All About “America’s Got Talent’s” Coveted Million-Dollar Prize
All About “America’s Got Talent’s” Coveted Million-Dollar Prize
Christopher Rudolph, Kelly AllenThu, September 24, 2026 at 2:24 PM UTC
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Howie Mandel, Mel B, Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara on ‘America’s Got Talent’Credit: Trae Patton/NBC -
The season 21 finale of America’s Got Talent aired on Sept. 23
The America’s Got Talent champion gets money and a chance to headline a show in Las Vegas
Nene Royal was crowned the winner of season 21
America’s Got Talent has named a new winner!
On Sept. 23, the competition series wrapped up its 21st season and crowned Nene Royal, a 16-year-old singer-guitarist, as the competition’s latest champion. Going into the finale, 10 acts — from singers, to magicians, to animal acts — performed with the hope of earning the top title and grand prize.
Celebrity judges Sofía Vergara, Howie Mandel, Mel B and Simon Cowell, as well as some guest judges who stepped in for Cowell, have been along for the wild ride this season, but the winner was up to the viewers.
With America’s Got Talent season 21 ending, what did the winner receive? Here’s all about the America’s Got Talent grand prize and what the winner walked away with.
What does the winner of America’s Got Talent get?
Nene Royal, Terry Crews and Geno PloegerCredit: Trae Patton/NBC
The winner of America’s Got Talent receives $1,000,000.
After winning season 19, Richard Goodall, who wowed viewers and the judges with his powerful voice, went back to being a janitor, at least part-time, per NBC. Goodall also performs live, and in August 2025, he released his debut single, as he shared on his Instagram.
Other winners, like Dustin Tavella — the magician who won season 16 — planned on using the money to give back.
“It’s weird — [the prize] is the part I’ve been the least excited about, just because the idea of having a platform to share our stories and connect with people is just amazing,” Tavella told PEOPLE about the money.
Tavella added that the reason he was excited, however, is because he and his wife Kari have “gone through some really hard times financially.
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“We used to run a homeless ministry,” he continued. “We’ve just always poured all of our resources and everything that we’ve had out to people. And because of that, we’ve had people pouring into us.”
Tavella added that he wanted to use the money to help support the “people in our lives.”
How is the America’s Got Talent winner paid out?
“America’s Got Talent” season 18 auditionsCredit: Trae Patton/NBC
America’s Got Talent winners can choose to receive their prize money as a cash value sum or be paid out annually.
A disclaimer at the end of each episode reads: “$1,000,000 is payable in a financial annuity over 40 years, or the contestant may choose to receive the present cash value of such annuity” before taxes.
According to a 2016 Forbes report, if winners take the lump sum, they will receive a payout of around $300,000, pre-tax. If they go with the 40-year-long annuity option, they will get about $25,000 annually, before taxes.
Does the winner of America’s Got Talent get anything besides money?
“America’s Got Talent” season 9 winner magician Mat FrancoCredit: Bryan Steffy/WireImage
Aside from the money, America’s Got Talent winners are also able to roll the dice in the Sin City spotlight. The winner will get the chance to headline their own show in Las Vegas, per NBC.
According to The Wrap, season 18 winner Adrian Stoica and his dog Hurricane performed in the headliner slot at America’s Got Talent Presents Superstars Live at the Luxor Hotel and Casino.
Do the America’s Got Talent contestants get paid?
Micah Palace on “America’s Got Talent”Credit: Trae Patton/NBC
No, America’s Got Talent contestants are not paid for their time on the show. They do not receive “additional compensation, payments, residuals, reuse fees or other payments.”
The contestants don’t get a paycheck, but they are provided other essential services while competing on the show, such as food, living accommodations, travel, transportation and more.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
