AGT Season 20 Week 2: Three reach semifinals, seven eliminated

Live episodes of Americas Got Talent Season 20 continued this week with dramatic results and a mix of triumphs and surprising eliminations. The second week of live quarterfinals produced three new acts voted through to the semifinals, confirmed two contestants already guaranteed a spot in the finals via golden buzzers, and sent seven acts home. The episode underscored both the unpredictability of audience voting and the evolving shape of a milestone season heavy on golden buzzer moments.

Performing under difficult circumstances, New Orleans singer Jourdan Blue emerged as one of the performers to advance. Blue, a season frontrunner who received a golden buzzer in the premiere and has amassed millions of streams, revealed he suffered food poisoning before his live quarterfinal performance. He said he had vomited three times before going on and that medics had attended him. Producers offered to air his dress rehearsal recording instead, but Blue chose to perform live, explaining, "That's just not me." He later reflected, "Fortunately, powering through the nausea paid off." Blue secured enough public votes to move on to the semifinals.

The week also saw 10 year old guitarist Bay...