing suit to a standing ovation.

"I love everything about you," said Klum. Cowell wondered aloud about making Barbolak and her trailer park friends into a realty show.

Glennis Grace took the stage next singing a version of Snow Patrol's "I'll sing it one last time for you."

"Glennis, that was absolutely sensational," said Cowell who called her performance "immaculate."

Zurcaroh, the acrobatic show group based in Austria and directed by Brazilian choreographer Peterson da Cruz Hora, didn't disappoint, either. Their performance had the house screaming at its night jungle theme that sent the smaller acrobats into the air flipping and spinning.

"I have a funny feeling that you could actually win this show," said judge Mel B.

Klum called it a "jaw dropping" performance.

Things got a bit serious in the tape explaining how Samuel J. Comroe who is diagnosed with Tourette syndrome came to be a comedian. But that somber vibe didn't stay that way for long.

Judges were all smiles after his set.

"My cheeks are hurting from laughing so much," said Mel B.

Courtney Hadwin, the 13-year-old British singer was the one bloggers were predicting would be the act to beat for Lim. Hadwin said in the opening tape she was inspired by singers like Janis Joplin and Otis Redding and James Brown.

She put her own spin on Tina Turner's "River Deep, Mountain High" complete with Hadwin's characteristic scream and funky dance, tossing off her jacket.

"You are on fire," said Howie Mandel. " I love everything about you... We are watching a superstar in the making right here."

Cowell, clearly impressed, too, said "you're more than a great singer, you're like a trend setter."

The magician Shin Lim was slated to go on after that. But how would it go?

"Every time this magician performs we are like 'what?'" Host Tyra Banks said ahead of Lim's performance.

Lim was originally studying to be a concert pianist, but after being diagnosed with carpel tunnel syndrome chose to continue with just magic.

He opened his act with a piano performance, turned around to face the audience and pulled cards out of thin air, then sent music on his piano on fire. He had Banks help him as he made the deck turn into all nines and then all nine of hearts. At one point he picked up a six of hearts and had it transform into a nine of hearts in front of the camera.

This had the judges up on their feet once again praising him for an act that Lim said he'd never before performed.

"Oh my god, Shin," said Cowell. "Not only was it an amazing act, the whole presentation ... this was so good Shin. You know what? You might actually win the competition," said Cowell.

"You could have picked any card" said Mel B to Banks. "It could have been anything that you picked." Then turning to Shin, "You turned that into a whole show That was pure magic."

Duo Transcend's acrobatic act was the penultimate act. The married acrobats performed on a trapeze while he was blindfolded. The act included the same stunt where he dropped her in a prior performance.

"I'm not normally a huge fan of this kind of act, but you two are a different level," said Cowell. "You are absolutely sensational."

The final act? Michael Ketterer a nurse and singer who took on "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."

"I would love to be able to give your family the million dollars. You are just an amazing guy. You were nervous but that's what makes you human," said Cowell.

How to vote (voting is open until 7 a.m. EST Sept. 19)

Previously:

Waltham's Magician On America's Got Talent Heads To Finals

Waltham Magician On America's Got Talent Heads To Semifinals

Waltham's Magician On America's Got Talent Heads To Semifinals Round 2

Photo courtesy America's Got Talent